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A physical computer is a tangible device utilized for computing needs. It is made up of materials one can see and feel, such as metal or glass. In and of itself, the physical computer can fulfill an operator’s needs without a virtual conversion. Hardware, such as a physical computer, varies widely from software in that software consists of computer applications that can be added to the physical computer.
Techopedia Explains Physical Computer
The term might seem obvious, but it is relevant in comparison to a virtual computer.
In their infancy, around the mid-1940s, physical computers were room-sized. Over time, they became much smaller so that they could fit on a desk. Moving forward, the line is blurred when you say "physical" given the small size of mobile devices such as tablets. While physical, many computing devices aren’t on a desktop (which is the implication), and many application operate over the cloud as opposed to being installed locally.
