Input and Output Devices

Output Devices

An output device is a computer that allows information to come out of the computer. The output can be seen or heard. Output devices include speakers, headphones, monitor, printer, plotter, and speech synthesizer.

Speaker

Speakers are used to hear sound from the computer. The volume controlled by turning the knob.

Microphone

A microphone is used to record or transmit sound made by a person's voice when they talk or sing.

Mouse

A mouse is a small device that a person pushes across a desk surface to position the mouse pointer.

Headphones

Headphones are small speakers that are placed over or into the ear. This device is used to hear the sound from the computer privately.

Laser Jet

Uses a laser beam reflected from a mirror to attract ink (called toner) to selected paper areas as a sheet rolls over a drum.

Printer

A printer is a device that accepts text and graphics from a computer and transfers, the information to paper. Although there are several types of printers, the two standard types of printers are ink jet and laser jet.

Scanner

A scanner can read text or pictures printed on paper and translate the information into a form the computer can use.

Input devices

An input device is a computer part that allows the user to enter information into the computer. Input devices include the keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, joystick, trackball, touch pad, touch screen, and light pen.

Keyboard

Keyboard contains letters, numbers, standard function keys, cursor movement keys, formatting keys, and other manufacturer-customized keys.

Ink Jet

Sprays ink from an ink cartridge at very close range to the paper as it rolls by.

Monitor

The monitor is the essential part of the computer system that displays text and graphics generated by a computer. Monitors display information in many colors and are best compared with colored televisions.