Which type of device includes scanners and printers?

The correct answer is that scanners and printers are classified as peripheral devices. Peripheral devices are external devices that connect to a computer system to provide additional functionality beyond the basic capabilities of the computer itself. This category includes both input devices, which allow users to input data into the computer, and output devices, which convey information from the computer to the user or another system.

Scanners are considered input devices because they capture images or documents and convert them into a digital format that a computer can process. Printers are output devices as they take processed data from the computer and produce a tangible printed copy, such as a document or image.

The term "peripheral" encompasses both types, making it a broader classification that includes any device that is not part of the core computer architecture but is connected to a computer. In contrast, input devices specifically refer only to those that provide data to the computer, while output devices refer only to those that output information from the computer.

Therefore, identifying scanners and printers as peripheral devices accurately reflects their roles in relation to a computer system, as they serve as extensions that enhance the overall functionality through both input and output processes.