Learn the basics of computer hardware and operating systems: Part 1

As you read in previous discussion / chat (blog) with ChatGPT, we can now start exploring each topic one by one. As previously mentioned in blog and also written as one of limitation of this AI tool, the answers may not be accurate or exhaustive therefore there are some topics such as administering office365 which I will brief later. Now, in this blog you will learn basics of computer hardware and OS. Originally, it was just overview of some topics so I had to tweek input to provide detailed response. If you are already aware of these concepts, you may wish to skip chatGPT response and read last few lines from my experience. Let’s continue and read the response

Computer Hardware: Computer hardware refers to the physical components that make up a computer system. Some of the major hardware components include:

• Central processing unit (CPU): This is the “brain” of the computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations.
• Random access memory (RAM): This is the temporary storage that the computer uses to hold data that it’s currently working on.
• Hard disk drive (HDD) and solid state drive (SSD): These are the primary storage devices for the computer, where files and programs are stored.
• Motherboard: This is the main circuit board that connects all the other hardware components together.
• Graphics card: This is a specialized component that’s responsible for rendering images and video on the computer’s display.
• Power supply unit (PSU): This is the component that supplies power to all the other components in the computer.
• Input/output (I/O) devices: These include peripherals such as a keyboard, mouse, and monitor, as well as other devices such as printers and scanners.

Operating Systems: An operating system is the software that manages the hardware components of a computer and provides services for running applications. Some of the most common operating systems include:

• Windows: Developed by Microsoft, Windows is one of the most popular operating systems for personal computers. It includes a graphical user interface (GUI), built-in applications such as Microsoft Office, and support for a wide range of hardware devices.
• macOS: Developed by Apple, macOS is the operating system used on Apple’s line of Macintosh computers. It includes features such as the Dock, Finder, and Spotlight search, and is known for its user-friendly interface and tight integration with Apple hardware and software.
• Linux: Linux is a free and open-source operating system that can run on a wide range of hardware devices. It is known for its stability, security, and flexibility, and is widely used in servers, supercomputers, and mobile devices.

Windows Operating System: Windows is a popular operating system developed by Microsoft. Some key features of Windows include:

• Graphical user interface (GUI): Windows uses a visual interface with icons, menus, and windows to make it easy to interact with the computer.
• Built-in applications: Windows includes a variety of built-in applications such as Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, and Windows Media Player.
• Device support: Windows is designed to work with a wide range of hardware devices, including printers, scanners, and external hard drives.

MacOS Operating System: macOS is the operating system developed by Apple for its Macintosh line of computers. Some key features of macOS include:

• User-friendly interface: macOS is known for its sleek and intuitive interface, with features such as the Dock, Finder, and Spotlight search making it easy to navigate and find what you need.
• Integration with Apple hardware and software: macOS is tightly integrated with Apple hardware and software, making it easy to use with other Apple devices such as iPhones and iPads.
• Built-in applications: macOS includes a variety of built-in applications such as Safari web browser, iMessage, and iTunes.

Linux Operating System: Linux is a free and open-source operating system that can run on a wide range of hardware devices. Some key features of Linux include:

• Stability and security: Linux is known for its stability and security, with fewer vulnerabilities and crashes than other operating systems.
• Flexibility: Linux is highly customizable, with users able to modify the source code to fit their specific needs.
• Server support: Linux is widely used in servers and other enterprise environments, with support for a wide range of server applications and tools.

Overall, understanding computer hardware and operating systems is important for anyone working with computers, whether as a professional

Whenever you work as system administrator, it also depends whether you are going to support client of your company such as OS management, GPO, server build … or manage internal infrastructure such as internal network, device onboarding,software installation, router configuration etc. For former type of role you wont require knowledge of MacOS, unless you use one for your work, and you will either be Linux System Admin or Windows System Admin. Part 2 of learning basics of computer hardware & OS goes little deeper inside each, to read check Learn the basics of computer hardware and operating systems: Part 2.

I hope this article helped you understand basics of computer hardware & OS, if so, please, like, comment & share.