
If you have a computer, it is always good to have at least a basic knowledge of computer parts and know where to get them. Just like anything else, computers wear out and break. Being able to identify the problem and replace one part will keep you from having to buy an entire new computer.
One of the most common reasons that computer parts need to be replaced is from heat. When a computer runs for long periods of time without proper ventilation, the parts can really heat up, and this can cause them to slowly fail. This can be one of the more difficult problems to identify. If you drop your computer or spill something on it, you know exactly what happened and which part is broken. But with heat damage you need to know what you're looking for.
If you don't know very much about computers and don't have time to learn, make sure you get a computer with a good warrantee on it. This way if something goes wrong, you can take it to a professional who will be able to tell you which parts need to be replaced. Also keep in mind that sometimes an old computer isn't worth fixing. If the computer parts aren't readily available, buying a new one might be more economical.