System Profiler is a software utility that has been bundled with Mac OS since Mac OS 7.6 (until Mac OS X it was called Apple System Profiler). It compiles technical information on all of the installed hardware, devices, drivers, applications, system settings, system software programs and kernel extensions installed on the host computer. It can export this information as plain text, RTF or in the plist XML format. This information is used to diagnose problems. System Profiler can be extremely useful if attempting to diagnose a hardware problem. A user can send the information directly to Apple if the user desires. It has support for scripting automation through AppleScript and some limited support in Automator.

System information can also be accessed by using the "system_profiler" command through a Terminal application. For more information, execute "man system_profiler" or "system_profiler -h" in an Mac OS X terminal application.

it:System Profiler