Computer Accessories and Peripherals: A Comprehensive Guide (2024)

Computers have completely changed how we interact with the world around us, allowing us to access communication, entertainment, shopping, and work all from a single, personal device. As computers have become increasingly advanced, they have also grown to be smaller and more affordable, allowing many people to take advantage of their various features and capabilities. When purchasing a computer for the first time or as a replacement, you will often need various computer accessories and peripherals to establish and enhance control. In this blog, we will discuss the most common accessories and peripherals used for computer systems, allowing you to decide what solutions are best for your needs.

Computer Monitor

While you may have the most powerful computer to currently exist, it would be fairly useless if you had no means of displaying information. This is where the computer monitor comes in, serving as an output device that is able to display computer information as text or a picture. Monitors are widely varied in their design, some using LCD or LED screens, while others may be based on CRT or OLED technology. Additionally, computer monitors will often feature a number of connection methods based on their device compatibility and application, and common ports include VGA, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, and LVDS connections, alongside a port for the power cord.

Keyboard

With data being created by hardware devices and monitors displaying it, it is then beneficial to have peripherals that can allow you to manipulate said data. A computer keyboard is an input device with an arrangement of buttons, often including letters, numbers, and common symbology. With these keys, a user can execute system commands or write information for communication, searching, etc. For a modern computer, software serves to interpret key presses, utilizing when the physical key is pressed and released to determine an input.

Mouse

Similar to keyboards, a keyboard mouse is a computer accessory that enables the manipulation of data and software on a keyboard. Instead of serving or inputting text and numbers, mice are hand-held pointing devices that allow for a “point and click” feature to be established on the two-dimensional plane of the monitor. Alongside clicking, mice also have a scroll wheel, allowing for users to scroll down websites, documents, and other things when data is too long or big to fit on the dimensions of the computer monitor. While early mice were fairly simplistic, various advancements have been made to make mice more accurate and ergonomic, while also introducing models with additional buttons for increased data manipulation and control.

External Hard Drive

While all computers require some form of secondary memory for storing data and installing software, there may be instances in which someone requires extra data storage space and/or a more portable solution as compared to devices that are implemented within the computer assembly. External hard drives are storage devices situated on the outside of a computer assembly, and they are generally connected through a USB port or wireless connection. Oftentimes, external hard drives are beneficial for when one needs to have media in a portable storage for backup or for easy transfer between systems. In other instances, one may want an external hard drive to increase the overall storage in their computer when one does not want to have to disassemble the computer and add an internal device.

Speakers

While one can argue that monitors, keyboards, and mice are all critical components for computer usage, there are other various computer accessories and peripherals that are quite beneficial to have. While some monitors may provide an output for sound, many will require external speakers. Speakers are simply output hardware devices that generate sound based on data created by the computer’s sound card. Depending on one’s needs, speakers can widely vary in their design and capabilities, some being simple systems, while others may boast surround sound and high quality noises. Additionally, many speakers come with adjustable knobs so that a user may easily change volume, bass, and other audio qualities quickly and easily.

Conclusion

Beyond such examples, there are numerous computer accessories that one can take advantage of, and choices will often come down to one’s particular needs and desires. For instance, if one is never using a computer for any type of audio application, they may not necessarily need a speaker. On the other hand, one who is involved in music, video editing, or other similar industries will need one to carry out their work. Once you have narrowed down the various parts and components that you are most interested in, take advantage of Just IT Hardware’s expensive part inventory to source everything you need.

At Just IT Hardware, we operate with AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B accreditation as a result of our steadfast dedication to quality control and export compliance. Furthermore, our supply chain network enables us to provide expedited shipping for domestic and international customers alike. Get started on the purchasing process today and see why customers choose to rely on Just IT Hardware for all their sourcing needs.

1. david smith
2. Posted on April 14, 2022
computer parts

Related Blogs