Computer Hardware

Computer hardware is a term for all of the physical parts that make up a computer. In contrast, the data hardware contains and which feeds hardware instructions, is called software.

Sometimes the difference between the two is not all too clear. There is something called firmware, which is software built-in to the hardware.

What hardware any one computer contains is unique. However, typical hardware parts include, for example:

Motherboard

Power supply

graphics controller

Hard disk, floppy disk and other drives

interface controllers

etc.

Buying Computer Hardware

In case you need to upgrade your hardware or add to the selection of hardware your computer contains, you have plenty of online and offline stores to choose from, plus stores that sell used/refurbished hardware.

This is an area of e-commerce where it pays to compare different offerings from several retailers. Online comparison tools include such site as froogle.google.com, from one of the smartest companies on the web, Google Inc.

However, not all resellers can be found through such channels, so you may want to look up also the bigger resellers, such as Amazon.com or TigerDirect.com as well. Also, the manufacturers’ web sites are full of information about hardware resellers for their specific line of computers.

Some buy refurbished computer hardware, which are used hardware, tested and rebuilt to meet original factory standards, then given warranties for a resale.


From Computer Hardware page to Broadband Guide index