Why this matters
When a manager in Ghana asks "which laptop should we buy for the new accounts officer?" or a user says "it is too slow", you need to know what each part of a computer does. Adverts ask for hardware installation and repair, and interviewers often ask you to name the parts and explain what they do.
The main parts
- Processor (CPU). The chip that does the calculations. Faster processors with more cores handle more work at once. You will see names like Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5; the generation (how new it is) matters as much as the number.
- Memory (RAM). Short term working space for programs that are open now. It empties when the computer switches off. Too little RAM makes a computer slow when several programs or browser tabs are open. Office machines today are much more comfortable with 8 GB or more.
- Storage. Where files and programs live permanently. A hard disk drive (HDD) has spinning platters and is slow and fragile. A solid state drive (SSD) has no moving parts and is far faster. Storage is measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB).
- Motherboard. The main board that connects everything. Its design decides which processor, memory and storage types fit.
- Power supply (PSU). Converts mains electricity into the low voltages the parts need. Laptops use an external charger plus a battery.
- Graphics. Most office computers use graphics built into the processor. Design and gaming machines may add a separate graphics card.