Pointing devices are input devices that control an on-screen symbol called a pointer or cursor. They are useful for choosing commands from menus, managing files and creating certain types of images.
- Mouse - this is a small hand-held input device that is moved over a flat surface to control the movement of a pointer. The bottom of the mouse is usually a ball that senses the movement of the mouse. if a button on the mouse is clicked/pressed, it allows an object or command on the screen to be selected.
- Trackball - This pointing device is similar to the mouse exceprt that the ball is on top of the device. it allows the cursor to be moved by rotating the ball in the desired direction. They are commonly used on laptops.
- Pointing stick - This device, that is also known as a trackpoint, is a small device that is shaped like a pencil eraser. It moves the pointer by sensing the direction and amount of pressure applied to the device These devices are commonly found in the middle of the keyboard on laptops.
- Touchpad/Trackpad - This is a flat rectangular surface that senses the movement of a finger. When you move your on the touchpad it causes a corresponding movement of the pointer.
- Graphics Tablet - This is an input device that consists of a special electronic pad and a pen called a stylus. A held-held device called a puck is often used with the tablet. A puck looks like a mouse, with one or more buttons, but has a window in the centre or at one end with fine cross-hairs.
- Joystick - This is a pointing device consisting of a small base unit with a rod that can be tilted in all directions to move the pointer on the screen. Joysticks are frequently used to provide fast and direct input for moving characters and objects in computer games.
- Light pen - This is a pointing device consisting of a small rod that looks like a pen. the tip of the pen has a light detector that senses the intensity of light on a screen and emit signals so that the computer can calculate its position. Joysticks are frequently used to provide fast and direct input for moving characters and objects in computer games.
- Touch screen - This device enters data by detecting the touch of your finger. The user's finger interrupts a matrix of infrared light beams shining horizontally and vertically across the screen. Touch screens do not allow fine precision of input and use big buttons or areas of the screen.