Which statement best defines a peripheral device?

Which statement best defines a peripheral device?

• A. External device connected to the computer
• B. Internal CPU component
• C. A motherboard component
• D. Software utility that configures devices

Answer: (A)

Peripheral devices are hardware items that attach to a computer to extend its capabilities. They are typically external devices connected via ports or wireless links, such as mice, keyboards, printers, scanners, or external storage. These remain separate from the computer's main processing unit and can be added or removed without changing the core system. The internal CPU component is part of the computer's processing core inside the case, not something you connect. A motherboard component belongs to the internal circuitry that makes the computer run; it isn’t a separate connected device. A software utility that configures devices is software, not a hardware device. Therefore, describing an external device connected to the computer best captures what a peripheral is.

Peripheral devices are hardware items that attach to a computer to extend its capabilities. They are typically external devices connected via ports or wireless links, such as mice, keyboards, printers, scanners, or external storage. These remain separate from the computer's main processing unit and can be added or removed without changing the core system. The internal CPU component is part of the computer's processing core inside the case, not something you connect. A motherboard component belongs to the internal circuitry that makes the computer run; it isn’t a separate connected device. A software utility that configures devices is software, not a hardware device. Therefore, describing an external device connected to the computer best captures what a peripheral is.