This wikiHow teaches you how to view computer hardware specifications, such as processor speed and memory (RAM) size. It is important that you know aspects such as RAM size, processing speed and storage/hard disk space capacity before switching to a new operating system or downloading process-intensive applications (eg video games).
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using the System Information Feature in Windows
Step 1. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen. After that, the “Start” menu will be displayed.
Step 2. Open “Settings”
Click the gear icon in the lower-left corner of the Start menu. Once clicked, the “Settings” window will be displayed.
Step 3. Click System
It's a laptop icon in the upper-left corner of the window.
Step 4. Click the About tab
It's a tab in the lower-left corner of the window. You may need to place your cursor on the left sidebar and swipe across the screen to see the tabs.
Step 5. Scroll to the "Device specifications" segment
This option is at the bottom of the page.
Step 6. Review the computer specifications
The "Device specifications" segment contains information about the computer's processor, RAM, and system type.
Method 2 of 3: Using the Device Manager Program on Windows
Step 1. Understand when to use the Device Manager program
If you want to find out more in-depth information about the hardware that your computer uses, you can take advantage of the Device Manager program. This step is useful when you want to find out what type of hardware your computer has built in.
Step 2. Open the advanced “Start” menu
Right-click the "Start" menu icon
in the lower-left corner of the screen or press the Win+X key combination. You can see a pop-up menu on the left side of the screen.
Step 3. Click Device Manager
This option is in the pop-up menu. After that, the Device Manager program window will open.
Step 4. Find the category of hardware you want to review
Browse through the different categories of hardware until you find the one you want to open.
- For example, if you want to know more about computer processors, double-click the heading “ Processors ”.
- What is shown in the Device Manager window may vary slightly depending on the computer manufacturer/manufacturer.
Step 5. Expand the hardware category
Double click the hardware category or click the " expand " icon
on the left side of the category. You can see at least one child entry under the category heading.
If you see multiple child options under the hardware category, this category has been expanded
Step 6. Review the list of hardware components
You can see from 1 to 10 entries, depending on the selected category. Double click an entry to view its properties/information.
Make sure you don't delete or disable anything in the Device Manager program without clear removal instructions. Accidentally deleting entries risks rendering the computer unusable
Method 3 of 3: Using Apple Menu on Mac
Step 1. Click the Apple menu
It's an apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Click About This Mac
It's at the top of the Apple drop-down menu. After that, the “About This Mac” window will be displayed.
Step 3. Review the Mac computer information
You can find information about your computer's processes, RAM, and graphics unit in the “About This Mac” window.
Step 4. Click System Report…
It's at the bottom of the “About This Mac” window. After that, the “System Report” window will be displayed.
Step 5. Open the "Hardware" menu
Click the right-facing arrow to the left of the “Hardware” heading in the left pane of the “System Report” window.
If the arrow to the left of the " Hardware " heading is pointing downwards, the menu is already open
Step 6. Select the hardware entry you want to check
You can see the Mac's hardware components under the “ Hardware Once clicked, the device specifications will be displayed in the right pane of the “System Report” window.
- For example, if you want to check the free card model, click “ Graphics/Displays ”.
- Click " Memory Find out more about RAM on your computer.
- To review the processor specifications, click the “ Hardware ”.
Tips
- If you have not purchased a computer whose specifications you want to check, usually a list of specifications is displayed on the computer packaging/box, manual, or information board of the shop visited.
- When buying a computer online, you can find a list of specifications in the description of the shipment (if not in the title).
