====== Hardware (H/W) ======
[[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:start| Return to Glossary ]]

**Hardware (H/W)** refers to the physical elements that make up a computer or electronic system and everything else involved that is physically tangible. This includes the monitor, 
[[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:h:hdd]], 
[[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:r:computermemory]] and the 
[[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:c:cpu]]. 
Hardware works hand-in-hand with [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:f:firmware]] and [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:s:software]] to make a computer function.

Although the same core components are shared between [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:d:desktop]] and [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:l:laptop]] computers, their characteristics and design differ for a multitude of reasons (size, heat dissipation capabilities, power requirements, etc.). However, hardware is always necessary to run the critical software that makes computers work.

Source: [[https://www.techopedia.com/definition/2210/hardware-hw ]]


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