✦
✦
Computer Science · Hardware & Systems
Inside the Machine
A computer has two layers: hardware you can touch and software you can't. Inside, the CPU, RAM, and storage work as a team.
🧩Two Layers: Hardware & Software
🖥️HARDWARE
The physical parts of a computer — you can pick them up and hold them.
✋ screen · keyboard · CPU chip
💿SOFTWARE
The programs and code that run on the computer — ideas you can't touch.
💡 apps · games · operating system
🧠Meet the 3 Big Parts
🧠CPU
Job The "brain" — does all the math & runs instructions.
⚡ billions of steps every second!
⚡RAM
Job Fast, temporary workspace for apps that are open right now.
🔌 power off = it forgets!
💾STORAGE
Job Long-term storage — keeps files even when power is off.
📷 photos · documents · games
🔁RAM vs. Storage
⚡ RAM = the desktop
Holds what you're working on right now. Super fast, but temporary — clear it the moment the power goes off.
VS
💾 Storage = the drawers
Tucks files away in drawers for later. Slower to reach, but it keeps everything safe even after you shut down.
🔑Key Terms
🖥️Hardware The physical parts of a computer you can touch.
💿Software The programs and code running on the computer.
🧠CPU The "brain" that processes all the instructions.
⚡RAM Fast, temporary memory for programs that are open now.
💾Storage Long-term data that survives when the power is off.
🔌Motherboard The main board that connects all the parts together.
⭐
Remember: the CPU is the brain, RAM is fast but forgets when the power's off, and storage saves your files for the long term!