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List detailed hardware with lshw

lshw enumerates the full hardware tree — memory slot population, CPU cores, disk models, NIC firmware — which is exactly what you need before a RAM upgrade or driver hunt.

Linuxhardwarelshwsystem-infoMedium risk
Run `sudo lshw -short` for a compact table, or `sudo lshw -class memory -class disk` to drill into one class.

01Command

Command
$ sudo lshw -short

02What it does

While inxi gives a friendly summary and dmidecode reads only the BIOS tables, lshw walks the actual hardware tree and shows unfilled RAM slots, per-disk serial numbers and driver binding. Output can be exported with -json, -html or -xml for inventories.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk
Requirementslshw package
!Warning: Run with sudo — without root, details such as memory configuration and serial numbers are hidden.

04Undo

Undo
$ null

05Sources

  • lshw(1)
    Arch Linux · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: hardware lister with json/html/xml output support
  • lshw(1) — list hardware configuration
    Debian · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: -short compact summary; -class filters by device class

Last verified: 2026-09-18 · Category: System & Settings

06Related solutions

List CPU Details with lscpu
Linuxhardwarecpulscpu

lscpu prints the CPU model, socket/core/thread layout, base frequency, and supported instruction flags in a clean summary.

Low risk ✓ 2026-09-17