Hardware
Hardware
Abbreviated as HW, hardware is best described as any physical component of a computer system that contains a circuit board, ICs, or other electronics. A perfect example of hardware is the screen on which you are viewing this page. Whether it be a monitor, tablet, or smartphone, it is hardware.
Without any hardware, your computer would not exist, and software could not be used.
External hardware examples
Below is a list of external hardware or hardware found outside of your computer that may be found with a computer.
Flat-panel, monitor, and LCD
Gamepad
Joystick
Keyboard
Microphone
Mouse
Printer
Projector
Scanner
Speakers
USB thumb drive
Internal hardware examples
Below is a list of internal hardware or hardware that is found inside your computer and may be found in a computer.
CPU (central processing unit).
Drive (e.g., Blu-ray, CD-ROM, DVD, floppy drive, hard drive, and SSD).
Fan (heat sink)
Modem
Motherboard
Network card
Power supply
RAM
Sound card
Video card
What is the most common hardware included with a computer?
Below is a list of the most common hardware you'd likely find inside a computer or connected to a computer today (desktop computer or laptop).
Processor (CPU)
One or more fans and heat sink
Motherboard that most likely has an integrated video card, sound card, and network card.
For most desktop computers (especially gaming computers), a separate video card is used.
RAM
Hard drive
Power supply
Cables that connect internal components and external peripherals.
Keyboard
Mouse or touchpad with a laptop.
Flat-panel, monitor, or TV for desktop computers and LCD as part of a laptop.
What are hardware upgrades?
A hardware upgrade is any new hardware better than that which it replaced or additional hardware that improves performance. An example of a common hardware upgrade is a RAM upgrade, where the user increases the computer's total memory. Another example is
a video card upgrade, which is the act of removing an old video card and replacing it with a newer, more powerful model.
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