Computer Hardware Basics
Wondering what's inside your computer or some of the basics of how various types of computers and parts work? Get informed here.
PCI Express Image Gallery
What is the main difference between FireWire and USB?
What's another name for FireWire?
How to Overclock Your CPU
Is Moore's Law outdated?
How Sandy Bridge Works
How to Wipe a Computer's Hard Drive
How to Fix the Black Screen of Death
Should I move my hard disk to the cloud?
How Secure Digital Memory Cards Work
Computer Memory Pictures
What is virtual memory?
What are the three types of VPN?
What do you need to build a private WiFi network?
What is a network server?
6 Easy Ways to Keep Your Computer Cool Without Using Electricity
How to Keep Your Dell Laptop From Overheating
How to Know when Your Computer Battery is Dead
New Quantum Computing Research Plots Safe Journey Through the Past
What is the world’s fastest supercomputer used for?
Set Your Computer for Energy Savings
How to Force Quit on a Mac
How to Split Screen on a Mac
Is Apple building a hydrogen-powered computer?
Are tablets changing the way we shop?
Are tablets changing the way computers work?
How the Kindle Paperwhite Works
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Your computer is working slower than molasses, but why? We look at five of the most common reasons and how to fix them, with the help of experts.
By Dave Roos
In an earlier time, people routinely shut down their computers at night, and some folks still do. But is this necessary?
By Muriel Vega
Both shutdown and restart cause your computer screen to go black, but what happens after that? And which one should you use?
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That's one that can perform 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 floating-point operations per second. Just in case you were wondering.
By Kat Kuehl
The old saying goes something like this: That shiny new computer you just bought is obsolete the second you take it out of the box. Well, there might be some truth to it. Our modern electronics might actually be built to break.
By Beth Brindle
Touch-screen interfaces are everywhere -- most smartphones and tablets use them today. See interesting facts and graphics on how touch screens work.
In July 2012, engineers at the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre debuted their new SuperMUC supercomputer, which uses a unique cooling system. How does hot water cooling work, and how is it green?
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Most myths have a bit of truth in them – which may be why most people believe that powering down and restarting a computer leads to wear and tear. So, what's the truth behind the myth?
By Dave Roos
There's no worse feeling than lost data as a deadline approaches, or a folder of digital photos that are lost forever and can't be replaced. With just a little daily maintenance, you can help your odds of avoiding such tragedies.
In the early years of home computing, buying a machine was a huge investment. Many models sank, but these 10 broke sales records and gave many of us our first glimpse at the digital world. Did your favorite computer make the cut?
Computers run our modern lives, but how many of us actually know how these everyday machines are made? We'll take a peek at the parts and processes that create the digital tools we can't live without.
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Today, sleek, lightweight mobile computing devices grace the palms and laps of many modern computer users. But back in the '70s, "portable computer" had a very different meaning.
When it comes to the business of building supercomputers, taller equals smaller and cooler means faster, and these 10 players have gotten really good at it. Get to know them before they're replaced by someone new.
By Eric Seeger
Does the name Sequoia ring a bell with you? How about Mira, or Tianhe-2? If you're not up on the latest supercomputer news, those words may mean nothing, but they're major players when it comes to petaflops.
Supercomputers are the whiz kids of the computing world – they're the fastest, most powerful machines around. Find out what they're used for – and what makes them so "super" – in this article.
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With a global shortage of capable programmers, the Raspberry Pi may be the device that gets us back to computing basics. And that's a very good thing. Did we mention it only costs about $25?
Without hardware, even the best software ever created is useless. What components do you need to have assembled before you can boot up and start clicking?
There are hardware upgrades that can extend the useful life of your current computer without completely draining your account or relegating yet another piece of machinery to a landfill. Which upgrades are the best for your needs and your budget?
Today's mobile, sleek computers have come a long way since their comparatively clunky predecessors first debuted. Given how fast technology evolves, is there a way to protect your PC from becoming obsolete?
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Personal computers are now so small that you can fit an entire machine onto one circuit board. How do these little machines work, and what are they giving up for the sake of their miniature size?
Mac or PC? It's a question almost everybody has an opinion about. Or, are you wondering what the difference is? We've broken down these computers to reveal their strengths and weaknesses.
Your computer has a number of key parts, including the all-important motherboard. Learn more about your motherboard in this article.
Thanks to improvements in manufacturing, computer processors are constantly getting faster and smaller. These days, it seems like computers are just about everywhere. What kinds of machines will we be using in 2050?
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Without heat sinks, today's high-tech computers couldn't run at the speeds they do. At least not without completely overheating, which could potentially destroy your entire system. But what exactly is a heat sink and how does it work to keep your computer cool?
The world's most basic computers used to fill entire rooms. But today, computers are so compact you can carry them wherever you go. So how will our computing devices change in the next century?