What are peripherals?

Peripherals refer to devices that are connected externally to a computer system to enhance its functionality. These devices can include a wide variety of hardware such as printers, keyboards, mice, monitors, scanners, external hard drives, and more. They play a crucial role in expanding the capabilities of a computer, allowing it to perform additional tasks beyond its basic operation.

For example, while the computer itself can process and store data, peripherals enable it to interact with the user or other systems, provide additional storage, or output information in various formats. This external connection is what distinguishes peripherals from internal components like the CPU or motherboard, which are integral to the computer's operation and are not considered peripherals.

Understanding peripherals is important for anyone working in IT support, as they often need to troubleshoot issues related to these devices or assist users with setting them up.