Input and Output Devices

Input and Output Devices

1. Input

   • Anything that is used to control a computer system or to send data to it is an input device.
   • Keyboard
     • The main means of entering text and numeric data
     • Many are now likely to be connected via wireless.
   • Mouse
     • The basic mouse principles remain relatively unchanged
       • Newer models are most likely to be wireless, using laser light instead of a trackball and trackpads built into laptops
   • Camera
     • Many digital still cameras can also be used as webcams and also capture video clips.
     • You can also take still photos by using models of digital video cameras and mobile phones.
     • Web cams also allows desktop computers to be used for making videos and video conferencing.
   • Scanners
     • Low cost scanners allows people to capture documents and paper images directly onto a computer.
     • Scanners have converged with printers to create multi-function devices
     • Scanners can also permit the capture not just images, but of editable text by using a optical recognition software
   • Microphone
     • Microphones are now commonly used for digital data capture.
     • Are needed to permit online audio and video conferencing, and are usually built into most webcams or video conferencing hardwrae.

2. Output devices

   • Devices that the computer system uses to send out or display information from the processor.
   • Monitor
     • Cathode ray monitor
       • 4:3 perspective
     • Desktop Displays
       • Flat panels between 15" and 19" long diagonally with a 16:9 perspective.
     • Touch sensitive
       • Input and output device
     • Visual Output
       • Mostly used in education and training
       • Video projectors are now also widespread
     • TFT LCD Technology
       • Used by most flat computer displays
     • OLED Screen
       • Used on some mobile phones and media players.
   • Printer
     • Laser
     • Inkjet
       • Can be used to print out photos
       • Are more expensive to run than laser printers
       • Cheaper to buy than laser printer
     • Offer High quality colour output
     • 3D Printers
       • Allows a computer to output a 3D physical object in various plastics, resins or other materials.