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Hardware refers to the physical component of an electronic device such as a computer, smartphone, gaming console or an embedded system. The hardware provides the infrastructure for software to run to perform various tasks.
The major components of a hardware is as typified by a computer and they are as follows : internal components such as the central processing unit, motherboard, memory (RAM), storage drive and power supply. External components such as monitors, keyboards, mouse, speakers, webcam etc. other components such as graphics card, sound card, network interface card (NIC) etc. peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, external hard drives, USB devices etc. these hardware components work together to enable a computer system to perform a wide variety of tasks.
The advantages of hardware are as follows; hardware upgrades can significantly enhance system performance and efficiency. Advances in storage technology have enabled vast amounts of data to be stored and accessed quickly. Hardware components like network cards and Wi-Fi adapters enable seamless communication and connectivity. New hardware technologies can enable new applications and use cases.
The disadvantages of hardware are as follows; high performance hardware can be expensive especially for cutting edge technologies. Hardware can become outdated quickly making it difficult to keep up with the latest technologies. Some hardware components can consume significant amounts of power leading to energy efficiency concern or issues. Hardware requires regular maintenance and up keep to ensure optimal performance.
Hardware finds widespread applications in the following industries; hardware is essential in the computer industry for computing applications including desktops, laptops, servers etc. communication industry hardware enables communication through devices like smartphones, routers, modems etc. entertainment industry hardware is used in gaming consoles, streaming devices, home theaters etc. internet of things hardware is used in various IoT devices such as smart home devices, wearable, industrial sensors etc.
The future of hardware is based on the advances and development of the following technologies; artificial intelligence, quantum computing, 5g and 6g networks and sustainable hardware for the following reasons; hardware specifically designed for artificial intelligence applications such as graphics processing units and tensor processing units will continue to evolve. New hardware technologies such as quantum processors will enable new applications and use cases. Advances in 5g and 6g wireless network communication hardware will enable faster and more reliable connectivity. There will be a growing focus on developing hardware that is energy efficient, recyclable and sustainable.
SOURCES:
- The art of electronics by Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill.
- Digital design and computer architecture by David Money ans Sarah L. Harris.
- Electronics for dummies by C. Ralph Nassar.
- Practical electronics for inventors by Paul Scherz.
- PC hardware in a nutshell by Robert Bruce Thompson.
