Tuesday, October 2, 2012

A Brief Look at Computer Hardware

Computer hardware is a device that is related to computers, and it is in a physical form. Keyboards, mouse and monitors are examples of computer hardware that we can touch. In contrast, software such as Windows operating system is not considered hardware because it does not have any physical form, nor we can touch it.

Examples

This hardware is not only found in personal computers, but the term can be attributed to anything physical which forms part of a larger computer system or network. Nevertheless, computer hardware found in modern personal computers include monitor, motherboard, CPU, RAM memory, expansion cards, power supply, optical disc drive, hard disk, keyboard and mouse. All of these components of a computer have physical form, and anyone can touch them. For example, if someone has bought Microsoft Office disc to install MS Word on their personal computer then it can be stated that the disc is a type of hardware because it has a physical form. In contrast, application stored inside that disc e.g. Microsoft Word is not hardware because it only exists in a digital format, and does not have any physical aspect.

New Type of Computer Hardware

Similarly, removable media devices such as CD-ROM drive and CD-W are some common types of this hardware which are used to store data, and large files. Nowadays, USB flash drives are becoming much more common, and they are quickly replacing CD-ROM as preferred hardware to store temporary data. In near future, other PC hardware called solid state drive will replace hard drives because it contains no moving part, and takes much less space. Thus, hard drives, USB flash drives and solid state drives are some other examples of computer hardware.

PC Hardware or Hardware: What's the Difference?

Hardware is a term used for physical objects of technology such as personal computer, but terms like hardware and computer hardware are also synonymous. Therefore, it is not uncommon to use terms like hardware and PC hardware, interchangeably. For example, a CPU can be called either hardware or computer hardware. Usually, anything physical related to computers is called PC hardware. Otherwise, objects such as keys, locks, door handles, electric wires, cutting tools, cutlery, machine and most things made of metal are generally known as hardware, and found in hardware stores.

Along with knowing your hardware, you need to purchase computer peripherals like computer mice. Dan's blog on the Logitech RX300 reviews Logitech mice including the very popular Logitech MX500. Take a look if you're in the market for a computer mouse.

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