Explanation:

The physical components of a computer system are collectively known as hardware. This includes tangible parts like the CPU, memory, storage devices, input/output devices, etc. Software, on the other hand, refers to the programs and data that instruct the hardware. A byte is a unit of digital information, and a mouse is a specific input device (a type of hardware). 'Default' refers to a pre-selected option or setting. Therefore, 'hardware' is the correct general term for the physical equipment, encompassing all the tangible parts of a computer system that one can physically touch and see, such as the monitor, keyboard, motherboard, and processor.