Peripherals
Peripherals are devices that are not the computer's core architecture involved in memory and processing. Peripherals include input hardware, output hardware and storage devices.
A typical desktop computer could include:
- inputs - mouse, keyboard, webcam, games controller
- outputs - screen, printer, speakers, headphones
- storage - hard drive
Inputs
Input devices including camera, mouse, keyboard and scanner. Input devices send signals into the computer that have to be interpreted by the operating system using drivers. Some of the most common input devices include: Keyboard - used to enter characters and data into computers. A QWERTY keyboard uses the standard layout for English-speaking countries. The Dvorak keyboard layout is an alternative and was designed to avoid awkward key combinations. Keys on a keyboard send binary information into the computer which is interpreted using the ASCII or Unicode character sets.
Mouse - used to control a pointer on the screen of a computer.
Trackball - similar to a mouse, this is used where extreme accuracy is needed - for example, in CAD, sound and video editing, and some medical imaging applications (such as MRI scans).
Graphics tablet - a physical pad, similar in size to a mouse mat, which can be touched with a stylus or fingertips to allow highly-accurate movements on the screen. The graphics tablet is very popular with graphic designers, who can use it in a similar way to a drawing pad.
Games controller - use a combination of buttons and mini thumb-controlled joysticks.
Digital camera/web cam - used to capture and create images.
Scanners - used to copy physical printed materials into the computer. Scanners are often incorporated into printers.
Outputs
There are thousands of different output hardware devices. Some of the most common examples include:
Printer - used to print photographs, images and text onto paper and card. There are three main categories of printer: ink-jet, dot-matrix and laser. 3D printers print out very thin layers of plastic one layer at a time to build up a 3D object. 3D printing has been used in heart surgery and space technology research.
Screen - used to give us access to the programs and the file system through a command line interface or a graphical user interface. Most screens make use of LED or LCD technology.
Printer - used to print photographs, images and text onto paper and card. There are three main categories of printer: ink-jet, dot-matrix and laser. 3D printers print out very thin layers of plastic one layer at a time to build up a 3D object. 3D printing has been used in heart surgery and space technology research.
Screen - used to give us access to the programs and the file system through a command line interface or a graphical user interface. Most screens make use of LED or LCD technology.
