Desktop Computers

Desktop computers are the most widely used Personal Computers which still claim a fair share of 46% of the total world market. In spite of the fact that PCs are now dwarfed to Laptops and Palmtops, Desktop machines rule most homes and business institutions because of their durability and cheapness. Desktop Personal Computers are found almost every where – almost in all middle class Indian homes, cyber cafes, shopping malls, business institutions, offices, etc.
The History of Desktop computers being produced at amass scale dates back to around the late 70s of the 20th century. When you come across a typical desktop computer, note that the PC that includes the following parts is visible to you:

• A Visual Display Unit (VDU)
  



• A Keyboard
  



• A Central Processing Unit (CPU)
  



• A Mouse
  

There can be in addition to these a pair of Sound box, Web Cam, Joystick, etc.
Besides the mechanical components of a Desktop system, or the hardware system of the desktop computer comprises:

• Mother Board (System Board) – The mother board, a board concerning printed circuit, is the most important component of the Desktop computer as it contains and connects all the important parts of the hardware. It basically consists of the keyboard connector, RAM, AGP PCI and ISA slots, CPU, battery, expansion board and L2 Cache.
  



• Processor – This can be called the chief brain of the computer.
  



• Hard Disk drive – It is that part of the memory which the regular user can utilize for the purpose of working and storing data.
  



• Optical Disc Drive – This is the component for playing CD s and DVD s.
  



• Floppy Disc drive – The part that helps in the running of a floppy.
  



• Random Access Memory – The permanent memory that cannot be erased by the user
  



• Modem – This is the component used to connect to BBS, dial up network and of course the Internet.
  Computer Power Supply Unit – This is the unit that is responsible for supplying the system with electrical power.
  Various cards and Coolers.
  Today Desktop machines are manufactured by a wide range of companies, though integrated Desktops Personal Computers are also popular. HP computer, Toshiba , HCL, ACER to name a few a few of them.