Computer Hardware
From USB connectors to motherboards, the HowStuffWorks Computer Hardware Channel will help you find explanations, reviews, videos and prices for the parts you need.
5 Reasons Your Computer Is Running Slow and How to Fix Them
Should You Shut Down Your Computer Every Night?
What's the Difference Between Restarting and Shutting Down My Computer?
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Is Moore's Law outdated?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
Before you sell or give away an old computer, you need to wipe the files from the hard drive. But deleting data takes more than just dragging and dropping it to the trash bin.
By Talon Homer
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Overclocking a processor allows it to run at higher than factory speeds, but it also can lead to reliability issues if you don't do it safely. So how do you do it, and does it void your computer's warranty?
By Talon Homer
Who needs a second monitor if you can have two screens going on the display right in front of you?
By Jeremy Glass
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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You're typing along on your laptop when, all of a sudden, your computer fades to black. What's causing your black screen and how do you fix it?
Researchers have some new ideas on how quantum computers can benefit from time-traveling particles without breaking causality.
By Robert Lamb
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
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The cultural impact of tablet computers can be seen all around us -- we're a mobile society with constant Web access. But how have tablets impacted our consumer behaviors specifically?
Tablets have fundamentally changed the way people interact with technology. But how deep does that influence go, and how does it impact other technology?
Amazon has released several Kindle models, but the Paperwhite is designed to completely change the e-reader experience. How well does it succeed, and are any challengers stepping up to the plate?
Apple's late 2012 addition to the tablet market didn't surprise many people -- details about the iPad Mini had leaked long before its official announcement. Does the iPad's baby brother live up to the pre-release hype?
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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?
Perhaps you've heard of the Maylong M-150. After all, it had the unique distinction of being a tablet sold at Walgreens -- a U.S. drugstore known more for picking up nail polish and prescriptions than personal technology. What else is there to know?
Supercomputers are capable of some serious computing, so it's not surprising that they're used for serious purposes. In 2012, a new champion claimed the top spot of fastest computer. What was it?
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As manufacturers struggle to find new ways to cram transistors on computer chips, it would seem that Gordon Moore's famous prediction will one day fizzle out. Should we retire Moore's Law?
Cloud computing is no longer the wave of the future -- it's the wave of now! So is it time to go ahead and move the contents of your computer's hard drive online, or are some things better off staying home?
People aren't always familiar with the role drivers play in their computing experiences because this software is often updated automatically. But if you do need to update them yourself, we've got some tips for you.
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
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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?