1.2 Input Devices

  1.2 Input Devices

Input devices are hardware components that allow users to enter data and instructions into a computer system, enabling communication between the user and the computer for processing.

Examples of Input Devices:

• Mouse
• Keyboard
• Joystick
• Microphone
• Scanner
• Webcam
• Touchscreen
• Touchpad

 

Mouse

• A mouse is a hand-held pointing input device used to control the movement of the pointer on a computer screen and to give commands through actions like clicking, double-clicking, right-clicking, dragging, and scrolling.
• A standard mouse has three buttons: left button, right button, and scroll wheel.

 

Keyboard

• A keyboard is the most common input device used to enter text, numbers, symbols, and commands into a computer.
• Most common layout = QWERTY (named after first six keys on top row).
• A standard keyboard has 104 keys (more in multimedia keyboards), grouped into alphabet keys, numeric keys, cursor movement keys, function keys, and special purpose keys

 

Joystick

• A joystick is an input device with a stick that can be moved in different directions and is mainly used for controlling movements in video games and simulations.

 

Microphone

• A microphone is an input device that captures sound and converts it into digital signals for communication, recording, and conferencing.
• Common uses: voice chat, video calls, online meetings (Skype, Viber, Zoom, Messenger, etc.).

 

Scanner

• A scanner is an input device that converts physical documents or images into digital format for storage and editing in a computer.
• Example: Scanning printed notes or photos to save in a computer.

 

Webcam

• A webcam is an input device that captures real-time video and audio for online communication, conferencing, and streaming.

 

Touchscreen

• A touchscreen is an input-output device that allows users to interact directly with a computer by touching its display to give commands and view results.
• Examples: Smartphones, Tablets, ATMs, Laptops, POS (billing machines).

 

Touchpad

• A touchpad (trackpad) is a built-in pointing device in laptops that lets users move the cursor and perform clicks by sliding or tapping fingers.