It really makes sense that hardware and software are uncountable/mass nouns. Therefore, it is not correct to put them in the plural form. Our friend above was right. But, when you put them in an adjectival position and add a countable noun afterwards, they become countable. Then, plural is OK.

Ellipsis of the countable noun? Then, "software" could be pluralized? For me, the problem seems to be where the expression is being used. Which frequency does it appear? Is it accepted and understood by its peers? Or is it considered not right? What do you think?

Maria Valeska