How to Choose the Right Peripherals for Your Needs

Your Guide to buying the best Peripherals

Overview

This Peripherals buying guide is designed to help you make an informed decision when buying Peripherals. It covers all the important considerations, such as your budget, the types of peripherals available, what features to look for, and how to compare different models. With this guide, you'll have the confidence to purchase the right Peripheral for your needs.

Key features

  1. Budget: What is the available budget for buying peripherals?
  2. Device Compatibility: What devices are the peripherals intended to be used with (desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.)?
  3. Connectivity: What type of connectivity is needed for the peripherals (USB, Bluetooth, wireless, etc.)?
  4. Functionality: What specific features and/or functions are necessary for the peripherals?
  5. Performance: What level of performance is desired for the peripherals (speed, reliability, etc.)?
  6. Ergonomics: Are ergonomic designs or features important for the peripherals?

See the most popular Peripherals on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Functionality: Peripherals can enhance the functionality of a computer by adding additional ports, or providing specific capabilities that may not be available on the computer itself such as sound, video, and networking.
  • Price: Peripherals are generally much less expensive than upgrading an existing computer and can provide a considerable amount of value for a relatively small investment.
  • Convenience: With peripherals, users can quickly add or remove features without replacing their entire computer, making them a convenient and cost-effective way to improve their computing experience.
  • Multi-functionality: Many peripherals are designed to serve multiple purposes, such as a printer/scanner combo, allowing users to save money by only purchasing one device instead of two.
  • Compatibility: Most peripherals are designed to be compatible with most computers, so users can easily add or upgrade their hardware without purchasing a new computer.

Cons

  • Cost: Peripherals can often be expensive and cost more than the initial purchase price of an individual computer.
  • Compatibility: Peripherals may not be compatible with a particular operating system or computer.
  • Configuration: It can be difficult to correctly configure peripherals on a computer, which can cause problems with performance or functionality.
  • Durability: The quality of some peripherals can be lower than desired, making them prone to breakage or malfunction over time.
  • Maintenance: Peripherals often require regular maintenance in order to continue functioning properly.
  • Upgrading: When upgrading a computer, peripherals may need to be upgraded at the same time, increasing the overall cost.

Best alternatives

    Computer Monitors - Flat screen displays which connect to a computer for a visual output Keyboards - Input devices which allow you to type directly into your computer Graphics Cards - Expansion cards which allow for high-quality graphics output Speakers - Audio output devices which transmit sound from your computer Gamepads - Controllers which connect to your computer and allow for gaming Webcams - Cameras which connect to your computer and allow for video capture Microphones - Audio input devices which allow for audio capture External Hard Drives - Portable storage devices which can be connected to your computer

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Keyboard - an input device typically used to type text or give commands to a computer.
  • Mouse - an input device used to control cursor movements on a computer screen.
  • Headphones - an audio output device that covers or surrounds the ears.
  • Webcam - an input device typically used to capture video or still images.
  • Joystick - an input device used to control movements on a computer screen.
  • Microphone - an audio input device that converts sound waves into electronic signals.
  • Speakers - an audio output device that projects sound waves into the air.
  • Gamepad - an input device used to control movements on a computer screen.
  • Graphics Tablet - an input device used to draw or paint on a computer screen.

Common questions

  1. What are peripherals? Peripherals are external devices that connect to a computer to provide additional functionality, such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, speakers, scanner, or webcam.
  2. What type of connectivity do peripherals use? Peripherals may use wired or wireless connection, depending on the device. Common types of wired connections include USB, HDMI, and Thunderbolt, while common types of wireless connections include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
  3. What should I consider when buying peripherals? When buying peripherals, consider compatibility with your computer, type of connection, features and capabilities, price, and ease of use.
  4. Do I need to install any software to use peripherals? Some peripherals may require you to install drivers or additional software before they can be used.
  5. Are there any special features to look for? Special features to look for include ergonomic design, adjustable settings, and compatibility with multiple devices.

Trivia

A funny fact about peripherals is that the original computer mouse was actually invented by Douglas Engelbart in the 1960s. Originally called the “X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System”, the device was made from wood and had only one button. It was later improved and sold commercially by Xerox in 1981, becoming the computer mouse as we know it today. This story is often used to highlight the importance of making small but significant improvements to existing technology. Source: history-computer.com

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.