Computer Peripherals

Computer peripherals are those internal and external devices that are used to insert and output information to and from the computer system. They are auxiliary devices that can be detachable from the computer which is not fully required for a computer to function. For example, even if the keyboard or mouse is unplugged from the computer, the computer system will still load/boot up.

You can look at peripheral devices as those devices that provides ease functionality to the computer system. They are two major types of computer peripherals which are the internal and external peripherals.

Internal Peripheral Devices

These are devices that are usually attached inside the computer system but are removable when the need arises.

• 1. Card Reader - A device that reads data from storage medium devices such as memory cards.
• 2. TV Card - Hardware device that gives you the funtionality of allowing you watch TV from your computer and vice versa.
• 3. Sound Card - Sound card is a device used inside a computer system to generate audio signals which it sends to the computer speakers to generate sound.
• 4. Graphics Card - This is device that is responsible for the control of how the images are being displayed in the monitor.
• 5. CD-ROM - Compact Disk Read Only Memory is a storage device that is used to keep files.
• 6. Network Interface Card - A network interface card is computer peripheral device that provides means by which a computer can connect to a network.
• 7. Modem - This is networking hardware computer device that is used to convert digital data/information to analog signal that can be sent over cable wires

External Peripheral Devices

These are devices that are not attached to the computer system, they are usually seen to be used outside the computer system.

• 1. Mouse - A pointer device that is used for navigation and cursor control.
• 2. Keyboard - A peripheral device used to input letters, numbers, symbols and implement other special functions. As either said when discussing about computer hardware components, the keyboard is divided into various parts which have their various functions.
• 3. Speaker - This is an external peripheral device that gives out audio sounds gotten from inputs from either microphones or multimedia softwares.
• 4. Scanner - They convert hardcopy of files or documents into digital form that can be seen and displayed in a computer system.
• 5. JoyStick - A joystick is a device used to control the position and movement of the pointer in computer systems.
• 6. Light Pen - A light pen is light sensitive device used to draw lines, shapes, images and also move over them in a monitor of a computer system.
• 7. Projector - A project is device that project images or video onto a wall surface.
• 8. Printer - This peripheral device takes software copy of files displayed in monitors and puts that into a paper sheet(hardcopy files).
• 9. Plotter - A plotter is a printer that is used to print vector graphics.
• 10. Microphone - This a device that is used to record sounds. It converts sound into electrical signals which can be stored in the computer and read by the sound card producing an output through the speakers.
• 11. External Camera - This is a video and image capturing device that is attached to the computer for taking images and recording video shots.
• 12. Floppy Disks - They are computer peripherals that is made up of magnetic sealed plastic material which is used as a storage device for keeping data, file or information.
• 13. Monitor (Except Laptops) - They are also peripheral devices that displays information on the screen. Aside from laptops in which the monitor screen is attached to it, other desktop screens can be regarded as a peripheral device.