What are the different types of input devices?

The keyboard is probably the best-known computer input device. However, there are several other examples of these peripherals, such as mice, touchpads and joysticks.

Without a pointing device, most people would have no way to enter text, or do much of anything else, on their computer. That is what makes pointing devices, and in particular, the mouse, valuable input devices. They include touchpads and trackpoints for laptop owners, as well as touchscreens and joysticks for gamers. Scanners and microphones are other pieces of equipment that are examples of input devices.