3.4 Input and Output

A device, usually external to a computer, that is plugged into a computer's communication port or is connected wirelessly. Common peripherals are keyboards, mice, monitors, speakers, and printers.

• Peripheral

• Touch Screen

• Inkjet Printer

• Laser Printer

A display device that allows a user to interact with a computer by touching, tapping, and swiping areas on the screen.

• Touch Screen

• Inkjet Printer

• Laser Printer

• Scanner

A printer that sprays small dots of ink from an ink reservoir onto a sheet of paper.

• Inkjet Printer

• Laser Printer

• Scanner

• Universal Serial Bus (USB)

A printer that uses electrical charges and heat to fuse tiny plastic particles (called toner) to the paper.

• Laser Printer

• Scanner

• Universal Serial Bus (USB)

• FireWire

A device that can be connected to a computer or network that scans paper documents and converts them into digital files.

• Scanner

• Universal Serial Bus (USB)

• FireWire

• Video Graphics Array (VGA) Connector

A common interface used to connect peripherals, such as mice, keyboards, printers, and digital cameras to a computer.

• Universal Serial Bus (USB)

• FireWire

• Video Graphics Array (VGA) Connector

• Digital Visual Interface (DVI) Connector

An uncommon interface used to connect peripherals such as digital cameras and external hard drives to a computer.

• FireWire

• Video Graphics Array (VGA) Connector

• Digital Visual Interface (DVI) Connector

• High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) Connector

A connector, identified by its blue color and three rows of pins, that is used to connect older monitors to a computer.

• Video Graphics Array (VGA) Connector

• Digital Visual Interface (DVI) Connector

• High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) Connector

• Registered Jack 45 (RJ-45) Connector

A connector, typically white with three rows of eight pins, designed to connect digital monitors to a computer.

• Digital Visual Interface (DVI) Connector

• High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) Connector

• Registered Jack 45 (RJ-45) Connector

• Thunderbolt

A connector used to connect a computer to an HDMI monitor or TV.

• High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) Connector

• Registered Jack 45 (RJ-45) Connector

• Thunderbolt

• Infrared