2. What is an input device?
A device that can be used to insert
data into a computer or the
computational device
3.
4. Basic input devices
Keyboards allow a computer user to input letters, numbers,
and other symbols into a computer and is what allows you
to write e-mail and is what you used to visit this web page.
Below is an example of a Saitek keyboard with indicators
pointing to each of the major sections of the keyboard.
5. Pointing device
A pointing device is a
hardware input device
that allows the user to
move the mouse pointer.
Good examples of
pointing devices are a
computer
mouse, trackball, light
pens, touchpad, and even
the keyboard. In the
picture to the right, is a
Microsoft mouse and an
example of a pointing
device.
6. Pointing device. Trackball
An input device that
looks like an upsidedown mouse. The
onscreen pointer is
moved by the trackball
with a thumb or finger. A
trackball requires less
arm and wrist motion
that a regular mouse
takes and therefore is
often less stressful for the
user to use
7. Pointing device. Light pen
A light pen is a light-
sensitive pointing device
commonly used to select
or otherwise modify text
or data on a screen.
8. Pointing device. Touchpad
A touchpad is an input
device found on the
majority of portable
computers, and now also
available with some
external keyboards, that
allow you to move the
mouse cursor without the
need of an external
mouse.
9. Remote
A hardware device that
allows a user to control a
device or object in another
location. In the picture to
the right, is an example of
a remote, the Harmony
One Universal Remote
from Logitech.
10. Joystick
A joystick allows an
individual to move an
object in a game such as
navigating a plane in a
flight simulator.
11. Touch screen
A monitor or other flat
surface with a sensitive
panel directly on the
screen that registers the
touch of a finger as input.
A touch screen allows a
user to interact with a
device without a mouse or
keyboard for input
12. Scanner
A scanner is a hardware
input device that allows a
user to take an image or
text and convert it into a
digital file, allowing the
computer to read or
display the scanned
object.
14. Graphics tablet
A graphics tablet is a highly accurate hardware input
device that enables an artist to draw or sketch easier
than they would be able to do with a standard
computer mouse.
15. Microphone
Sometimes abbreviated as mic, a microphone is a
hardware peripheral that allows computer users to
input audio into their computers. Most microphones
connect to the computer using the "mic" port on the
computer sound card.
16. Barcode reader
A barcode reader is a
hardware device capable of
reading a barcode and
printing out the details of
the product or logging that
product into a database.
17. Business card reader
A business card reader
allows a user to scan
business cards into their
computer for digital
storage. Computer
scanners are capable of
scanning and converting
text documents to typed
text
18. Light gun
A light gun is a pointing input device that detects light
using a photodiode in the gun barrel.
19. Magnetic card reader
A magnetic card reader is a
device that can retrieve
stored information from a
magnetic card either by
holding the card next to the
device or swiping the card
through a slot in the device.
20. Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality is a
computer-generated
artificial environment
that allows a user to
view, explore, and
manipulate the
environment
21. Output Devices
An output device is any piece of computer hardware
equipment used to communicate the results of data
processing carried out by an information processing
system (such as a computer) which converts the
electronically generated information into humanreadable form
22.
23. Monitor
A monitor is a video
display screen and the
hard shell that holds it. In
its most common
usage, monitor refers only
to devices that contain no
electronic equipment
other than what is
essentially needed to
display and adjust the
characteristics of an
image.
24. Printer
An external hardware device
responsible for taking computer
data and generating a hard copy
of that data.
25. 3D Printer
Created by Charles W.
Hull in 1984, the 3D
printer is a sophisticated
printing device that uses
a design from a digital
image to produce an
identical physical object
using material such as
metal alloys, polymers, or
plastics.
26. GPS
GPS is a network of
satellites that helps users
determine a location on
Earth. The thought of
GPS was conceived after
the launch of Sputnik in
1957.
27. Headphones
Headphones are a
hardware device that
either plugs into your
computer or your
speakers and allow you to
privately listen to audio
without disturbing
anyone else.
28. Projector
An output device that can take the display of a
computer screen and project a large version of it onto a
flat surface.
29. Plotter
A plotter is a computer hardware device similar to a
printer that uses a pen, pencil, marker or other writing
tool to make a design.
30. Speakers
A hardware device
connected to a computer's
sound card that outputs
sounds generated by the
computer.
31. TV
A TV is an electronics
device that receives a
visual and audible signal
and plays it to the viewer.
