• Peripheral equipment. Personal computer peripherals

    In lesson eight we will learn about main peripherals personal computer, i.e. O external PC devices.

    The more computer technology develops, the more incomprehensible “gimmicks” appear (both in name and in purpose). In this lesson we will look at the most basic devices that can be connected to a computer. In addition, I will try to answer the questions “is this device needed” and “how to connect it.”

    First, let's figure out what kind of words “peripheral devices” are.

    Periphery(from Greek circle) - part of something remote from the center.

    Peripheral devices(PU) - equipment designed for external information processing. In other words, these are devices located outside the system unit - external devices.

    If you have consistently read IT lessons, then we also became acquainted with:

    1. devices that are intended to enter information to the computer for processing, and
    2. devices, to display information from it.
    3. There are also devices for storing information outside the system unit (external drives).

    All of the above applies to external or peripheral devices personal computer.

    Now that we're done with the introduction, let's move on to the devices themselves, I will list them in order of importance for the average PC user.

    Keyboard and mouse

    These are the main devices for entering information, the need for them is obvious and is not discussed until touch monitors supplant conventional ones :)

    The keyboard and mouse can be connected to the computer using two types of connectors:

    • PS/2
    • USB.

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    Copying prohibited

    Video supplement

    As an extra, today's video about choosing a keyboard. Described in sufficient detail differences between keyboards, various are mentioned connection methods, affected some subtleties, which not everyone pays attention to when purchasing.

    Peripherals refer to those external computer devices that are connected to it using a USB connector. They are considered optional, although without many of them, modern users simply would not be able to work or would face great difficulties. All existing ones are usually divided into two large categories: those adapted for input and output of information. Let's take a closer look at each of these groups.

    Basic data input devices

    Keyboard

    Gadgets can carry a variety of functions, but the general purpose remains the same - to control the operation of the machine by entering information and sending special signals. Therefore, perhaps the most important and irreplaceable devices of a personal computer are various keyboards, which are necessarily included with the latter when sold. They are often external in stationary models, since laptops, netbooks and other compact models usually have a built-in keyboard.

    The main parameters for such devices are the following: convenience, design and the maximum number of key presses before it fails. Currently exists large number models for every taste, even futuristic ones. One of the most interesting new products is This model looks like a luminous projection on a plane, which is why the appearance strongly resembles a device from a science fiction film.

    Other computer peripheral devices (similar in function to the previous ones) are mice. They are laser, optical and mechanical. Mice, as well as keyboards, can be wireless. As a rule, they have a wheel or a middle button that replaces it. There are even special gaming mice for gamers. They are equipped with a large number of additional buttons and also have improved response parameters. A little aside there is a separate subspecies - trackball.

    The latter is often used in military computers, as it allows you to maintain controllability during strong vibrations and external interference. Mice have the same basic parameters as keyboards. In addition, the speed of response to the user's hand movement and resolution are important. These gadgets are another indispensable computer control device. In fact, a mouse and keyboard are a standard set for most operations performed on a PC.

    These external computer devices are mainly intended for laptops. They operate by moving your finger over the active area. There are also two buttons similar in meaning to those found on the mouse. By their standard dimensions, touchpads are small, which allows you to significantly save space.

    In addition, you should list computer peripherals such as joysticks and Both have a narrower focus. Tablets are actively used by artists and designers, while joysticks are most popular among computer gamers.

    There is also another subtype of technology. These are peripheral devices of a personal computer designed to input entire graphic images. Unlike a tablet, you don’t need to draw anything here; you just need to place the necessary information in the working area of ​​the device. Next, he will analyze it himself and, having converted it into digital form, display a copy on the monitor. Scanners come in color and black and white. Based on type and size, these devices are divided into portable, hand-held, network, office (tablet) and large-format.

    Basic computer peripherals for outputting information

    What you definitely cannot do without when working at a computer is a means of graphically displaying information. Monitors are the same indispensable element in work as mice and keyboards. They are graphic and alphanumeric. In addition, there are monochrome and color: active-matrix and passive-matrix liquid crystal devices.

    Such devices are designed for conversion and printing. Most often, the data is displayed on paper, but it can also be, for example, a laser disk. There are matrix printers - the very first ones to appear - and more modern ones - laser and inkjet printer models.

    In addition to the above devices, peripherals include speakers, modems, web cameras, various streamers and plotters.

    Hi all. In today's episode I will continue the topic of computer design and talk about it peripherals. This is the second part of a large article; in the last publication we examined the first part of the computer device - the system unit.

    If you haven’t read the first part of the article, then I recommend that you definitely get acquainted with it, in it I talk about the structure of a computer, namely.

    Computer peripherals

    Well, now it’s time to talk about peripheral devices, let’s look at the most basic ones.

    Mouse

    The mouse is needed to move the cursor to the required space on the desktop. There are three types of mice: mechanical, with a ball inside; optical and laser.

    I remember once using a mechanical mouse before. It was necessary to forcefully drag across the mousepad to move the mouse cursor to the desired place on the desktop. There are regular cheap mice and special fancy gaming mice. I have a large rug and a gaming laser mouse at home, which at that time cost about $50.

    Keyboard

    The keyboard will play an auxiliary role in controlling our computer.

    With it you can type text, chat with friends, play different games and much more. My keyboard played an important role in writing this article.

    Monitor

    Probably nowhere without a monitor. If it weren’t for him, there probably wouldn’t have been a computer either :). The display is needed to display information on the screen, which in turn passes through the video card. Monitors are divided into three groups: cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD) and plasma. The latter are most often used to make new televisions.

    The average monitor has a diagonal of 15 inches and ends at 32 inches. If there are more inches, then it is already considered a TV.

    Most PC users now have LCD monitors, but CRTs are also available. I use a regular LCD monitor with a diagonal of 19 inches, which is about 48 centimeters, almost half a meter, which suits me quite well.

    Speakers and headphones

    Headphones and speakers are necessary to output the sound from the computer to our ears. Every computer and laptop has a sound card. Mostly they are built into the motherboard.

    If you have good speakers, have high-quality audio files and want to listen to them with pleasure, then you can buy a separate sound card. Decent audio speakers cost about $100, of course there are cheaper ones, but why buy a cheap one if a similar one is already built into the motherboard.

    There are times when the internal sound card is broken. You can, of course, try to resolder the connector or sound chip, but not everyone understands this. Therefore, to solve this problem, you can completely replace the motherboard or purchase an inexpensive external sound card.

    It is advisable to use speakers made of wood, they have quite good sound transmission capacity, but plastic ones are also not bad. The more watts your speakers can pump out, the clearer and louder the sound will be.

    Modem

    A modem is a network device that was invented to use it to access the Internet and communicate with other users.

    Dial Up modems

    There used to be simple slow 56k modems. The number 56 means the data transfer rate is 56 kbit/sec. I remember a couple of years ago I worked in a company where we used just such modems.

    For those who don’t know, I’m posting the audio track The noise of a dial-up modem when it goes online. And those who remember these times, just listen. When I heard him, for some reason a smile appeared on my face.

    Dial-Up Modem-Connekt

    In some remote settlements and villages such dialup modems are still used.

    ADSL modems

    At the moment, probably all major cities use high-speed Internet, using ADSL modems, dedicated VPN channels, wireless Wi-Fi and others.

    Webcam

    A web camera is needed to transmit pictures, video images, and sometimes sound if there is a built-in microphone. Using a webcam, you can talk to a person both in the next room and in another country, using the Internet and third-party programs.

    Microphone

    A microphone is needed to record or transmit your voice. Most webcams and headphones with a microphone have it.

    USB drives

    USB drives include small devices that store information on flash drives and hard drives. This device is universal; it can probably be connected to any computer via a USB port.

    The volumes of flash drives are different, starting from 128 Megabytes and ending with 1 Terabyte. USB hard drives have larger storage capacities, of course.

    Printer

    A printer is needed to print out any information, documents, photographs, and so on.

    They are matrix, inkjet and laser. I recently learned that printers have appeared that use wax tubes instead of cartridges and toner.

    Scanner

    A scanner was invented to scan (read) information from printed and other media, then enter it into a computer.

    If you frequently scan documents, then this tool is a must-have.

    UPS or oops

    Uninterruptible power supplies or AC rectifiers are needed so that if a voltage drop occurs, they level out such surges.

    Also, if your lights suddenly turn off, your computer will be able to work within 5 - 10 minutes.

    Joysticks and game controllers

    Using joysticks and game controllers, you can comfortably play various computer games. Children and teenagers really like them.

    That's basically all the main ones peripherals, there are, of course, others, but they are less used than those listed above.

    Conclusion

    Today we talked in detail about the structure of the computer and its peripheral components, which include: mouse, keyboard, monitor, speakers and headphones, modem, webcam, microphone, USB drives, printer, scanner, UPS, joysticks and game controllers.

    Computer Peripherals | website

    Perhaps you have or have questions related to the design of your computer and its peripheral devices. You can ask them below in the comments to this article, and also use the form with me.

    Thank you for reading me on

    The main purpose of the PU is to ensure that programs and data are supplied to the PC from the environment for processing, as well as the output of the results of the PC in a form suitable for human perception or for transfer to another computer, or in another necessary form. PUs to a large extent determine the possibilities of using PCs.

    Peripheral devices can be divided into several groups according to their functionality:

    1. I/O devices- are intended for entering information into a PC, outputting it in the format required by the operator, or exchanging information with other PCs. This type of control unit includes external drives and modems.

    2. Output devices- designed to display information in the format required by the operator. This type of peripheral devices includes: printer, monitor, audio system.

    3. Input devices- Input devices are devices through which information can be entered into a computer. Their main purpose is to implement an impact on the machine. This type of peripheral devices includes: keyboard, scanner, graphics tablet, etc.

    4. Additional PU- such as a “mouse” manipulator, which only provides convenient control of the graphical interface of PC operating systems and does not have pronounced functions for input or output of information; WEB-cameras that facilitate the transmission of video and audio information on the Internet, or between other PCs. The latter, however, can also be classified as input devices, thanks to the ability to save photos, video and audio information on magnetic or magneto-optical media.

    Each of the listed groups of devices perform certain functions limited by their capabilities and purpose.

    Peripheral information input/output devices.

    I/O peripherals come in several types depending on their purpose.

    Winchester

    Winchesters or hard drives is a large-capacity external memory designed for long-term storage of information, combining the storage medium itself and the writing/reading device in one package. Compared to disk drives, hard drives have a number of very valuable advantages: the volume of stored data is immeasurably larger, and the access time of a hard drive is an order of magnitude shorter. The only drawback: they are not designed for information exchange.

    The physical dimensions of hard drives are standardized by a parameter called form factor.

    The hard drive consists of several hard drives, with a magnetic layer applied to the surface and located one below the other. Each disk has a pair of write/read heads. When the computer is turned on, the hard drive disks are constantly spinning, even when there is no access to the hard drive, thus saving time on overclocking it.

    To date, the following types of hard drives have been developed: MFM, RLL, ESDI, IDE, SCSI.

    External drives:

    · Tape (magnetic) drives- streamers. Due to their fairly large volume and fairly high reliability, they are most often used as part of data backup devices in enterprises and large companies.

    · Magneto-optical storage- CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW drives. They can also be used as backup devices, but, unlike streamers, they have much less data capacity.

    Flash cards.

    Fifteen years ago, Toshiba came up with a non-volatile semiconductor memory technology it called flash memory. Flash memory allows you to write and erase data without such difficulties, due to which it has good performance and, moreover, is quite reliable.

    Soon, flash memory chips began to be built into various devices, and on their basis, flash cards were created, with which various data could be transported.

    Modems.

    Currently, there are two types of modems: analog and digital.

    Analogue modems are more popular because they are cheap and are used mainly for accessing the Internet, and only sometimes for communicating with other PCs. Digital modems are quite expensive and are used for high-speed connections to the Internet, or for organizing a local network over long distances. Modems have several types of connections to a PC: COM, USB or via a network card. A modem connected via a COM port requires an additional power source, but when connected via a USB port, there is no need for a power supply. xDSL modems also require an additional power source.

    Peripheral information output devices.

    Peripheral output devices are designed to display information in the format required by the operator. Among them there are mandatory and optional devices.

    Monitors

    The monitor is a necessary information output device. The monitor allows you to display alphanumeric or graphic information in a form that is easy for the user to read and control. In accordance with this, there are two operating modes: text and graphic. In text mode, the screen is presented in rows and columns. In a graphic format, screen parameters are specified by the number of dots horizontally and the number of dot lines vertically. The number of horizontal and vertical lines on the screen is called resolution. The higher it is, the more information can be displayed per unit of screen area.

    · Digital monitors. The simplest - a monochrome monitor allows you to display only black and white images. Digital RGB monitors support both monochrome and color modes.

    · Analog monitors. Analog signal transmission occurs in the form of different voltage levels. This allows you to create a palette with shades of varying degrees of depth.

    · Multi-frequency monitors. The video card generates synchronization signals that relate to the horizontal line frequency and vertical frame repetition rate. The monitor must recognize these values ​​and switch to the appropriate mode.

    CRT monitor

    If possible, settings can be distinguished: single-frequency monitors, which perceive signals of only one fixed frequency; multi-frequency, which perceive several fixed frequencies; multi-frequency, tuning to arbitrary frequencies of synchronous signals in a certain range.

    · Liquid crystal displays (LCD). The main disadvantage is the inability to quickly change pictures or quickly move the mouse cursor, etc. Such screens require additional backlighting or external lighting. The advantages of these screens are a significant reduction in the range of harmful effects.

    Liquid crystal display

    · Gas plasma monitors. They do not have the limitations of LCD screens. Their disadvantage is their high energy consumption.

    A special group needs to be highlighted touch screens, since they allow not only to display data on the screen, but also to enter it, that is, they fall into the class of input/output devices. Such screens provide the easiest and shortest way to communicate with a computer: you just need to point to what interests you. The input device is completely integrated into the monitor.

    Gas plasma monitor

    PC users spend many hours in a row in close proximity to working monitors. In this regard, display manufacturers have increased their attention to equipping them with special means of protection against all types of influences that negatively affect the user’s health. Low-emission monitors are now becoming common. Other methods are also used to improve the comfort of working with displays.

    Printers

    A printer is a widespread device for outputting information onto paper; its name is derived from the English verb to print - to print. The printer is not included in the basic PC configuration. There are different types of printers:

    · Typical printer works similarly to an electric typewriter. Advantages: clear image of characters, ability to change fonts when replacing a standard disk. Disadvantages: printing noise, low printing speed, graphic images cannot be printed.

    · Matrix (needle) printers- these are the cheapest devices that provide satisfactory print quality for a wide range of routine operations. Advantages: acceptable print quality, provided there is a good ink ribbon, and the ability to print as a carbon copy. Disadvantages: rather low printing speed, especially graphic images, significant noise level.

    Dot Matrix Printer

    · Inkjet printers provide higher print quality. They are especially useful for displaying color graphics. The use of ink of different colors produces a relatively inexpensive image of acceptable quality.

    Inkjet printers are much less noisy. Print speed depends on quality. This type of printer occupies an intermediate accumulation between dot matrix and laser printers.

    Inkjet printer

    · Laser printers - have even higher print quality, close to photographic. They are much more expensive, but the printing speed is 4-5 times higher than that of dot matrix and inkjet printers. The disadvantage of laser printers is that they have rather strict requirements for the quality of the paper - it must be thick enough and should not be loose, printing on plastic-coated paper, etc. is unacceptable.

    Laser printers are divided into two types: local and network. You can connect to network printers using an IP address.

    Laser printer

    · LED printers - alternative to laser.

    Thermal printers are used to produce photographic quality color images. They require special paper. These printers are suitable for business graphics.

    Much cheaper than laser and inkjet printers. Prints on any paper and cardboard. The printer operates at low noise levels.

    Plotters ).

    This device is only used in certain areas: drawings, diagrams, graphs, diagrams, etc. Plotters are also indispensable when developing architectural projects.

    The plotter's drawing field corresponds to A0-A4 formats, although there are devices that work with a roll and do not limit the length of the output drawing. That is, there are flatbed and drum plotters.

    · Flatbed plotters, mainly for A2-A3 formats, they fix the sheet and draw a drawing using a writing unit moving in two coordinates. They provide higher accuracy of printing of drawings and graphs compared to drum printing.

    · Roll (drum) plotter - remains in fact the only developing type of plotter with a roller sheet feed and a writing unit moving along one coordinate.

    Distributed cutting plotters to print the drawing on film, instead of a writing unit, they have a cutter.

    Plotters usually communicate with a computer via a serial, parallel or SCSI interface. Some plotter models are equipped with a built-in buffer.

    Plotters can use both special technologies and technologies that are familiar from printers. Currently, inkjet devices are becoming increasingly widespread.

    Projection technology.

    A multimedia projector allows you to reproduce on a large screen information received from a wide variety of signal sources: computer, VCR, video camera, photo camera, game console. A modern projector is the most advanced link in the chain of evolution of projection equipment.

    Multimedia projector

    A multimedia projector is a modern and high-tech device. The reliability of most manufactured models is high, and the user is unlikely to have to contact a service center to request repairs. The only replaceable part of the projector is its lamp. Most projectors use arc lamps, which have high brightness and a flatter spectrum than incandescent lamps. Their average service life is 2000 hours of operation. Sometimes it is useful to use the lamp's economical mode function, which doubles its life.

    Audio system

    Personal computers use a wide variety of sound signal generation schemes, from simple to complex.

    These days there are a lot of speaker systems on the market that consist of two active speakers and are made using a 2.1 system. Such systems are popularly called “tweeters” because they are not capable of providing high quality sound even at low volume levels.

    More recently, the ideal in the world of computer speaker systems was the 5.1 system, but recently speaker manufacturers have been expanding the capabilities of their systems, which led first to the emergence of the 6.1 system, and later 8.1

    Peripheral input devices.

    Input devices are those devices through which information can be entered into a computer. Their main purpose is to implement an effect on the PC. The variety of input devices produced has given rise to entire technologies: from touch to voice.

    Keyboard

    The main input device of most computer systems is keyboard. Until recently, a standard keyboard was used, 101/102 keys, but with the development of personal computers, manufacturers tried to develop the main information input device. This led to the creation of multimedia keyboards, which are becoming more and more popular these days.

    Additional keys include groups of keys for controlling multimedia applications, keys for controlling system volume, a group of keys for quickly launching office applications, a calculator, Internet Explorer, etc.

    Keyboards differ in two ways: connection method and design. The keyboard can be connected to the computer via the PS/2 port, USB and via the IR port for wireless models. In the latter connection method, the keyboard requires an additional power source, such as a battery.

    Scanner

    To directly read graphic information from paper or other media in a PC, optical scanners. The scanned image is read and converted into digital form by elements of a special device: CCD chips. There are many types and models of scanners.

    Handheld scanners- the simplest and cheapest. The main disadvantage is that the person himself moves the scanner around the object, and the quality of the resulting image depends on the skill and steadiness of the hand. Another important disadvantage is the small bandwidth

    laser handheld scanner

    · Drum scanners used in professional printing activities.

    "home" drum scanner industrial drum scanner

    · Sheet scanners. Their main difference from the previous two is that during scanning, a ruler with CCD elements is fixedly fixed, and the sheet with the scanned image moves relative to it using special rollers.

    · Flatbed scanners. This is the most common type for professional work today. The object to be scanned is placed on a glass sheet, the image is read line by line at a uniform speed by a reading head with CCD sensors located at the bottom.

    Flatbed scanner

    · Projection scanners. A color projection scanner is a powerful multifunctional tool for inputting any color images, including three-dimensional ones, into a computer.

    Handheld projection scanner

    The interface may be different:

    · Own interface - The scanner comes with its own unique card and works only with it.

    · SCSI- If you use the scanner not with the card supplied, then easy compatibility is not always achieved.

    · LPT- the scanner may need the port to support one of the high-speed protocols. While EPP is usually always available, the 8-bit Bi-Directional option required for Epson scanners is not implemented everywhere.

    · USB - the most common connection option today.

    · Graphics tablet.

    Desktop computers for engineering and design work have been equipped with graphics tablets for more than ten years. This device greatly simplifies the entry of drawings, diagrams and drawings into a PC. At first, tablets were expensive devices and therefore were designed for purely professional use. But cheap home models have been produced for about five years now.

    What's happened peripherals computer or just peripherals? Peripherals are devices that connect to a computer and expand its functionality. Unlike a computer (, ...), their presence is not necessary for the computer to work. For example, a printer is a peripheral device used to print information. The computer will work without a printer, but not without a processor. Because The processor is a mandatory PC device.

    The most popular computer peripherals are and. It seemed that the keyboard and mouse were mandatory devices, without which it would be impossible to work on a computer, but this is not so. Operation will be impossible for the user, while a computer without these devices will turn on, boot and wait for commands entered using the keyboard or mouse. Let's look at some popular devices.

    Headphones and speakers are the next most popular peripheral devices. In itself there is only a small speaker, used mainly to signal errors at boot time. To fully listen to sound, speakers or headphones are required.

    – another peripheral devices. Serve for long-term storage of information.

    Printer and scanner are peripheral devices designed to print information (printer) and obtain a digital copy of an object (scanner). In home computers, a scanner is mainly used to digitize text and photos. Most often, these two devices are combined into one housing. Such a device is called an MFP - a multifunctional device.

    In addition to the popular devices listed above, there are quite a lot of computer peripherals for various types of tasks.

    At first glance, laptops and PC monitors have some advantage over television equipment in matters of connection. However, modern TVs are equipped with a large selection of connectors, so connecting a computer to a TV is much easier than it seems. Variety of interfaces The reality is that the compatibility of a computer and a TV depends on the degree of wear (age) of the older device. If you leave home today [...]

    The printer can rightfully be considered one of the most important office equipment in the everyday life of the average user. Indeed, with the help of a printer you can print out abstracts, term papers, scientific papers, family photographs and much more. Depending on the cost of the device, the printer can perform various functions, for example, printing on professional photo paper, using a wider color palette, etc. […]

    Computer speakers are a peripheral device and are designed to output sound. For a home computer, the presence of speakers is a prerequisite, because... Without them, it is impossible to fully watch a movie, listen to music, or play games. For an office PC, the lack of acoustics is still somehow justified, but it is already impossible to imagine a home computer without them. What kinds of computer speakers are there? Almost all computer speakers [...]

    After turning on the scanner, you must install the driver for this device so that data can be transferred between the computer and the scanner. Start by connecting the scanner to a USB port on your computer. (Read your scanner's manual to find out how to connect it to your computer.) Turn on the scanner. Many scanners use plug and play technology, which allows Windows to recognize the hardware and install […]

    A scanner is used to transfer text and images from paper to a computer in file form, which is the reverse of printing on a printer. Previously, hand-held scanners were common, which had to be smoothly moved along the sheet being scanned. In addition to being inconvenient to use, their big drawback was that due to the uneven speed of movement, the resulting image was elongated or, conversely, […]