The word software was first used in the late 1960s to emphasize on its difference from computer hardware, which can be physically observed by the user.
View moreFirmware usually refers to a piece of software that directly controls a piece of hardware.
View moreComputer hardware is the physical parts or components of a computer, such as the monitor, keyboard, computer data storage, graphics card, sound card and motherboard.
View moreBy contrast, software is instructions that can be stored and ran by hardware.
View moreHardware is directed by the software to execute any command or instruction.
View moreA combination of hardware and software forms a usable computing system.
View moreWhen using computer hardware, an upgrade means adding new hardware to a computer that improves its performance, adds capacity or new features.
View moreFor example, a user could perform a hardware upgrade to replace the hard drive with a SSD to get a boost in performance or increase the amount of files that may be stored.
View morePerforming such hardware upgrades may be necessary for older computers to meet a program's system requirements.
View moreComputer hardware contain dangerous chemicals such as: lead, mercury, nickel, and cadmium.
View moreMaking hardware requires energy, and recycling parts will reduce air pollution, water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions.
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