You’ve probably heard the terms “hardware” and “software” before, but what do they really mean?
What about your mouse and keyboard? Are they hardware? And what’s firmware?
I answer all of these questions and more in this post.
Hardware vs Software: Overview
To put it into simple terms, hardware is any physical component that makes up a computer, whether that “computer” is a desktop computer, a laptop, your phone or a gaming console.
Examples of hardware include a motherboard, a hard drive and RAM.
Software is any application you use on a computer. Examples include your device’s operating system (Windows, iOS, Android, etc.), browsers like Chrome and Firefox, social media apps like TikTok and Facebook, and professional applications like Microsoft Word and Photoshop.
While they’re quite different, hardware and software are dependent on one another. The software you’re able to run is dependent on the hardware you have installed on your system.
For example, without a dedicated graphics card, you won’t be able to run certain video games or video editing software.
Hardware will almost always need to be replaced at some point due to failure, damage or obsolescence while software can be updated continuously to remain safe and current.
Related: 10 Awesome Ways to Customize Your Desktop Layout
What is Hardware?
Hardware is a any physical component that makes up a computer.
In a desktop computer, primary hardware components include:
- Motherboard
- CPU (central processing unit; also referred to as simply “processor”)
- RAM (random access memory; also referred to as simply “memory”)
- Storage drive
- HDD (hard drive disk)
- SSD (solid state drive)
- NVMe (non-volatile memory express)
- GPU (graphics processing unit; a dedicated GPU is also referred to as simply “graphics card”)
- PSU (power supply unit; also referred to as simply “power supply”)
Things like a computer case and fans also count as hardware.
A keyboard, mouse and monitor do technically count as hardware, but they’re more commonly categorized as “peripherals.”
The Purpose of Each Hardware Component
Here’s a brief description of what each component does inside of a computer:
- Motherboard – A computer’s central circuit board that connects all internal components together. It transfers power to components and peripherals from the PSU and controls communication between things like the CPU and RAM.
- CPU – Performs calculations that control a computer’s functions, including how many functions it can perform at once as well as how efficient it can perform those functions.
- RAM – Stores data for your CPU while applications are in use. It deletes this data when you close applications. The more RAM you have, the more data your CPU can offload, allowing it to run more efficiently.
- Storage Drive – Stores your computer’s operating system, applications, files and data.
- GPU – Handles digital image processing for your computer.
- PSU – Powers your computer’s components by taking the high-voltage AC power your wall outlet generates and converting it into the low-voltage DC power hardware components require.
There’s a lot more to hardware than the simple explanations I’ve provided here. For example, there are different types of components with some offering more efficiency than others.
However, I’m only covering the basics to give you a better understanding of what hardware is and its role in computer systems.
How Different Hardware Components Create a Computer
A desktop computer is assembled like this:
- The motherboard gets screwed into the the computer case.
- The power supply gets screwed into the computer case, and its cables get connected to the motherboard.
- The CPU gets inserted into the motherboard.
- A CPU cooler gets installed over the CPU, and its power cable gets connected to the motherboard. Some CPU coolers, such as water coolers, have radiators, which must be installed in one of the designated fan locations on the computer case.
- The RAM gets inserted into the motherboard.
- The graphics card, if available*, gets inserted into the motherboard, and its power cable gets connected to the power supply.
- The storage drive gets installed, either somewhere in the computer case (for hard drives and SSDs) or inserted directly into the motherboard (for NVMes).
- Additional fans may be installed wherever fan locations exist on the computer case. Computer fans are powered by cables that connect to the motherboard.
*Many CPUs have integrated graphics, meaning a dedicated graphics card isn’t necessary unless you intend on running high-performance video games or software.
Peripherals, such as a keyboard, mouse and monitor, are connected to the motherboard through the back of the computer.
If you look at hardware specifications for gaming consoles and smartphones, you’ll realize the hardware that makes up your phone aren’t all that different from the hardware that’s in computers.
They come in smaller form factors and are specially designed for the devices they’re built for.
What is Software?
Software is any application you use on a computer. Software runs (is executed) from a file on your storage drive. It displays on your computer screen, and you interact with it using a mouse and keyboard.
Software is made up files, which are, in turn, made up of code that instructs your computer on how to run the software.
There are two types of software:
- System software – An operating system that allows you to interact with a computer on a computer screen. Examples include Windows, iOS, Linux and Android. However, language processors and device drivers are considered system software as well.
- Application software – Software you use on a computer. Examples include Chrome, TikTok and Steam.
In short, software gives hardware instructions on how to operate, including which processes to execute.
How Do Hardware and Software Differ?
Although they both make up a computer, hardware and software differ quite a bit.
Hardware is physical while software is digital.
Hardware components are physical pieces of tech that need to be manufactured. Software are applications that are developed with programming languages on a computer.
Hardware is tangible whereas software is not.
Hardware is physical. You can touch it and even remove it from your computer. Although software may be installed from a physical disc, its interface is digital only, meaning you cannot touch it.
Although undefined, hardware does have a lifespan whereas software can last forever.
Because it’s physical, hardware cannot last forever. It can suffer from damage, become rusted or worn, or simply fail without warning.
It can even become obsolete. Hard drives had around 300MB of storage in 1995. Today, most applications require several gigabytes in order to be installed on your system.
Software, on the other hand, can be updated continuously. A few examples of software we’ve been using for decades includes Microsoft Word, Photoshop and 7-Zip.
Hardware is not affected by viruses in the way software is.
Malware targets files on your computer. It can corrupt, change and delete them, causing catastrophic damage that disrupts the way the software operates.
Hardware is different. Viruses cannot damage physical hardware components, at least not directly.
They might instruct your hardware to operate inefficiently, such as by disabling fans in an effort to overheat components over time, but they cannot cause immediate damage in the way they do to software.
Related: How to Spot Hidden Malware On Your Devices
Hardware gets replaced while software gets repaired.
When hardware breaks down, it usually gets replaced. There are repairmen who will attempt to save hardware components, but for the most part, if a component, such as a stick of RAM, stops working, it usually gets replaced.
Software, however, usually gets repaired through bug fixes, which are installed through software patches or by restoring backups.
Related: What is an Offsite Backup?
Software can be updated to use hardware more efficiently.
Hardware is very what-you-see-is-what-you-get. If you have 32GB of RAM, you will always have 32GB of RAM until you upgrade.
Software is different in that it can be updated in a way that forces it to use hardware more efficiently.
For example, video editing software can be instructed to draw on more resources from your GPU rather than your CPU and RAM.
Certain versions of software might also be simplified so they still operate efficiently even when hardware limitations are present.
For example, if you’ve ever played a video game on a PC before playing it on a console, you might notice that the PC edition has better textures and runs at a higher framerate. This is because the software (the game) is limited by the hardware in the console, which is typically less powerful than the hardware in a gaming PC.
In short, software can be programmed in a way that forces it to run more efficiently on limited hardware.
How Do Hardware and Software Relate?
Despite their differences, hardware and software do relate in a few ways.
They depend on one another.
Hardware cannot perform tasks on its own. It needs instructions from software in order to know what processes to execute.
Similarly, software can’t execute those processes without hardware.
They can be transferred to other systems.
You can transfer hardware and software to other systems (usually). The process might be different, but if you want a certain hardware component in a new computer or want to install existing software on a new computer, you might be able to do this.
It depends on certain limitations. For example, a lot of laptops these days have key components, such as your motherboard and CPU, soldered in, meaning you won’t be able to remove and reinstall them without knowing how to solder.
Plus, some software might not be compatible with your new system.
In any case, these complication do not change the fact that you can install hardware and software in/on new systems.
What are Peripherals?
Peripherals are a type of hardware that operate as input and output devices. Examples of an input device include keyboards and mice. Examples of output devices include monitors and speakers.
Peripherals are non-essential hardware that are not required in order for a computer to execute its primary functions.
However, the additional functions they do apply to your system make it easier to use a computer.
What is Firmware?
Firmware is software for hardware. It gets installed on a hardware component, usually during the manufacturing process.
Some hardware might not able to run without software telling it what to do. Furthermore, firmware can be updated to install patches and make hardware run more efficiently.
