Pc (Personal Computer)

Input devices

An input device can send data to another device, but it cannot receive data from another device. Examples of input devices include the following.

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  Keyboard and Mouse - Accepts input from a user and sends that data (input) to the computer. They cannot accept or reproduce information (output) from the computer.
  
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  Microphone - Receives sound generated by an input source, and sends that sound to a computer.
  
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  Webcam - Receives images generated by whatever it is pointed at (input) and sends those images to a computer.
  

Tip
For additional information and examples, see our input device page.

Output devices

An output device can receive data from another device and generate output with that data, but it cannot send data to another device. Examples of output devices include the following.

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  Monitor - Receives data from a computer (output) and displays that information as text and images for users to view. It cannot accept data from a user and send that data to another device.
  
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  Projector - Receives data from a computer (output) and displays, or projects, that information as text and images onto a surface, like a wall or screen. It cannot accept data from a user and send that data to another device.
  
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  Speakers - Receives sound data from a computer and plays the sounds for users to hear. It cannot accept sound generated by users and send that sound to another device.
  

Tip
For additional information and examples, see our output device page.

Input/output devices

An input/output device can receive data from users, or another device (input), and send data to another device (output). Examples of input/output devices include the following.

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  CD-RW drive and DVD-RW drive - Receives data from a computer (input), to copy onto a writable CD or DVD. Also, the drive sends data contained on a CD or DVD (output) to a computer.
  
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  USB flash drive - Receives, or saves, data from a computer (input). Also, the drive sends data to a computer or another device (output).