What is Peripheral Device – Definition | Types | Examples

Written By The IoT Academy
Published on April 23rd, 2024

In the world of computers, peripheral devices are like unsung heroes that make computers do more things. They include things like keyboards and external hard drives, which help you interact with computers, process data, and store information. This guide will explore what is peripheral device, how they are classified, what types there are, what they do, and also why they matter in modern computing. So, let’s dive in and discover how these devices make our digital lives easier.

Table of Contents

What is a Peripheral Device?

A peripheral device is something extra you connect to your computer. To do more things like typing, printing, or saving files. They make it easier to use your computer and come in types. Like keyboards, mice, printers, monitors, external hard drives, and scanners. Even though you don’t need them for the basics. Also, they help you do different tasks and make your computer experience better. They are sorted into groups based on whether they help you put things in, get things out, or save things.

Classification of Peripheral Device

Peripheral device can be classified into three main categories based on their primary function:

Input Devices: Input devices are things you use to put information into your computer, like keyboards, mice, touchscreens, scanners, and digital cameras. They also let you talk to your computer and give it things to do.
Output Devices: Output devices show you stuff from your computer in a way you can understand, like monitors, printers, speakers, and projectors. They also let you see, hear, or print out things like text, pictures, sound, or videos. That your computer has made.
Storage Devices: Storage devices keep your stuff safe in your computer. Like hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), USB flash drives, memory cards, and CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. They help you save things now so you can find them later when you need them.

Types of Peripheral Device in Computer

Peripheral devices are things you connect to a computer to help it do more stuff, like typing, showing pictures, storing files, and talking to other computers. Here are some common types of peripheral devices:

Input Devices:

Keyboard: Used for typing text and entering commands.
Mouse: Enables pointing, clicking, and navigating graphical user interfaces.
Touchscreen: Allows users to interact directly with the display by touching it.
Trackpad: Commonly found on laptops, it functions similarly to a mouse.
Scanner: Converts physical documents or images into digital format.
Webcam: Captures video and images for video conferencing, streaming, or recording.
Microphone: Records audio input for tasks such as voice recognition or communication.

Output Devices:

Monitor: It displays visual output from the computer.
Printer: Produces hard copies of documents, images, or other content.
Projector: Displays computer-generated images or video onto a large screen or surface.
Speaker: Outputs audio for listening to music, watching videos, or other audio-related tasks.
Headphones/Earphones: Provide audio output for private listening.

Storage Devices:

Hard Disk Drive (HDD): Stores data on magnetic disks.
Solid State Drive (SSD): Stores data using flash memory, providing faster access times compared to HDDs.
USB Flash Drive: Portable storage device that connects via USB port.
Memory Card: Small, removable storage used primarily in digital cameras, smartphones, and other portable devices.
External Hard Drive: Provides additional storage space and connects to the computer via USB, Thunderbolt, or other interfaces.

How Peripheral Devices Work?

Peripheral devices work by plugging into your computer and doing different jobs. Like typing, showing things on a screen, storing files, or talking to other devices. So, here is a general overview of how peripheral devices work:

Connection: Peripheral devices are plugged into the computer either with wires or without wires. So, they use things like USB, HDMI, Thunderbolt, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth to connect.
Device Recognition: When you plug a device into the computer. The computer’s system like Windows, macOS, or Linux usually figures out what it is and puts in the right stuff. So it can talk to the computer.
Communication Protocol: Peripheral devices use specific communication protocols to exchange data with the computer. For example:
- Keyboards and mice talk to the computer by sending signals, either through wires or without wires.
- Monitors and printers get information from the computer and show it on the screen or print it out.
- Hard drives and flash drives move data between the computer and the peripheral device.
Driver Software: Some devices need special software called drivers to talk to the computer’s system. Also, these drivers help the device and the computer understand each other by translating what they are saying.
User Interaction: Users interact with peripheral devices to perform specific tasks. For example:
- Keyboards and mice let you tell the computer what to do and move around on the screen.
- Monitors and speakers show you things like words, pictures, and sound.
- External hard drives and USB flash drives help you save, find, and handle your files and data.
Data Processing: Depending on the type of peripheral device, data processing may occur within the device itself or the computer’s central processing unit (CPU). For example:
- Input devices take what you do and send it to the computer to figure out.
- Output devices get information from the computer and show or print what you want.
- Storage devices handle saving, finding, and organizing your stuff based on what you tell them and what the computer needs.
Feedback: Peripheral devices may provide feedback to the user to indicate status, errors, or other relevant information. For example:
- Input devices may provide visual or auditory feedback to confirm user input or indicate errors.
- Output devices may display status messages, progress indicators, or error notifications to the user.

Peripheral devices talk to the computer, help you use it, handle information, and show you things to make the computer better and easier to use.

Advantages of Peripheral Device

Adding peripheral devices to your computer makes it better and lets you do more things easily. As well as here are some key advantages:

Enhanced Input and Output Capabilities: Peripheral devices make computers better. By letting you use more ways to tell them what to do. Like with a mouse, touchscreen, or by talking, and more ways to see or hear what they’re doing. Also like, printing out stuff or playing sound and videos.
Increased Storage Capacity: External storage devices, like external hard drives, USB flash drives, and CDs. It gives you more room to keep your files safe, make backups, and organize lots of data easily.
Improved Accessibility: Generally, peripheral devices can make it easier for people with disabilities to use computers. By giving them different ways to put in or get information, like with braille displays, talking to the computer using special devices made just for them.
Enhanced Multimedia Experience: Speakers, headphones, webcams, and microphones make watching movies, listening to music, video chatting. As well as playing games more fun by giving you better sound and video.
Flexibility and Portability: Some peripheral devices are easy to carry and can be plugged into different computers. So you can use your files and gadgets in different places. Examples include USB flash drives, small external hard drives, and docks for laptops.

Examples of Peripheral Devices and Their Functions

Peripheral devices are like extra parts you add to your computer to make it better or do more things. Here are some common examples of peripheral devices and their functions:

Keyboard: A keyboard is an input device that allows users to input text, numbers, and commands into a computer. It consists of keys for letters, numbers, symbols, and special functions such as Enter, Shift, Ctrl, and Alt.
Printer: A printer is an output device that produces hard copies of digital documents, images, or graphics on paper or other media. It uses inkjet, laser, or other printing technologies to transfer the digital content onto the physical medium.
Monitor: A monitor is an output device that displays visual output from the computer, including text, images, videos, and graphics. It allows users to interact with the computer’s graphical user interface (GUI) and view multimedia content.
External Hard Drive: An external hard drive is a storage device that provides additional storage capacity for backing up files, storing multimedia content, or expanding the computer’s storage space. It connects to the computer via USB, Thunderbolt, or other interfaces and allows users to store and access large amounts of data.

Learners Also Read: Define Operating System (OS) – Types | Applications | Examples

Conclusion

In conclusion, Peripheral devices are essential parts that make computers better and easier to use. They include things like keyboards, monitors, and external hard drives, each helping in different ways. As well as these devices can be moved around easily and adapt to what users need. As technology improves, they keep getting better, making using computers smoother and more effective. So, understanding how they work and what they do helps people use them to do more and enjoy their digital lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are peripheral devices also known as?

Ans. Peripheral devices are also known as external devices or auxiliary devices.

Q. What are four common peripheral devices?

Ans. Four common peripheral devices include keyboards, printers, monitors, and external hard drives.

About The Author:

The IoT Academy

The IoT Academy as a reputed ed-tech training institute is imparting online / Offline training in emerging technologies such as Data Science, Machine Learning, IoT, Deep Learning, and more. We believe in making revolutionary attempt in changing the course of making online education accessible and dynamic.