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Computer Peripherals Devices
In this article, we will let you know what are Computer Peripherals devices, and the meaning of peripherals. Also, get to know the list of peripherals devices with examples.
While using a computer, what devices and parts of it do you use? The monitor, the CPU, the mouse, the keyboard, or anything else – this list can go on.
Well, it depends on your requirements as well as what devices and parts you want to use.
What do you use when it comes to putting in and getting out information from the computer – An SD card or something else? Well, we term them as computer peripherals.
So, what do know about computer peripherals? What are they? How many types of computer peripherals are there? What more should you know about them?
In this write-up, we will learn about Computer Peripherals – meaning, importance and types. Let’s start.
What are Peripherals Devices?
Usually defined as any auxiliary device such as a keyboard, mouse, or a monitor, a Peripheral device is the one that connects to and works with the computer to put in or get out information from it.
Computer peripherals are connected to the computer with different connection types.
They are not one of the core devices for a computer which indicates that a computer can properly function without connecting a Peripheral device to it.
Peripheral devices provide an extra function as well as data input and output functionality to the computer.
How important are peripherals in a computer?
The importance of computer peripheral devices can be understood by the fact that without them the communication with your computer will become far more limited.
Computer peripherals are the external devices to your computer that allow taking in and putting out information in audible as well as visible from along the performing other important tasks.
Several devices such as scanners, audio-visual equipment, printers, and external drive allow us to fully utilize the resources of the computer.
All the devices are external to the computer and hooked up electronically with cables or through a wireless connection to the main computer but remain separate from the main or cooperating functions of the computer.
What is not a peripheral device?
Before you dig deep into understanding the types and list of peripheral devices, let’s understand non-peripheral devices.
This information will also be useful as they form the computer parts that are critical and core for the functioning of the computer system.
Also, all the devices not categorized as non-peripheral devices are called peripheral devices.
CPU is a non-peripheral computer device because a computer system can never work without a Central Processing Unit or CPU
Memory is also a non-peripheral computer device as the data processed by the computer is stored inside memory and without that, a CPU cannot function
The Mainboard or Motherboard is a non-peripheral computer device as all other core computer parts are connected to it and communicate over the same
Hard Disk Drive or Storage is a non-peripheral computer device because it stores the processed data for long term usage
Types of Computer Peripheral Devices
Peripheral devices can be of different types based on their type of connection to the system as well as data transmission direction.
According to the type of connection, the types of peripheral devices are categorized as follows:-
Internal Peripheral Devices
Devices that are generally located inside the computer system cases and termed internet due to their location are termed as Internal Peripheral Devices.
Some of the internal peripheral devices are as follows:-
Floppy Disk
A type of storage media that reads the data storage information is known as a floppy disk or floppy diskette. It is used to store electronic data such as a computer files.
Floppy disks do not come with high storage capacity making them inappropriate for high-storage resolution photos.
However, they offer portability, compatibility, and boot disks.
CD-ROM
CD or compact disc is a circular, flat, and portable storage medium used for recording, playback, and storage of audio, video, and other data.
Graphic/ Video Card
Also known as a video controller, video board, display adapter or video adapter, a graphic or video card is a PC component that connects to the motherboard of the computer.
It is an expansion card that controls and calculates the appearance of images on the screen and is used for improving the picture quality to show on display.
In other words, it is a piece of hardware that processes the graphics portion of the processing load with the CPU normally handling most of the tasks.
Sound Card
Referred to as a soundboard, audio card or audio output device, a sound card is an expansion component of the PC.
It provides audio output and input capabilities in the computers which the users can hear with the help of headphones or speakers.
Although a computer can or cannot have a soundcard, every machine includes it either as built-in into the motherboard or in an expansion slot.
Sound cards make capable of configuring as well as utilizing through a device driver and software application.
Monitors (Only laptops)
Also known as a Video Display Terminal or a Video Display Unit, a monitor is an electronic output device used to display images, video, texts, and graphic information that are generated by a computer via the video card of the computer.
External Peripheral Devices
Located outside of the computer system chassis or case, external peripheral devices connect different types of connections and cables.
Some of the external peripheral devices are as follows:-
External CD-ROM/ DVD Drive
CD or compact disc is a circular, flat, and portable storage medium used for recording, playback, and storage of audio, video, and other data.
DVD or Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc is a digital optical disc storage format used for storing high-capacity data such as high-quality videos and movies.
It can also store the operating system.
External Floppy Disk
A type of storage media that reads the data storage information is known as a floppy disk or floppy diskette. It is used to store electronic data such as a computer files.
Floppy disks do not come with high storage capacity making them inappropriate for high-storage resolution photos.
However, they offer portability, compatibility, and boot disks.
A small hardware input device used by hands, it is responsible for controlling the movements of the cursor on the computer screen while allowing the users to select and move folders, files, icons, and texts on a computer.
The mouse needs to be put on a hard and flat surface to use. When the user moves the mouse, the cursor moves in that direction on the computer screen.
Keyboard
One of the primary input devices, a keyboard allows the users to input text into a computer or any electronic machinery.
The keyboard is a peripheral device that serves as a basic way for users to communicate with a computer.
Consisting of multiple buttons, users can create numbers, letters, and symbols and perform other functions with the help of a keyboard.
Printer
A hardware output device, a printer is used to print any document or generate a hard copy.
The document can be of any type like an image, text file, or a combination of them.
A printer accepts the input command by the users on a computer or other devices to print the document or file you want.
Scanner
A scanner or an image scanner is a device that is used to optically scan images, handwriting, printed text or an object and convert it into a digital image.
The scanner is an input device that creates the electronic version of the document that can be edited or viewed on a computer.
USB Disk/ External Hard Disk
A compact plug-and-play storage medium that uses flash storage is called a flash drive or USB flash drive.
It is compact enough to connect to a keychain – the system can identify the device as a removable drive and assigns a drive letter when you plug the flash drive into the USB port of the computer.
It can store data backup and other essential files you want.
Monitor (Except laptops)
Also known as a Video Display Terminal or a Video Display Unit, a monitor is an electronic output device used to display images, video, texts and graphic information that are generated by a computer via the video card of the computer.
Input Peripheral Devices
Devices used to input data into the computer system are termed input peripheral devices.
Their main purpose is to get different types of input, digitalize it and forward it for processing to the Mainboard.
Some of the input peripheral devices are as follows:-
Mouse
A small hardware input device used by hands, it is responsible for controlling the movements of the cursor on the computer screen while allowing the users to select and move folders, files, icons, and texts on a computer.
The mouse needs to be put on a hard and flat surface to use. When the user moves the mouse, the cursor moves in that direction on the computer screen.
Keyboard
One of the primary input devices, a keyboard allows the users to input text into a computer or any electronic machinery.
The keyboard is a peripheral device that serves as a basic way for users to communicate with a computer.
Consisting of multiple buttons, users can create numbers, letters and symbols and perform other functions with the help of a keyboard.
Graphic tablet
A computer input device, a graphics tablet enables the users to hand-draw images, graphics, and animations with the help of a special pen-like stylus.
The manner of drawing is similar to the way a person would draw with a pencil and paper. These tablets are also used to capture handwritten signatures or data.
Scanner
A scanner or an image scanner is a device that is used to optically scan images, handwriting, printed text or an object and convert it into a digital image.
The scanner is an input device that creates the electronic version of the document that can be edited or viewed on a computer.
Touch screen
An assembly of both an input as well as an output device, a touch screen has a touch panel that is generally layered on the top of an electronic visual display of an information processing system.
The display can be LCD, AMOLED, or OLED with the system usually as a tablet, computer, or laptop.
Barcode reader
An optical scanner, a barcode reader is used to read the printed barcodes, decode the data collected from the barcode and send it to the computer.
Similar to a flatbed scanner, it has a light source, a lens and a light sensor that translates the optical impulses into electrical signals.
Webcam
A small digital video camera, a webcam connects to a computer that captures pictures or motion video. It is also known as a web camera.
These cameras come along with software that has to be installed on the computer that helps in transmitting the video on the internet in real-time.
It can take pictures as well as videos in both low and high quality.
Microphone
An input device, a microphone is used to convert sound waves into electric waves or input audio into a computer.
Microphones capture audio by converting sound waves into an electrical signal which can be both digitals as well as an analog signal.
A microphone can be used for voice recording, voice recognition, recording sounds of musical instruments, enabling online chatting, allowing voice over internet protocol, computer gaming, and more.
Joystick
A computer input device, a joystick is commonly used to control gaming applications as well as graphic applications.
Generally, the use of a joystick is to manage a machine or character in a computer program.
It includes a base and a stick that can be moved to the left or right direction; also, it can be rotated in different amounts to handle the movement of the cursor in a computer device.
With the help of maneuvering a lever on the joystick, the movement of a pointer or cursor is controlled.
They consist of extra buttons for additional functionality and look similar to the control device found on an arcade game.
Memory Card/ SD Card Reader
A memory card is a type of storage device used to store videos, photos, or other data files. It offers a volatile and non-volatile medium to store data from the inserted device.
Commonly, it’s used in devices like phones, digital cameras, laptops, game consoles, printers, and more.
An SD card reader is a device that is used to read the information on a memory card and input and output data from it.
Output Peripheral Devices
Mainly used to show and output the information in different formats such as image, video, and sound to the users of the system are termed output peripheral devices.
Some of the output peripheral devices are as follows:-
Monitor
Also known as a Video Display Terminal or a Video Display Unit, a monitor is an electronic output device used to display images, video, texts, and graphic information that are generated by a computer via the video card of the computer.
An output device capable of connecting to a computer, a projector can serve as another option for a television or monitor in terms of displaying images or videos to a large audience.
It takes the images generated by a Blu-ray player or a computer and then projects the images onto a larger surface or screen.
Printer
A hardware output device, a printer is used to print any document or generate a hard copy.
The document can be of any type like an image, text file, or a combination of them.
A printer accepts the input command by the users on a computer or other devices to print the document or file you want.
Speaker
Used to connect to a computer to generate sound, speakers are one of the most common output devices.
The primary goal of a speaker is to provide audio output for the users. It converts the electromagnetic waves into sound waves through the speaker as they act as transducers.
Composite Peripheral Devices
Used both in input and output data, composite peripheral devices are those that are generally used to transmit data and act as an intermediate hop.
Some of the composite peripheral devices are as follows:-
Floppy Disk
A type of storage media that reads the data storage information is known as a floppy disk or floppy diskette.
It is used to store electronic data such as a computer files.
Floppy disks do not come with high storage capacity making them inappropriate for high-storage resolution photos.
However, they offer portability, compatibility, and boot disks.
CD-ROM/ DVD Drive
CD or compact disc is a circular, flat, and portable storage medium used for recording, playback, and storage of audio, video, and other data.
DVD or Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc is a digital optical disc storage format used for storing high-capacity data such as high-quality videos and movies.
It can also store the operating system.
Network Interface Card
A hardware component present on the computer, a network interface card is used to connect different networking devices such as servers and computers for data sharing over the network.
It provides functionality like I/O interrupt support, direct memory access or DMO interfaces, data transmission, and partitioning.
Modem
A device that modulates or demodulates the signal, a modem is a box-type device that connects your home/office network directly to the internet.
It maintains a dedicated connection with the internet service provider to ensure that you get the connection for your office or home.
In other words, it serves as a bridge between the internet line and the computer.
Flash Drive
A compact plug-and-play storage medium that uses flash storage is called a flash drive or USB flash drive.
It is compact enough to connect to a keychain – the system can identify the device as a removable drive and assigns a drive letter when you plug the flash drive into the USB port of the computer.
It can store data backup and other essential files you want.
Hello! My name is Mansi Shrivastava who happens to have a knack for writing. It has not always been what I admired but developing into a writer was something I appreciate the most now. When not glued to the computer screen, I love to try my hand in arts and crafts. Also, binge-watching with a bowl of snacks has always been my thing.
Also Read:-
Parts of computer, functions, and images
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Limitations and characteristics of computer
THANKS FOR INFORMATION.