Keyboard
- The keyboard was the first input
device developed for the PC.
- The standard keyboard layout provides 104 keys
organized as four groups:
- alphanumeric keys (A-Z, 0-9)
- location keys (home, end etc.)
- numeric keypad
- function keys (F1-F12)
- In addition to the standard keys, some
keyboards offer functions such as volume control for speakers, web browser
functions and power management.
- Data is transferred to the PC over a short
cable with a circular 6-pin Mini-din connector that plugs into the back of
the motherboard.
- Standard keyboards sell for $7 to $30
depending on the feature set.
- There are wireless keyboards that communicate
with a pod that is plugged into the keyboard port. Radio Frequency (RF) or
InfraRed (IR) technology is used to communicate between the keyboard and
the receiver pod, which plugs into the PC. Wireless keyboards are priced
in the $40 to $45 range.
- Cherry Hill Inc. is releasing a keyboard that
has an integrated Finger Tip sensor. Instead of having to type in
passwords to access the PC a successful fingerprint match allows entry in
to the PC or specific programs.