User:Jwmh/Class Drafts/Module:needed peripherals

Module on Hardware: Connecting up the (external) parts [of | to operate] a computer

Everything is optional.
However, you might have a hard time using the computer without these!

• Each device needs both a way to talk to the computer, and also electricity to run.
  • Some devices, like keyboards (and mice), get their power directly from the computer-tower. They use the same cable they plug into the computer with, to also get electricity -- and it's a very tiny amount of electricity needed.
  • But most other devices are more powerful (like monitor screens), and need their own separate electrical cable. So: Most devices have both their own power *and* a data cable -- one is to give them electricity (so they work); the other is so they can actually talk with the computer (or like with speakers, the computer needs to send sound to them).
    • If a device has its own power cable, it probably also has its own power button.
• some devices have other places on them to plug things in -- especially monitors. Look carefully to see what all your options are!
  • just because a device *has* a place to plug something in, doesn't mean it *needs* that...
    • monitors might have more than one spot for a data cable -- but that's because there are two choices; but you only need one or the other -- not both.
    • ... the only *needed* things (almost always) are (1) power cable + (1) data cable (to talk to PC)

Laptops:
Almost everything is built-in.

• The only separate part is the AC power adapter.
  • This sometimes/often is split into two pieces, so as not to wear the cord out when it's rolled up.
• You can also hook up other devices to a laptop -- like an extra monitor, or projector, or extra speakers -- but it's usually not necessary if you're just using it by yourself. (Most laptops have decent speakers built-in.)

Desktops:

• There's the computer / tower itself (+ its power cable)
• The monitor (the computer will run just fine by itself -- but without the monitor, you can't see anything!) (two cables: 1 data + 1 power)
• Keyboard (you need this to operate the computer!) (no extra wall-power -- it just plugs straight into the computer)
• Mouse (in theory, you *can* use only a keyboard to operate a computer... but it's very cumbersome, especially if you're online / surfing the internet.) (no extra cables; data/power on same one, straight into computer)
• Speakers (some computers have speakers built-inside, but external speakers are almost always better) (audio+power)

L+D:

• Ethernet (network) cable; lets you get on the internet (just a cable -- one end into computer; other end into your internet connection)
  • laptops can use wifi, but a cable is the best option.... (don't get too advanced here, leave it at that for now) (advanced info: the wifi antenna is built into laptops)
    • can link later from here to Networking module...

Others:
There are many other things you can connect to a computer -- like printers, for instance -- but these are the device and cables you need, just to be able to *use* a computer.