This document details the different storage devices available for computers along with their advantages and disadvantages. It additionally provides examples of different peripherals categorized under Input and Output.
HDD (Hard Disk Drive) – A HDD is used in most standard PCs (Personal Computers) as a form of data
storage that stores data by spinning a set of magnetised discs around extremely fast with a needle
hovering above it to send transmissions interpreted as data.
SSD (Solid State Drive) –A SDD is a storage device that operates in a similar fashion to RAM (Random
Access Memory) but instead the data is allowed to be permanently stored.
Pen Drive - A Pen Drive is a small USB device that can be plugged in to a user’s computer to store
small amounts of data on it.
External HDD – An External HDD is essentially just an internal HDD; however it can be used in the
same way a Pen Drive can.
CD/DVD/Blu-Ray – These discs allow transfer of data between itself and the device that is currently
reading it by projecting lasers off of the bottom surface of the disc.
Memory Cards – Memory cards are typically used on digital cameras to store images and videos on.
SD cards are usually used to transfer stored data between digital cameras and computers.
Input Devices:
Mouse – A USB mouse is connected to the computer through a USB port and is used to
control and manipulate the on-screen mouse and GUI (Graphical User Interface) Operating
System.
Keyboard – A USB keyboard is connected to the computer through the USB port and is used
to add letters and numbers to any suitable file formats on computers.
Microphone – A Microphone allows a user to speak in to the device or record sounds to
input those sounds on the computer.
Webcam – This device allows users to record and stream whatever footage is currently being
shown through the camera on their device.
Scanner – The scanner lets users place a physical document in to the scanner and have it
generated in to a digital picture format which is then saved on the computer.
Graphics Tablet – This device allows users to use a stylus to manipulate an art program by
drawing lines.
Controller – A controller will allow you to more fluently interact with some features of a
computer remotely, such as opening the disk drive or playing an audio file.
Mobile Phone – A mobile phone can connect to the computer to download and upload files
between the two devices.
Camera – A digital camera will allow the user to connect to the computer and upload any
images or videos it has captured.
Output Devices:
Monitor – A monitor will display the information the computer is processing, usually this will
be a GUI Operating System like Windows 7.
Speakers – A speaker will project any supported digital audio formats as sound waves.
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