Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER
6
Keyboard, Mouse, and Other Peripherals
Our awesome PC is built. We attached the side panels, connected our
speakers and display, and plugged in the power cable, and we're ready to flip
the switch. While we certainly could do that, we wouldn't get very far. That's
because when we turn on the computer for the very first time, the UEFI BIOS
that bootstraps the entire computer would ask us to press any key to continue.
In order to do that, we need a keyboard connected. And since the Maximus
VI Formula motherboard has a graphical user interface, a mouse should also
be connected to effortlessly navigate around the UEFI BIOS settings.
In addition to a keyboard and mouse, we will consider a few entertainment-
related peripherals. These include 3D hardware to take advantage of the BenQ
NVIDIA 3D Vision 2 compatibility, a racing rig for driving simulations, and a
peek into world of virtual reality with the help of the Oculus Rift virtual-real-
ity headset.
Keyboard
Computer keyboards (and mice, for that matter) are extremely subjective and
very personal devices. It is with this collection of plastic and metal that we
users connect with our PCs. A keyboard is the original computer touch
interface and, quite frankly, not much has changed with its design since its
inception.
Historically descended from the QWERTY typewriter, the original keyboard
that shipped with the famed IBM PC from the 1980s was a solid and well-
built peripheral. For those old enough to recall using one, the distinctive
aspect of the keyboard was its finely tuned click-clack response of pressing
the keys. As the PC became more commoditized, the materials used to con-
struct the keyboard became cheaper. Cost often overrode quality and plenty
of junky keyboards were manufactured and sold as a result.
