Mechanical

When a device or component is called mechanical, it utilizes physical moving parts, like gears or levers, to carry out its functions. For example, a hard drive, which stores data by physically moving a read/write head over moving platters, is mechanical. By contrast, an SSD (solid-state drive), which stores data with no moving parts, is electronic.

Mechanical vs. electronic

When comparing a mechanical and electronic device, the electronic device is always better because it has no moving parts. Moving parts add to the complexity of the device, and more components that could fail. Mechanical devices also suffer from wear and tear and are more likely to fail than only electronic devices.

Examples of mechanical components in modern computers

• CD (compact disc) or DVD (digital versatile disc) drive
• Floppy disk drive
• Hard drive
• Active heat sink
• Mechanical mouse
• Optomechanical mouse

Electronic, Gear, Hardware, Hardware terms