Hardware: Abbreviated as HW , hardware is best described as any physical component of a computer system containing a circuit board , ICs , or other electronics. A perfect example of hardware is the screen on which you are viewing this page. Whether it be a monitor , tablet , or smartphone , it is hardware. Without any hardware, your computer would not exist, and software could not be used. The picture is a Logitech webcam , an example of an external hardware peripheral . This hardware device allows users to take videos or pictures, and transmit them over the Internet. External hardware examples. Internal hardware examples. What is the most common hardware included with a computer? How does hardware communicate with software? What are hardware upgrades? Where can I buy computer hardware? Can hardware run without software? When was hardware first created? Related information. Computer...