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 acomputer monitor, tablet or smartphone; it's hardware.

Without any hardware, your computer would not exist, and software could not be used. The picture is aLogitech webcam, an example of an external hardwareperipheral. This hardware device allows users to take videos or pictures and transmit them over the Internet.

Below is a list of external hardware and internal hardware that may be found with a computer.

External hardware examples

• Flat-panel, Monitor, and LCD
• Keyboard
• Microphone
• Mouse
• Printer
• Projector
• Scanner
• Speakers
• USB thumb drive

Internal hardware examples

• CPU
• Drive (e.g. Blu-Ray, CD-ROM, DVD, floppy drive, and hard drive)
• Fan (heatsink)
• Modem
• Motherboard
• Network card
• RAM
• Sound card
• Video card

What are hardware upgrades?

A hardware upgrade is any new hardware better than that which it replaced or additional hardware that improves performance. A good example of a common hardware upgrade is a RAM upgrade, where the user increases the computer's total memory. Another good example is a video card upgrade, which is the act of removing an old video card and replacing it with a newer, better one.

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Where can I buy computer hardware?

There are a number of locations to buy computer hardware today. Many local computer retail store and repair shops have hardware available in stock that can be purchased immediately. However, for more options and typically lower prices it is generally better to buy hardware online.