If you’re completely new to the art of computer technology and you’re thinking of building your first PC setup and buy your first keyboard and other peripherals, you might want to learn a bit about the devices a computer uses.
Is a keyboard an input device or an output device? You may be wondering. Well, that’s precisely what I’m here to let you know.
In this article, we’re going to talk about input devices, output devices, and exactly what kind of a device a keyboard is. So, make sure you read this article till the end and gain a good amount of information about computer keyboards.
Table of Contents
What is An Input Device?
An input device is any element or device that converts human-readable or understandable actions into machine-readable forms like 0’s and 1’s. It is used to input commands onto a computer where they’re processed and then converted into the computer-readable form.
There are many devices that we use daily like a computer mouse, a trackpad, scanners, etc. which are classified as input devices and these input devices take data in raw format and convert it into digital data which is then given back to us in the form of information.
What is An Output Device?
Completely opposite to what an input device is, an output device is responsible for converting and displaying information in human-readable form after processing it.
This can be any kind of monitor, or headphones, projector, or any device like that which allows us to visually see, hear, or project information and media in a way that we understand and isn’t digital. These kinds of devices are incredibly crucial for computer communication and incredibly different as compared to input devices.
Is Keyboard An Input or Output Device?
So, what you must be thinking right now is, is a keyboard an input or output device; Well, it is for sure an input device. Why; You may be thinking. That’s an interesting question.
The reason a keyboard is considered an input device is because it takes buttons and keys with letters and numbers engraved on it and inputs those characters into the computer where they’re then processed and converted into information that we’re able to see on the monitor.
There are many different kinds of keyboards available in the market now depending upon quality and technology. With low response times, to better key quality and mechanisms, durability, and visual aesthetics, a lot of options are available if you’re interested in making a buying decision. What you need to know about your keyboard is that it’s an input device.
Conclusion
Keyboards are an integral part of a computer setup. These input devices are what help you communicate with a computer machine. You can work without a mouse but not without a keyboard. That’s why having this knowledge is crucial even if you’re a casual computer user.
I hope you learned a lot from this article and that you’re going to have a great experience using your computer in the future.