Laitteistoosia

Laitteisto-osia, the Finnish term for hardware components, refers to the tangible, physical elements of a device that enable its operation. It encompasses internal circuitry, boards, connectors, enclosures, and other material parts, as well as peripherals connected to the system. In information technology and electronics, hardware components are distinguished from software and firmware by their material presence and replaceability.

Common categories include central processing units (CPUs) or microcontrollers, memory such as RAM and ROM, and storage devices like hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs). It also covers motherboards and other printed circuit boards, graphics processing units (GPUs), network interface cards, and power supplies. Peripherals such as keyboards, displays, mice, and printers are considered hardware as well, along with input/output controllers, cables, chassis, cooling systems, and housings. In embedded and industrial systems, sensors, actuators, and control boards are also part of laitteisto-osia.

Terminology and usage: the term is common in Finnish technical documentation, procurement specifications, and repair guides. It is contrasted with software (ohjelmisto) and firmware, which are not physical parts. Understanding laitteisto-osia is important for compatibility, maintenance, upgrades, and lifecycle management, since hardware components have fixed interfaces and performance characteristics that affect overall system behavior.