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Peripherals

The Keyboard

• Find a keyboard that you like and that doesn’t feel cheap

• An old, IBM PS/2 keyboard is really solid. They rarely fail.

• If you prefer an older AT keyboard, you can purchase a PS/2 or USB adapter and connect the adapter to the older keyboard connector.

• The new, inexpensive flimsy keyboards work well.  A keyboard with Hot Keys for Internet & multimedia control and/ or with a trackball (mouse) is trendy.

• Again, a keyboard can have an AT, PS/2 or USB connector. And you can purchase adapters to convert an older keyboard so it will fit with your new system.

Mouse

• When it comes to a mouse, there’s the 2- or 3-button mouse, trackball or marble wheel mouse.
  
• A mouse can have a serial, PS/2 or USB connector.  And if needed, purchase an adapter so that an older mouse can fit only your new system.
  

Monitor

When selecting a monitor, the larger the viewing area, the better. Remember that the monitor  connects to the video card.  So select a monitor that will work best with the video card you've installed, or vice-versa.

• Other considerations include the brand, resolutions, refresh rate, dot pitch and its adjustment controls.

• Select either a CRT or an LCD monitor.

• An SVGA projector is becoming popular.

• The more resolutions the monitor can handle, the better. Common resolutions are 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768.

• A refresh rate of 70Hz and above will reduce flicker and eye strain. Dot pitches range from .25mm to .297.

• Make sure the video card can handle the monitor’s features, and vise versa. Read the labels and the packaging for both monitor and video card.

• Some motherboards have onboard connections for a monitor, so you don't have to purchase a video card.

Printer

Although a printer is not necessary, life is not fun with out a printer :*)

 

Remember that when purchasing both peripherals and internal components, make sure to read the motherboard book.  The motherboard book will tell you which devices work best on that particular board.

Understanding PC Hardware, Second Edition, ©2003 Cary Muhammad, (All Rights Reserved), vipcomputers4u@yahoo.com