Back to Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems
IBM

Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems

Ready to dive into the world of hardware and operating systems? This beginner-friendly course builds essential entry-level skills needed for roles in IT support, networking, cybersecurity, and software development. During this course, you’ll explore core computing concepts and the four functions of computing. You’ll then dive into internal hardware such as CPUs, motherboards, GPUs, memory, interfaces, ports, and peripherals. Plus, you’ll look at how modern technologies such as virtualization (including host/guest OS and hypervisors), parallel-processing GPUs, IoT devices, and VR/AR systems are transforming today’s IT environments. You’ll get hands-on with operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile platforms, and practice workstation setup, configuration, acquisition, and troubleshooting just like an IT professional. Plus, you’ll look at specialized devices like wearables and e-readers to gain practical technology insights. Throughout, interactive labs help reinforce your learning. Then, in a final project, you’ll apply your new skills in real-world scenarios. This course is also part of the series to help you prepare for CompTIA Tech+ and A+ certification exams.

Status: Operating System Administration
Status: Disaster Recovery
BeginnerCourse16 hours

Featured reviews

KS

5.0Reviewed Jun 13, 2025

This course is helped my accademics. I improved hardware and operating system knowledge. simulator desktop is more valuable for understand better. It gave prictically background as well.

RG

5.0Reviewed Jul 17, 2022

very well organized, and I liked that videos were short but numerous enough to articulate the different facets individually

PY

5.0Reviewed Sep 13, 2024

I learn many things from this course and according to me this course material were too good to understand about the hardware and operating systems

SG

5.0Reviewed May 5, 2022

This course really helped me to gain new knowledge about Hardware & Operating systems. Video lessons are so nice.

FT

5.0Reviewed Sep 1, 2023

very organized, steps by steps and easy to follow. I have learned so much from this class. great class and great teachers, guidelines.

A

5.0Reviewed Sep 14, 2023

This course was an eye-opener and I enjoyed all the time spent learning. I really was impressed by how everything broke down easily, thank you Coursera.

LM

4.0Reviewed Jul 3, 2024

Understanding these basics will help me effectively use, maintain, and troubleshoot computers and their operating systems.

AS

5.0Reviewed May 19, 2023

I was very helpful, I hop could keep going with the whole program. Thank you IBM and Coursera for the opportunity!

AS

4.0Reviewed Nov 20, 2023

It was very educational and a great refresher. I wish there were more hands on tasks. I learn better when I can get more hands on tasks.

M

5.0Reviewed Mar 21, 2024

This course is well-structured and a need to know. The lab works are well organized and easy to follow. A very good user interface. Good job by those who put this together.

SR

5.0Reviewed Sep 25, 2023

THE HARD WARE AND OPERATING SYSTEM IT IS USEFULL TO OUR FUTURE LIFE AND TECHNOLOGY LIKE HARD WARE INDUSTRY AND SOFT WARE INDUSTRY

F

5.0Reviewed Oct 15, 2022

T​he course was very imformative and linux Lab was amazing! very smooth set yp, keep up the great work! Thank you!

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 527

Sindusanka Abhilasha Gamage
5.0
Reviewed May 6, 2022
Farbod -
5.0
Reviewed Oct 16, 2022
León Felipe Martínez López
5.0
Reviewed Jun 24, 2022
Lisa Meiring
5.0
Reviewed Jun 5, 2022
Oluwajimisola Adenekan
5.0
Reviewed Feb 22, 2023
Brandon
5.0
Reviewed Aug 21, 2022
Sumit Kumar Mehta
5.0
Reviewed Sep 5, 2024
Michael Efenaro
5.0
Reviewed Mar 22, 2024
Adedoyin Samuel
5.0
Reviewed Sep 15, 2023
FEBE H Torres
5.0
Reviewed Sep 2, 2023
Roland Gonzales
5.0
Reviewed Jul 17, 2022
Kwame Opoku
5.0
Reviewed Jul 11, 2022
Roger Market
4.0
Reviewed Oct 14, 2025
Nelson Arturo Sanmarco
5.0
Reviewed Apr 15, 2024
JEYHUN GALANDAROV
5.0
Reviewed Apr 16, 2025
Bhargav Naidu
5.0
Reviewed May 3, 2023
B Hortillano
5.0
Reviewed Sep 29, 2022
Mamdouh Almohammadi
5.0
Reviewed Dec 31, 2022
John Kenneth Libao
5.0
Reviewed Jul 16, 2022
Kaveesha Senarathne
5.0
Reviewed Jun 13, 2025