Hardware

Hardware

1. Input devices

   • Keyboard- The keyboard is the main input device used in computing where ordinary computer keyboards have their keys arranged the same way as a typewriter. Specialised or concept keyboards are used in fast food restaurants and pubs this is where the keyboard is made up of images of drinks and food items on the menu.
   • Mouse and other pointing devices- The mouse is the main type of pointing device used in computing. It is mainly used as a selection tool for inputting data, it can also be used in image manipulation to draw, crop, select and resize objects.
   • Touch screens- They can detect exactly where on the surface the have been touched. They are used in railway stations to purchase tickets, in tourist offices and in shopping centres as a shop locator.
   • Webcams- They work in the same way as a digital camera but often has a lower screen resolution and are used as input into the computer system as a part of a video conferencing system.
   • Barcode recognition- Barcode readers are used to input data automatically from barcodes. It uses visible red light, which is then used to identify the details of a product from a retailed maintained database.
   • Sensors- They are used to detect physical variables to input into a computer such as: temperature, light and pressure. Input from sensors are processed using a device termed an ADC which must be connected between the sensor and computer.

2. Output devices

   • Printers-
   • Speakers- Computers have become more common they have been fitted with a sound card which will enable high quality audio to output through connected speakers.
   • Headphones can be plugged into the computer to listen to the audio output from the computer.
   • Plotter- This specialist type of printer is capable of drawing high quality images on very large pieces of paper. They are used by engineers, architects and map-makers.
   • Projectors- Data projectors are used in business to display demonstrations or for training purposes.
   • Actuators- An actuator is widely used as an output from a control system.

3. Storage devices

   • Hard drive
   • Magnetic tape
   • Flash memory drives