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.


    What is an Operating System? » Computer Shortcut Keys and their Functions » Keyboard Function Keys » Computer Basics - Hardware - Software - Parts

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