Input and output peripherals

Main article: Peripheral

Input and output devices are typically housed externally to the main computer chassis. The following are either standard or very common to many computer systems.

Wheel mouse

[edit]Input

Main article: Input device

• Text input devices
  • Keyboard - a device to input text and characters by depressing buttons (referred to as keys or buttons).
• Pointing devices
  • Mouse - a pointing device that detects two dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface.
    • Optical Mouse - uses light (laser technology) to determine mouse motion.
  • Trackball - a pointing device consisting of an exposed protruding ball housed in a socket that detects rotation about two axes.
  • Touchscreen - senses the user pressing directly on the monitor.

• Gaming devices
  • Joystick - a hand-operated pivoted stick whose position is transmitted to the computer.
  • Game pad - a hand held game controller that relies on the digits (especially thumbs) to provide input.
  • Game controller - a specific type of controller specialized for certain gaming purposes.
• Image, Video input devices
  • Image scanner - a device that provides input by analyzing images, printed text, handwriting, or an object.
  • Web cam - a video camera used to provide visual input that can be easily transferred over the internet.
• Audio input devices
  • Microphone - an acoustic sensor that provides input by converting sound into electrical signals.

[edit]Output

Main article: Output device

• Printer - a device that produces a permanent human-readable text or graphic document.
  • Laser printer
  • Inkjet printer
  • Dot matrix printer
  • Thermal printer
• Computer monitors
• Speakers