ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Form factor (electronics)

Form factor is like the shape of a toy. Just like a toy can have different shapes and sizes, electronic devices also come in different shapes and sizes.

Think of a computer. There are big ones, small ones, and even tiny ones! The shape and size of a computer matter because it determines where it can fit, how it can be used, and what kind of parts it can have.

So, form factor is a term used to describe the physical shape and size of an electronic device, like a computer or a phone. It's important because different form factors have different capabilities, depending on what they were designed for.

For example, a small phone may not be able to do certain things that a larger tablet can, simply because it doesn't have enough space for certain parts. And a desktop computer may have more powerful parts than a laptop, simply because it has more space to work with.

So next time you see a device, think about its form factor and how it affects what it can do!