Computing: Types of Hardware

Computing: Types of Hardware

1. Input Device

   • A Piece of hardware that sends information to a computer system
   • They are either Manual or Automatic
     • Manual Examples: Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone, Touchscreen etc.
     • Automatic Examples: Sensors, Barcode Readers, Magnetic stripe readers

2. Output Device

   • A Device that is used to output data previously entered into a compuer
   • Examples: Monitor, Printer, Plotter, Speaker

3. Processing Device

   • Inbetween Input & Output, there must be a process.
   • Computers have a CPU. It's responsible for taking data that is input, and processing it like saving it to memory.
   • The more powerful the processing device, the more powerful the computer.

4. Storage Device

   • Once data is input and processed, it needs to be stored. It may be temporary or permanent
   • Any storage device is any media that can be used to store data.
   • Examples: Hard disk, DVDs, CDs, Flash Memory (USB)

5. Communication Device

   • A Device which is designed to move information from once place to another.
   • Examples: Modems and Routers

6. Peripheral Device

   • It is a hardware device which connects to the computer and is controlled by the CPU
   • Examples: Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse