Computer Input Devices

Published on 11/11/2020 by Etopcollection
Laptop Buying Guide

14 Most Useful Computer Input Devices

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What is the input?

An input means to give or to provide something to do process to the computer or laptop. When a computer receives signals or commands from the external source of the different devices, this type of action is called an input.

What is mean by device?

A device is an object or system that has a specific purpose or intention. The primary function of the device is to put information into the computer or laptop and get information out of the computer or laptop.

What is an input device?

An input device is a type of hardware that enables the user to put commands, signals, data, or information to a computer. The central processing unit (CPU) of the computer receives the input through the device, processes it, and gives the output. For this process, which type of object is used by the user is called an input device. 

An input device is anything that puts information inside a computer. It is a hardware device that sends information into the CPU. Without any input devices, a computer would simply be a display device and not allow users to interact with it.

The most common input devices are the keyboard and mouse, but there are many other input devices. Here is a list of some input devices used in computers.

What is the importance of input devices?

Input devices are significant for the use of computers and laptops because they allow the user to interact with and add new information to a computer. For example, if a computer had no input devices, it could run by itself, but there would be no way to change its settings, fix errors, or other various user interactions. Without computer devices, the user can't be able to add new information to the computer, like text, documents, images, audio, video, etc.

14 Most Useful Computer Input Devices

1. Keyboard

The keyboard is a primary input device used in almost all computers and laptops.

The use of the keyboard is to provide data and commands to the computer. It has different sets of keys like alphanumeric keys, function keys, arrow keys, and control keys. A user can feed data, give instructions, and select icons or commands by using the relevant keys. Keyboards are connected to the computer through USB or Bluetooth for wireless communication.  

2. Mouse

The mouse is a handheld input device used to move the cursor or pointer across the screen. When the user moves the mouse on the mouse pad, the mouse pointer moves in a direction that the user can want to do. The use of the mouse is to select, scroll, open or close, drag and drop, hover, etc. The flat surface is the proper place for the movements of the mouse. It has two buttons for clicking and a wheel in the middle for scrolling up and down documents and web pages. A mouse is connected to a computer through different ports, depending on the type of mouse and computer. 

Nowadays, users can use a cordless or wireless mouse. A mouse that connects to a computer without the use of wires is called a cordless or wireless mouse. Instead of cord or wire, the mouse uses some manner of wireless technology, like Bluetooth, RF, or infrared radio waves. Usually, The USB receiver is plugged into the computer or laptop and receives signals from the cordless mouse. You must choose the best computer mouse for your computer or laptop.

3. Scanner

A scanner is an input device that scans documents such as photographs, text pages, and images. It converts the image or text into a digital format. A scanner is able only to send the information to the computer, and it cannot receive information from the computer so that the scanner is called an input device.

There are different types of scanners:

Drum Scanner

Flatbed Scanner

Photo Scanner

Handheld Scanner

Sheet-fed Scanner

Large Format Scanner

Multifunction Scanner

Film Scanner

Roller Scanner

3D Scanner

Planetary Scanner

4. Touchpad

A touchpad is a common substitute for a computer mouse. The touchpads found in laptops, and it's rare to find laptops without a touchpad. It has two buttons, like a mouse for left-click and right-click. With the help of a touchpad, you can do all the tasks like a mouse. You can move or control the cursor or pointer by using your finger. You can open a file or folder, select the object or text, copy, paste, delete, etc.

5. Touch screen

The touch screen is a display screen device like tablets and smartphones. Users can use fingers and provide inputs to the device. With the help of a touch screen, users can interact with a computer by using fingers. The most common functions of touch screens are tap, double-tap, touch and hold, drag, swipe, pinch, etc.  

6. Microphone

A microphone is an input device that allows the user to input the sound into the computers. It captures the audio sound and sends it to a computer. The CPU converts it into a digital format and store in the memory. Then it can be played back, edit, upload, or forward. The microphone also enables the user to telecommunicate with others, online chatting, presentations, video conferencing, computer games, recording music, etc.

7. Joystick

A joystick is a pointing device like a mouse. You can control the movement of the cursor, pointer characters, and video games on the screen. The joysticks are of different types such as isometric, displacement, finger-operated, hand-operated, etc

8. Digital Camera

A digital camera is an input device that takes pictures digitally and stores them on a memory card. On the screen of the computer, you can preview and review the images you can edit or print them.

9. Webcam

A webcam is an input device that is either connected to the computer by USB or inbuilt on laptops. It is capable of taking still pictures or motion video in front of it. The images and videos are saved and stored in computer memory. It works as a digital camera, but there is a difference in that it can take compact digital photos. These photos can be shared and uploaded easily on web pages.

10. Barcode Reader

A barcode reader is an automatic input device that uses visible red light to scan or read the barcode. The reflected light translates into an analog signal that is decoded by the computer to identify the product details from the database.

11. Magnetic Ink Character Reader

MICR-Magnetic ink character reader is a device that can recognize the character or originality of paper documents printed with a special magnetic ink. This device is mainly used in banks to process a large number of cheques and other documents.

12. Graphic Tablet/ Stylus

A graphic tablet is an input device that can use to write or draw pictures on the screen of a graphic tablet or device. It can convert the hand-drawn artwork into digital images. The user can draw with a stylus on a flat surface like a drawing on paper. The user can save, edit, or print the picture as a hard copy. 

13. Biometric devices

A biometric device is an input device used to input biometric data into a computer. It can identify a person with fingerprints, face structure, or eye cornea. Biometric devices can be of different types based on their scanning features, such as;

Face Scanner

Hand Scanner

Fingerprint Scanner

Voice Scanner

14. Light Pen

A light pen is a computer input device that looks like a pen. The tip of the light pen contains a light the sensitive detector that enables the user to point to or select objects on the display screen. Its light-sensitive point detects the object's location and sends the corresponding signals to the computer.

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