This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Common Peripherals
Many devices connect to a computer to provide input, such as a mouse or keyboard, or output, such as a display. Some devices can be both input and output devices, such as smart TVs, Musical Instrument Digital Interface– (MIDI–) enabled devices (which are electronic musical devices), touch screens, or printers. In the case of a printer, data is sent from a computer to the printer, and the printer can send data (information), such as an out-of-ink message, back to the computer. Figure 1.23 shows some common input and output devices.
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Figure 1.23 Input and output devices
Table 1.4 lists various peripherals that you will see used and attached to computers today. We will be examining some of these devices in more depth and learn how to configure them, but this is a good chapter to get the basics.
Table 1.4 Common peripherals
Peripheral |
Description |
|---|---|
Printer |
An output device that transfers information such as text and graphics from a computer onto paper or other media (see Figure 1.24). |
Flatbed scanner |
An input device that digitizes words or graphics and can be used as a copier. A scanner may have an automatic document feeder (ADF) that allows one or more documents to be fed into the scanner (see Figure 1.24). |
All-in-one printer |
A device that has a printer, scanner, copier, and sometimes fax capabilities. Sometimes known as a multifunction printer (see Figure 1.24). |
Camera/webcam |
An input device used to provide live video feed such as when you participate in a video conference or capture video images or motion (see Figure 1.25). More information can be found in Chapter 8, “Video and Multimedia Devices.” |
Microphone |
An input device used to capture sound (see Figure 1.25). More information can be found in Chapter 8. |
Headset |
An input/output device that commonly has a microphone and headphones, as shown in Figure 1.25. |
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Figure 1.24 Printer, scanner, and all-in-one printer
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Figure 1.25 Camera/webcam, headset, and microphone