Input
This common input device lets you type letters, numbers, and symbols into the computer.
This output device displays text, images, and videos on a screen.
Monitor/Display
This traditional storage device uses spinning magnetic platters to save data.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
Often called the brain of the computer, this chip performs most calculations.
CPU
This rectangular port is extremely common for connecting mice, keyboards, and flash drives.
USB-A
A pointing device that controls the on-screen pointer and is often used for clicking and dragging.
Mouse
A device that produces a paper copy of your digital documents or photos.
Printer
A faster storage device with no moving parts, often used in modern laptops.
Solid-State Drive (SSD)
This short-term memory stores data the CPU needs right now.
RAM
A smaller, reversible port used for charging and data on many modern devices.
USB-C
This device converts paper documents or photos into digital images on your computer.
Scanner
These output devices play sound so the whole class can hear audio from the computer.
Speakers
A small, portable storage device that plugs into a USB port.
USB Flash Drive
This component handles graphics and 3D visuals; gamers really care about it.
A video/audio port that connects computers to monitors and TVs.
HDMI
You speak into this input device so your voice can be recorded or used in video calls.
Microphone
An output device worn on your head for private listening.
Headphones/Headset
Saving files to internet-based services like Google Drive or OneDrive is called this.
Cloud Storage
The main circuit board that connects the CPU, memory, and all components.
Motherboard
This port looks like an oversized phone jack and connects you to wired networks.
Ethernet (RJ-45)
Critical Thinking: How does a keyboard turn your key presses into digital signals the CPU can process?
The keyboard converts physical key presses into electrical signals, which are translated into binary code and sent to the CPU.
Critical Thinking: When you play a video, how does the computer process data to display moving images on the screen?
The CPU processes video data, the GPU renders frames, and the monitor receives rapid signals to display images in sequence as motion.
Critical Thinking: When you save a file, how does data travel from RAM to permanent storage?
The CPU instructs the system to transfer data from RAM through the motherboard’s bus to a storage device (HDD/SSD), converting it into stored binary form.
Critical Thinking: How does the CPU communicate with RAM during processing tasks?
The CPU sends requests through the system bus, RAM retrieves or stores data, and both exchange binary information rapidly to support active tasks.
Critical Thinking: How does plugging in a USB drive allow the computer to recognize and transfer data?
The port establishes an electrical/data connection, the operating system loads drivers, and protocols (USB standard) manage data transfer between the device and CPU.