Examples of Input and Output Peripherals

The peripherals, in computing, are the devices or elements that connect to the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer and facilitate communication between the computer and the external environment. For example: the mouse, the printer, the speakers.

Also called devices, peripherals are classified according to their function in:

• input peripherals. They are used to introduce data and signals from the external environment to the processing unit of the computer for processing. For example: keyboard, mouse, or microphone.
• output peripherals. They reproduce to the outside what happens in the computer, so that the information can be known by the user. The output peripherals are responsible for reproducing the information from the device in the form of text, graphics, drawing, photography or three-dimensional spaces. For example: the printer, speakers, or monitor.

Although In Spanish language the peripheral term is usually used to talk about something auxiliary or complementary, it is important mention that many of these devices are essential for the user to be able to use the computer.

Input peripherals characteristics

Some characteristics of the input peripherals are:

• They allow data or information to be entered into a computer.
• They allow the interaction between the user or the external medium and the computer.
• They can connect to the computer via a cable or wirelessly.
• They are part of hardware and are updated according to technological advances.
• They are comfortable and easy to use by the user and some are essential to be able to use the computer.
• Depending on the type of information they transmit, they can be audio, image, text or composite input devices.

Examples of input peripherals

1. Keyboard. It is a device that is made up of buttons with letters, numbers, commands and symbols that allow information to be entered into the computer. There is a wide variety of computer keyboards, and the most popular is the QWERTY type.
2. mouse or mouse. It is a device that is placed on a flat surface and allows you to move a cursor on the screen to carry out tasks. It is complemented by the keyboard and the orders are given by clicking on one of its two buttons (right or left). There are different types of mice and in laptops they are usually replaced by a touch pad that performs the same function.
3. Scanner. It is a device that allows you to convert a physical sheet or photograph into computer pixels. It is a device that is usually part of multifunction printers that, in addition to scanning, print and make photocopies.
4. Webcam. It is a device that works like a small camera, which allows you to take pictures, film and transmit that data to the computer. Laptops usually come with a small webcam included.
5. joy stick. It is a device that works like a joystick that the user manipulates and this allows him to recreate movements on the computer. It is frequently used with video game programs.
6. Microphone. It is a device that allows input of audio from the external medium to the computer. Laptops usually come with a microphone.
7. fingerprint sensor. It is a device that allows reading and identifying fingerprints and is usually used to control the entry of people to a physical place, such as an office or an airport.
8. barcode scanner. It is a device that has a laser that reads barcodes and emits the information obtained from the code. It is frequently used in supermarkets and shopping centers to provide and obtain information about a certain product. It can be wireless or connect to the computer via a cable.
9. Graphic tablet. It is a device that consists of a flat base on which the user can draw or write and that image is projected on the computer. It connects to the computer via a cable or wirelessly and the user uses a stylus to work on it.
10. Optical pencil. It is a device that consists of a pencil-shaped accessory, which is used to touch the screen of a computer and execute actions or functions.

Output peripherals characteristics

Some characteristics of the output peripherals are:

• They are devices that are part of the hardware and transmit, in a language known to the user, data or information from the computer.
• They allow the interaction between the user or the external medium and the computer.
• They can connect to the computer via a cable or wirelessly.
• They are updated according to technological advances.
• They are comfortable and easy to use by the user and some are essential.
• Depending on the type of information they transmit, they can be audio or image input devices.

Examples of output peripherals

1. Monitor. It is an output device that, through various light points, reproduces in an image what the computer is doing. Monitors have evolved since the origin of computers, especially in the resolution of their screen.
2. Printer. It is a device that, by means of liquid ink cartridges, reproduces a document or computer image on paper or other support. The printer can be connected to the computer via a cable or wirelessly.
3. speakers. It is a device that reproduces the sounds that are emitted from the computer. These can be sounds from programs, files from voice, music, among others.
4. Headphones. It is a device that is used individually and that reproduces the sounds of the computer. You can connect via a cable or wirelessly.
5. digital projector. It is a device that allows the images of the monitor to be projected and transmitted on a large surface, such as a wall.

I/O peripherals

There is a group of peripherals that are called input/output peripherals because they fulfill both functions: they introduce information from the outside into the device and they also reproduce the information from the computer in the external environment. Such is the case of multifunction printers, which function as an output device when they print and as an input device when they scan a document.

Another example of this type of peripheral is smartphones, which allow information to be exchanged with the computer and function as an input and output device according to the needs of the user. Touch monitors are also another case of input/output devices, because they display information from the computer to the user and allow the user to enter new data by tapping on the screen.

Follow with: