Technology Tip Number 161
Basic Computer Hardware

Just in case you never heard of the term before, "computer hardware" refers to all the parts of the computer that you can touch.  "Computer software" generally refers to those computer related things that you can't touch.

Examples of Software:  The computer code that makes this webpage appear on the screen, the code that tells the computer how to play a game or run a PowerPoint slide show, etc. 

Examples of Hardware:   The computer equipment that you need to "run" the software, the mouse that you use to select things on the screen, the screen (or monitor) itself, the keyboard, etc.

Here are some more examples of computer hardware:

Other items that are technically hardware but many people mistake for software:  Compact disks (CD's), Flash Drives, 3.5" Diskettes, DVD's.  Though these items store software they are, more specifically, hardware devices for storing software.

PRACTICE ACTIVITY:  Reach around you right now.  How many pieces of computer hardware can you touch without even getting out of your chair?

TO KEEP ON LEARNING:  To learn more about computer hardware try searching the internet for:

Computer Hardware
What is software
Hardware and Software

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