Hardware

Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer or other electronic device, while software refers to the instructions and programs that run on those devices. Hardware includes things like the CPU, memory, and storage, while software includes things like operating systems, applications, and drivers.

The main components of a computer include the central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage, and motherboard. The CPU is the brain of the computer and performs all of the calculations and operations required to run the device. Memory is used to temporarily store data that the CPU is processing, while storage is used to store long-term data such as files and programs. The motherboard connects all of the components of the computer together and allows them to communicate with each other.

Peripheral devices are hardware components that are connected to a computer and provide additional functionality. Examples of peripheral devices include keyboards, mice, monitors, printers, and scanners. These devices allow users to input data, display information, and perform additional tasks such as printing documents.

A GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is a specialized processor designed to handle the complex calculations required to render images, video and 3D graphics. It’s used in tasks like gaming and video editing, tasks that require high performance. They can be found either as a separate card installed on the motherboard or integrated in the CPU of the computer.

Firmware is a type of software that is stored on a hardware device, such as a router or computer’s BIOS. It provides low-level control of the device’s functions and is responsible for initializing and maintaining the device’s basic functionality. Firmware is permanent and cannot be easily modified or updated like traditional software.