1. Keyboard
Keyboard is the most commonly used input device. Data is mostly entered using a keyboard. The buttons on the keyboard are called keys. A keyboard contains over 100 keys.
Keyboard is used to type the following:
* Alphabets (A to Z and a to z),
* Numbers(0 to 9),
* spaces
* symbols like $,# and % etc.
2. Mouse
A mouse is a small, lightweight input device. It is also called pointing device. Mouse is moved on a flat surface to control the movement of the cursor (pointer) on a screen. The mouse is attached to the computer by a cable or wireless connection. A mouse usually has two or three buttons. These buttons are used to perform different tasks. The mouse contains a small ball at the bottom. The movement of the cursor depends on the movement of ball. A mouse is very easy to use. It is mostly used in graphic applications.
3.Track Ball
A trackball can be used as a alternative to a mouse. This device has buttons similar to those on mouse. It has a large rotating ball on the top. The body of the track ball is not moved. The ball is rolled with fingers. The position of the cursor on the screen is controlled by rotating the ball. The trackball takes less space to move than mouse. It is often included in laptop computers.
4.Touch pad/ Track Pad
A touch pad is a small, flat surface over which the user moves his finger. The movement of the finger moves the cursor on the screen. It is also known as track pad. A touch pas also has one or more buttons near it. These button work like mouse buttons. Touch pads are commonly used with notebooks computers
5.Pointing stick
Pointing stick is a pressure-sensitive device. It is similar to a pencil eraser and exists between keys on the keyboard. The pointer on the screen moves when the user pushes the pointing stick. It requires no additional space or cleaning like mouse. Pointing stick is normally used with notebook computers.
6. Graphics tablet
A graphics tablet consists of a flat pad (the tablet) on which the user draws with special pen called stylus. The image is created on the screen as the user draws on the pad. A designer can produce very accurate drawing using graphics tablet. It is also called digitizer.
7.Touch Screen
Touch screen is a video display screen that receives input from the touch of the finger. The screen is covered with plastic layer. There are invisible beams of infrared light behind the screen. The users enter data by touching icons or menus on the screen. Most touch screen computers use sensor to detect touch of the computer. Touch screen is well suited for simple applications like ATM. It has also become in departmental store and supermarkets.
8.Digital Scanner
Digital Scanner is an input device. It is used to read the pictures and other printed material place on its glass. It reads the pictures, translates it in digital form and stores it in the computer. Digital scanner uses laser technology to read images.
9.Digital Camera
Digital cameras record photographs in the form of digital signal that can be stored in a computer. No chemical-based film is used.Some digital cameras are portable and look similar to traditional film cameras.Other digital cameras are stationary and are connected directed to a computer.
10.Light Pen
11.Joystick
A joystick consists of a base and a stick. The stick can be moved in any direction to move an object around the computer screen. A joystick can perform a similar function to a mouse or trackball. It is often considered less comfortable and efficient. The most common use of a joystick is for playing computer games.
