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.