Understanding Hardware
You’ve probably heard the term ‘hardware’ a lot when it comes to computers and technology, but what exactly does it
mean? We can split technology into two distinct components. There are the programs that we interact with, whether
that is an Operating System (OS) like Windows or an
App on your phone or in your car infotainment
and so on. This is called software, as it is digital in nature, not something you can physically touch.
The other is the physical components of your technology. The memory sticks, motherboards, processors and so on that
form the computer or phone you use. This is hardware, the things you can touch and see.
Definition of Hardware
Hardware refers to any physical component of technology that you can touch, see and feel. Some are simple, such as a
keyboard or mouse, others are extremely complex, such as a modern processor, that may have billions of transistors
within its case.
Different Types of Hardware
While hardware refers to all physical aspects of your technology, they do fall into four distinct categories, which
are:
Input Devices — Think of things like a keyboard or mouse, a touchscreen on your phone or in
your car, anything that allows you to enter information into the system.
Output Devices — A monitor is probably the obvious example of this, but printers do the same
thing, take the data from your tech and presents it for users or other systems to see.
Processing Devices — The part of a computer or tech that makes the calculations, the thing that
lets your tech perform its tasks. Central Processing Units (CPUs) in a computer or phone, Graphical
Processing Units (GPU) are the core examples of this type of hardware.
Storage Devices — Where data is kept in semi or permanent storage. Hard Drives, SSDs and Random
Access Memory (RAM) are the most common examples.
Hardware Example: AutoPi TMU CM4
To take a real-world example of hardware, we can look at the AutoPi TMU CM4 . An advanced piece of
hardware, it connects to your vehicle’s onboard
computer and provides additional functionality, such as GPS
tracking , vehicle diagnostics and for
communications, Wi-Fi hotspot creation. Although it looks like a single
device, the hardware inside allows this system to perform multiple functions, creating versatility through the
choice of hardware within.
Conclusion
Hardware is a part of daily life, it is the foundation of the digital world we have built. Whether you are checking
your messages on your phone, playing a video game or using the AutoPi's telematics system , hardware is key to
everything.
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