Computer Hardware Industry Trends & Overview

Overview

The computer hardware industry provides a broad range of products. These include everyday items used in homes, businesses, and schools, such as desktop computers, monitors, and keyboards; laptop computers; peripherals like printers and scanners; as well as specialized or industrial items such as webcams, ATM machines, biometric technology, and data storage devices used by corporations, large and small. A rapidly growing segment of the computer hardware industry is in multipurpose handheld communication devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers, which allow consumers to have phone conversations, send text messages and e-mail, use the Internet (including social media), and access media. Advances in technology continue to change the hardware industry. "The proliferation of cloud computing and big data analytics has particularly contributed to the growth of the information technology (IT) hardware market," according to Mordor Intelligence. "Cloud service providers and enterprises require powerful servers, storage systems, and networking equipment to host and process vast amounts of data in real time. Additionally, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies further drive the demand for specialized hardware components optimized for these applications." The market size of the global computer hardware industry was $130.86 billion in 2024, according to Mordor Intelligence.

The computer hardware industry encompasses the companies that research, develop, design, assemble, test, manufacture, and sell these various devices. Technological advances continue to produce complex microchips in smaller sizes, enabling the computer hardware industry to provide smaller, more compact devices to consumers. Flat-screen computer monitors and thinner, lighter laptops or tablet computers are but a few of the innovative new products now available or in the planning stages. Also expected to lead the growth in the industry are electronics with computing platforms such as those used in the medical and healthcare industries, the telecommunications industry, and the automotive industry, as well as the growing consumer demand for and use of mobile devices like smartphones that perform various functions of computers

Although computer hardware companies can be found worldwide, including in India, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and China, many companies are located in the United States. Silicon Valley in California, Route 128 in Massachusetts, Research Triangle in North Carolina, and Austin, Texas, are among areas in the United States with high concentrations of computer hardware companies.

The industry employs workers of all education and skill levels. Computer scientists and engineers; development, design, and production engineers; engineering technicians; system analysts and set-up specialists; service technicians; quality assurance specialists; and computer sales representatives are but a few of the career choices open to those seeking work in the computer hardware field.

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