What is both an input and output device?

A computer peripheral is both an input and output device. These devices are the peripheral equipment component of today's digital computer systems.

Computer peripherals have a close relationship with the central processing unit, or CPU, on a computer. Information is able to go back and forth between a computer peripheral and a CPU. These devices are external to a computer and include things like a scanner, a keyboard, a computer mouse or a microphone. These work as input devices and they give the computer information. Output devices include things like speakers, printers and monitors. These work to translate information and turn it into something people can understand.