Computer Hardware – Build your own PC

Understanding computer hardware

It seems there has never been a more important time to understand computer hardware than now. The western world already revolves around computers and no doubt, technology will become more and more advanced. If you don’t want to be left behind in the digital age, learning to build you own PC can be a great way to understand more about how computer hardware works.

Buying computer hardware

Never before has it been easier to build your own PC, all it needs is the right computer hardware and guidelines you can find easily on the internet. Building your own computer not only makes you familiar with computer hardware and systems, it helps you understand computers in general. It’s true that computers are cheaper now than ever, and it might be tempting to buy one off the shelf, but if you are a real PC enthusiast or want to understand your PC better, than buying the components and computer hardware can be a more fulfilling option. It’s true you can buy computers off the shelf cheaper than you can build them, but there can be differences in the quality of the computer hardware used that reflects the lower price. Of course if time is money to you, building your own computer isn’t an option.

Benefits of building a PC

If you are building your own PC you can ensure you only use high quality computer hardware, but it’s also true many off the shelf computers are high quality. But building your own computer means you don’t have to use generic computer hardware. You can hand pick the components and ensure you get good quality computer hardware that will perform.

Community of enthusiasts

If you are a DIY computer builder, you can find loads of information on the internet for assistance, guidelines and support. You needn’t feel intimidated by computer hardware, and there are a lot of computer enthusiasts out there who can offer advice.

When it comes to warranties, many of the computer hardware components you buy will come with their own warranties if you buy a good brand name.

Computer hardware and software

The benefit of building your own computer means you can decide what software your computer hardware will run and set it up the way you want to set it up. One of the benefits of learning how computer hardware works means you can also upgrade your PC as and when you need to rather than waiting for a shop-bought PC to go out of date.

Some of the computer hardware you will need to get you started includes:

• A PC Case
• Floppy Disk Drive and CD-ROM Drive
• Hard Drive
• Power supply
• Memory modules
• Processor and Processor cooling fan
• Motherboard
• Keyboard and mouse

http://www.pcmag.com/

Computer hardware for Creative Types

If you are an artist, designer or into visual graphics, than make sure you buy the right computer hardware.

Computer hardware has evolved

Computer hardware has evolved so much that it can run some outstanding software. Of course, buying a computer depends on what you want to achieve. If you are more of a words-person or just want to use Microsoft software on your hardware than there is some great straight forward computer hardware available. But if you are looking to direct your own movie, or you are a professional photographer, Apple hardware has some great packages available.

Apple hardware and software

On an Apple, computer hardware and software work together in a user friendly way. They pride themselves on being simple and un-geeky to use. And if you are a visually creative type, Macs are traditionally used thanks to the suite of software the hardware supports.

Computer hardware for creative projects

One of the reasons Macs are so desirable for creative-types is the fact you can produce amazing things and can transform photos, music and video into creative projects. Macs allow even those who don’t know a thing about computer hardware to make their own high-quality websites, photo books, DVDs, songs, slideshows, CDs, calendars, cards, podcasts and just about any other audio/visual item you could think of.

Making cool stuff

Computer hardware on many models and designs now lets you make amazing stuff on your pc or Apple. iLife is a suite of software that Apple computer hardware supports. Things like producing DVD’s, creating your own books, blogs or even make your own music are things you can do with any software, but if you are buying computer hardware primarily for visual and media needs, the iLife software works hand in hand. You can lift a photo from your photo album and burn it onto a DVD or add it to a blog easily and simply.

Create amazing work

Whether you buy a PC or an Apple, computer hardware has evolved so much today that you can be the author of your own art and create amazing work independently in your own front room.

Ultimate democratic art form

In fact, although computer hardware is the domain of the scientists, boffins and geeks, thanks to them anybody can access hardware to run software that can help them create their own movies, write blogs, record podcasts and publish their work online for the world to enjoy. Many blogs have already taken the publishing world by storm after being picked up by agents and turned into bestselling books. With the help of the right computer hardware, the world of creativity has never been so democratic and accessible to all. Contact SOHO IT London for more solutions.

Computer hardware for Creative Types

Computer hardware has evolved

Computer hardware has evolved so much that it can run some outstanding software. Of course, buying a computer depends on what you want to achieve. If you are more of a words-person or just want to use Microsoft software on your hardware than there is some great straight forward computer hardware available. But if you are looking to direct your own movie, or you are a professional photographer, Apple hardware has some great packages available.

Apple hardware and software

On an Apple, computer hardware and software work together in a user friendly way. They pride themselves on being simple and un-geeky to use. And if you are a visually creative type, Macs are traditionally used thanks to the suite of software the hardware supports.

Computer hardware for creative projects

One of the reasons Macs are so desirable for creative-types is the fact you can produce amazing things and can transform photos, music and video into creative projects. Macs allow even those who don’t know a thing about computer hardware to make their own high-quality websites, photo books, DVDs, songs, slideshows, CDs, calendars, cards, podcasts and just about any other audio/visual item you could think of.

Making cool stuff

Computer hardware on many models and designs now lets you make amazing stuff on your pc or Apple. iLife is a suite of software that Apple computer hardware supports. Things like producing DVD’s, creating your own books, blogs or even make your own music are things you can do with any software, but if you are buying computer hardware primarily for visual and media needs, the iLife software works hand in hand. You can lift a photo from your photo album and burn it onto a DVD or add it to a blog easily and simply.

Create amazing work

Whether you buy a PC or an Apple, computer hardware has evolved so much today that you can be the author of your own art and create amazing work independently in your own front room.

Ultimate democratic art form

In fact, although computer hardware is the domain of the scientists, boffins and geeks, thanks to them anybody can access hardware to run software that can help them create their own movies, write blogs, record podcasts and publish their work online for the world to enjoy. Many blogs have already taken the publishing world by storm after being picked up by agents and turned into bestselling books. With the help of the right computer hardware, the world of creativity has never been so democratic and accessible to all. http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/pc

Computer Hardware – a History

Computer Hardware – a History

The dictionary defines ‘computer’ as any programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data.

Computer hardware evolved as data storage, calculation and data processing became important elements in work and life. In fact, the earliest computer hardware is thought to be record keeping aids such as clay shapes that represented items in the real world – the early mechanics of merchants and accountants of the past. From the abacus and the slide rule came analogue and later, the electronic computer hardware known today.

A timeline of the history of computer hardware:

• 1632 the first mechanical calculator was built by Wilhelm Schickard. It used cogs and gears and became the predecessor for computer hardware.
• 1801 punched card technology began and by 1890 sorting machines were handling data, the first computer hardware and installations used punched cards until the 1970s.
• 1820, Charles Xavier Thomas created the first mass-produced calculator.
• 1835, Charles Babbage described his analytical engine, which was the layout of a general-purpose programmable computer.
• 1909, Percy Ludgate designed a programmable mechanical computer.
• 1914, a central component in computer hardware – the binary numeral system- was described by Leibniz.
• 1930s, desktop mechanical calculators, cash registers and accounting machines were introduced.
• By the 1960s, calculators advanced with integrated circuits and microprocessors.
• Digital computer hardware replaced analogue computers.

Digital computer hardware

The era of the computer as we know it today began with developments during the Second World War as researchers and scientists were spurred on by the military.

1960s and beyond

‘Third generation’ computer hardware took off post 1960 thanks to the invention of the integrated circuit or microchip. This led to the microprocessor which in turn led to the microcomputer – computer hardware that could be owned by individuals and small businesses. Steve Wozniak co-founded Apple Computer and is credited with developing the first mass market computer, although the KIM-1 and Altair 8800 came first.

Evolution in computer hardware

After the 1970s the personal computer and evolution in computer hardware exploded across the western world. Microsoft, Apple and many other PC companies fuelled the market and today, these companies are still striving to reduce the size and price of computer hardware while improving its capacity enabling legal case management software and more to be available.

Computer hardware – an overview

Computer hardware and software

Computers are part of our everyday life – they have infiltrated our work places and homes. In fact, computers have transformed how we communicate, shop, work and entertain ourselves. You may use a computer every day, but do you know the difference between your computer hardware and software for instance?

Computer hardware – digital circuitry

Computer hardware is the actual physical computer which is made up of digital circuitry. The hardware is usually fixed, unless you need to upgrade your memory to run certain software. Software can be added according to what you want your computer to perform. An easy way to think of the difference between computer hardware and software is to imagine a television set as the hardware and the TV programmes as the software. The software can vary – just as TV stations such as Free-view, Digital and Sky – but you will need the right computer hardware to run the software, just as you need the right kind of TV for digital.

Cars to microwaves

Computer hardware is embedded in systems and is the machinery that makes everything from cars to microwaves and CD players work, but most people think of personal computers when they think of computer hardware, even though pc’s form a small part of computer production – about 0.2%.

So what exactly does typical pc hardware consist of?

Computer hardware is made up of a case in a desktop or computer tower. It features a system board or central processing unit with a computer fan to keep it cool. If fans fail, this is the usual reason why a computer overheats and burns out. Other features in your computer hardware include:

• RAM (Random Access Memory) which helps you run programmes and store short term data. The more RAM you have in your computer hardware, the faster your PC will be.
• Controllers that sit on the system board include those that control the hard disk, floppy disc, CD-ROM or any other drives.
• A Graphics card for the computer display.
• Controllers to connect your computer to external devices such as a printer.

Computer hardware also includes external machinery such as the keyboard, modem, mouse, joystick, webcam and speakers etc.

Computer hardware transformed

Computer hardware has transformed thanks to massive developments in technology – Computer hardware evolved with microcomputer architecture. Steve Wozniak, who co-founded Apple, is credited with developing the first mass-market home computer in the 1970s. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laptop