2. Input and output devices

Input Device

Any hardware that sends data into the computer, allowing you to interact with and control the computer.

Output Device

Any peripheral that receives data from the computer. (usually for display, projection, or physical reproduction.

3D printer

A printing device that creates physical objects from digital models. It's primary use in computer aided design (CAD) application to print out the model that user has been working on to become soild 3D object that looks like real life product. It works by sending out melting material that become soild when printed that makes it able to form layers that can be as thin as 0.1 mm thick. Use: printing modal of an object that is usually in small size, manufactering different parts of object and then put together to become one object, prosthetic limb for injured people that can exactly fits them. Advantage people can be easier to produce small size material as it's hard for a person to work on a small object, It's produce the exact same size and shape of the object that we design. Disadvantage it usually takes very long time to print than normal printer, also the 3D printer comes in very expensive price and usually only produce small size object.

Barcode Reader

Barcode Reader are used for reading information in the form of barcode. The barcode reader are hand held scanner that makes it easy for retailer to scan the barcode on the product. Barcode scanner often connects to POS terminal that allows information and price can be shown once the same barcode number on product and system is found. Uses are in supermarkets and shops for fast scanning the product that user is buying, Used in library to keep track of book that is on loan Advantage of Barcode reader are much faster and less chance of error data input than typing data into computer, It allows to check number of stocks left in the shop. Disadvantage of Barcode reader are you'll it's expensive to set up program, and it needs server and at least 1 counter computer if you want to have multiple check outs, The barcode can be swap around on the different items, It easier to get damage as person can peel the barcode off easily.

Inkjet Printer

High quality, low volume of hard copies, It comes in smaller size than laser printer means that it often use in houses. The uses of this printer are when you need a high quality printing but you don't need many copies of it such as photographs and work document. Advantage of this Printer are it's cost less than Laser printer while producing similar quality image. It has lightweight compare to laser printer. Disadvantage of this Printer are it has slow output when you need many copies at high quality, You need to replace ink when it's run out and the ink maybe very expensive for very high quality printer.

Speaker

Produces sound generated by the computer. This is done by after computer process data and it'll send information that is convert into sound (Digital to analog converter) and sends sound out from speaker. Uses of speaker are watching movies on your computer, playing sound from sound file, Help user with disabilities to able to listen instead of reading text. Advantage making people able to listen to video, sound file from computer, It helps blind people to be able to hear sound from computer. Disadvantage:it can get interference from electrical noise from wire nearby.

Joystick

Use: In video/computer games as well as simulators for example flight simulators. Advantages: Easier to navigate on screen than a keyboard. Control is more realistic than a mouse Disadvantages: More difficult to control the on-screen pointer than a mouse

Web Cam

Use: Many people use webcams as a more personal way of having a conversation while chatting online. They are used to enable video conferencing to talce place. Advantages: They can be left on constantly, only being activated as required, this means it is possible to have an immediate face-to-face video chat much lilce instant messageing with images. They allow people to keep in contact with each other without the need to travel (very useful for elderly or disabled people). Disadvantage: They have very limited features and are often ofpoor quality. They need to be connected to the computer (although this is less of an issue with laptop computers when the webcam is usually built in to the monitor lid).

Mouse

Use: Open, close, and minimising windows. Grouping, moving and deleting files. Image editing for example selecting from a menu or icon. Advantages: Faster way to select an option than using a keybord. Quicker way to navigate through applications and the internet. Doesnt take large desk space like a keyboard. Disadavantages: Can be more difficult for people with ristricted arm/wrist movement than a keyboard. Easy to damage, and the older type of mouse becomes easily clogged up with dirt. Difficult to use if no flat surface is available

Scanners

Use: Scan in documents and convert into a format for use in various software packages. Scan in old/valuable documents/books, thus protecting the originals, as well as producing records in case the paper copies are lost/destroyed (this is also known as archiving). Scan in photographs (not all cameras are digital, so some photographs are still printed on paper requiring conversion to computer format for storage). Advantages: Images can be stored for editing at a later date. Much faster and more accurate (i.e. no typing errors) than typing in documents again. It is possible to recover damaged documents and photographs by scanning in and then using appropriate software to produce an acceptable copy.

Trackerball

Use: Similar to a mouse except pointer is controlled by spinning a ball that is located on the top or side of the device. Normally used by those with arm/wrist disabilites (such as RSI). Can be found in some luxury cars to select functions such as radio or satnav. Advantages: Doesnt need the same fine control as a mouse. Easier to use if the user is disabled. Needs less desk space than a mouse or keyboard. Disadvantages: Not supplied standard with computers, therefor more costly. User may need training since it isnt standard equipment.

Remote Control

Use: To control the opertation of another device remotely using infrared signals. Most commonly used to control multi-media devices, but is also used in industrial applications to remotely control the processes such as start and stopping machines. Advantages: Can be opporated from a reasonable distance. Some chemical processes are hazardous, so it is safer to use remote controls. Disadvantages: Difficult to use if operator has restricted hand/wrist movement. Signal can be easily blocked by walls.

Microphone

Use: To input speech/sounds to be used in various applications, for example in presentations, sampling (in films, music, etc.) and special effects (films). Input in voice-recognition software. Advantages: Faster to read text than to type it in using a keyboard. It is possible to manipulate sound in real time using special software rather than work on a recording done at some earlier stage. Disadvantages: Sound files can use up a lot of computer memory. Voice-recognition software isn't as accurate as typing in manually (for example, software can't distinguish the difference between 'their' and 'there'.

Touch Screen

Use: Unstead of using a seperate keyboard/mouse the screen is interactable by tapping on icons that are displayed. Most commonly found on tablets and self-service tills. Advantages: Faster/Easier entry of options than a keyboard/mouse. Easy method of selection options. User-friendly, no training nessessary for use. Disadvantages: Limited number of options are available. Can lead to problems if operator uses it too frequently (RSI, muscle strain). From constant touching the screen will get dirty.

Numberic Keypad

Use: for entering numbers only. Can be found on ATM's where customers can enter their PIN, Amount of money, Mobile phones to allow phone numbers to be keyed in, and on POS terminals incase barcode scanners are not functioning properly Advantages: Faster than normal keyboards when entering numeric data. Disadvantages: Sometimes have small keys and can be diffucult to input data,

Keyboard

Use: for inputing text/numbers into a computer. The most common keyboards use the 'QWERTY' layout. (This comes from the top letters of a keyboard.) Ergonomic keyboards are designed to reduce health-realted problems that are caused by using a standard keyboard. Advantages: Fast entry of new text into a document, Easy to use for most people, Easy to do verification checks as the data is entered Disadvantages: Difficult to use if user has limited arm/wrist use, Slow method compaired to direct data entry, Fairly large device that uses up valuable desk space.

Touchpad

Use: pointing device similar to a mouse that are usually integrated into laptop computers. It is controlled by moving your finger and on the touchpag to simulate a mouse Advantages: Similar to a mouse. Since integrated into laptop computers there is no need for a seperate mouse. Disadvantages: Diffucult to use for people with restricted arm/wrist movement. Can be more difficult to use than a mouse. More difficult to use doing certain opperations such as drag and drop

Laser Printer

high quality and high volume output. The paper is feed very quick through laser that makes it faster for user to print compare to using inkjet printer. Usese in offices or building that needs high quality printout and high volumes of printout. Advantage of using are you'll save a lot of time if you are print lots of page, Toner cartridges last for longer than Inkjet printer and can be use for more number of printout. Disadvantage ofthis printer are the printer itself are expensive than inkjet and dot matrix printer.

Dot matrix printer

this printer is a type of impact printer where the print head is made out of pin are press against ink ribbon to produce colour on the paper. It works with continuious paper feed. Uses e in office that needs lots of printing and only needs to print in one colour and quality is not the important fact. Advantage: it can be use in dirty and dusty enviorment, carbon copies on the paper can be produce at the same time, It's cheaper to print a page than inkjet and laser printer. Disadvantage it only produce one colour that is it's ink ribbon colour, It has poor quality printing, It makes lots of sound.