Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
You can have the greatest processor and best RAM in the
world, but unless you give these devices directions as to what
to do with themselves, you'll get nothing back. That's where
input devices come in. They help you put data into a computer for processing.
In this chapter, we'll review the various types of devices that people use to give a
computer instructions, including essential user-input tools like keyboards and mice. We'll
also look at many of the technologies used for data storage and retrieval in a PC, such as
hard disks, CDs, fl ash drives, and so on.
Core Input Devices
A variety of input devices exist for entering data into a computer. The oldest method that's
still in use today is the alphanumeric keyboard. Some other types of input devices include the
numeric keypad, mouse, touch screen, and game controller. In this section, we'll review
the function of each of these input device types.
Keyboards
Computer keyboards are the descendants of typewriter keyboards. They enable users
to enter text and numeric input for documents and other data fi les. Figure 2.1 shows a
typical keyboard.
FIGURE 2.1
Computerkeyboard
Photo credit: Microsoft (credit on copyright page)
