Output devices

These are devices used to display and produce data and information held inside the computer.
Example of output devices:

Examples of output devices

 Monitor/screen
 Printers
 Speakers
 multimedia projectors
 Graph Plotters

Printers
A printer is a device that is used to produce hard copies of data held in the computer.
Output from the printer appears as displayed on the computer screen, thus What You See Is
What You Get (WYSIWYG)

Printers are classified into impact and non-impact printers.

Impact Printers (line printers and character printers)

 An impact printer is a type of printer that works by direct contact of an ink ribbon with
paper.

Non-Impact Printers (Page printers)

 Non-impact printers form characters and images without direct physical contact between the
printing mechanism and the paper i.e. between paper, write heads and ink cartridge.
 They are grouped into laser printers and inkjet printers.

a. Inkjet Printers

 Are non – impact character printers based on a relatively new technology. They print characters
by spraying small drops of ink onto paper.

Inkjet printers are made up of

 a print head consisting of nozzles that spray droplets of ink onto the paper to form characters
 an ink cartridge or cartridges; either one cartridge for each colour (blue, yellow and magenta)
and a black cartridge, or one single cartridge containing all three colours and black (note: some
systems use six colours)
 a stepper motor and belt which moves the print head assembly across the page from side to side
 a paper feed which automatically feeds the printer with pages as they are required.

The ink droplets are currently produced using one of two technologies: thermal bubble or
piezoelectric.

Stage Description of what happens

1 data from the document is sent to a printer driver
2 printer driver ensures that the data is in a format that the chosen printer can understand
 check is made by the printer driver to ensure that the chosen printer is available to
3
print (is it busy? is it off-line? is it out of ink? and so on)
4 data is sent to the printer and stored in a temporary memory known as a printer buffer
a sheet of paper is fed into the main body of the printer. A sensor detects whether
5 paper is available in the paper feed tray – if it is out of paper (or the paper is jammed),
an error message is sent back to the computer
as the sheet of paper is fed through the printer, the print head moves from side to side
6 across the paper printing the text or image. The four ink colours are sprayed in their
exact amounts to produce the desired final colour
at the end of each full pass of the print head, the paper is advanced very slightly to
7
allow the next line to be printed. This continues until the whole page has been printed
if there is more data in the printer buffer, then the whole process from stage 5 is
8
repeated until the buffer is empty
once the printer buffer is empty, the printer sends an interrupt to the processor in the
9 computer, which is a request for more data to be sent to the printer. The process
continues until the whole of the document has been printed

Advantages of inkjet printers

 They produce high quality output with presentable features.
 They make less noise because no hammering is done and these have many styles of printing
modes available.
 Colour printing is also possible.
 Some models of inkjet printers can produce multiple copies of printing also.
 More reliable

Disadvantages of inkjet printers

 Expensive as cost per page is high
 Slow as compare to laser printers

b. Laser printers

 Are non-impact page printers. Laser printers use dry powder ink rather than liquid ink and make
use of the properties of static electricity to produce the text and images.
 Laser printer prints by repeatedly passing a laser beam back and forth over a cylinder called a
"drum". The drum then selectively collects powdered ink (toner), and transfers the image to
paper, which is then heated to permanently fuse the text, imagery, or both, to the paper.
 Unlike inkjet printers, for example, laser printers print the whole page in one go. Colour laser
printers use four toner cartridges – blue, cyan, magenta and black. Although the actual technology
is different to monochrome printers, the printing method is similar, but colour dots are used to
build up the text and images.
Advantages of laser printers
 Very high speed
 Very high quality output
  Give good quality output
 Give good graphics quality
 Supports many fonts and different character size

Disadvantages of laser printers

 Expensive.
 Cannot be used to produce multiple copies of a document in a single printing.

Screen/Monitors/ /Visual Display Unit VDU

A screen is a television shaped device used to display contents on the computer as soft copy. Soft
copy refers to data viewed on the screen only. The screen can also be called the Visual Display Unit
(VDU).

It forms images from tiny dots, called pixels that are arranged in a rectangular form. The sharpness of
the image depends upon the number of pixels
There are two common types of screen: Liquid Crystal Display/Diode (LCD) screen and Light
Emitting Diode (LED) screen

Liquid Crystal Display/Diode (LCD) screen and Light Emitting Diode (LED) screen

Both types of displays use liquid crystals to help create an image. The difference is in the
backlights. While a standard LCD monitor uses fluorescent backlights, an LED monitor uses
light-emitting diodes for backlights. LED monitors usually have superior picture quality.

Projectors
Projectors are used to project computer output onto larger screens or even onto interactive
whiteboards. They are often used in presentations and in multimedia applications.

There are two common types of projectors:

• digital light projectors (DLP)
• LCD projectors.

Speaker

Sound is produced from a computer by passing the digital data through a DIGITAL TO ANALOGUE
CONVERTER (DAC) and then through an AMPLIFIER; finally, the sound emerges from a (loud)
SPEAKER. The sound is produced by voltage differences vibrating a cone in the speaker housing at
different frequencies and amplitudes:

Storage devices
 Storage devices are where data to be processed and instructions required for processing are stored.

Storage is divided into:

 Primary Storage (Main Memory/Internal Storage/primary memory)
 Secondary Storage (Backing Storage/Auxiliary Storage)
 Offline storage
Primary Storage (Main Memory, Immediate Access Memory, Internal Storage)
 Refers to memory where data is held temporarily whilst
processing takes place. This includes memory that holds startup routines as well as the current
programs and data it is working with.
 It is the computer memory that is accessed directly by the CPU. Data is instantly accessed
due to its proximity to the processor making it very fast and reliable to use..
 A computer cannot run without the primary memory because it is intimately associated with the
actual working of the computer.
 Primary memory consists of RAM (Random Access Memory), the system ROM (Read Only
Memory) and the processor cache. However, in most cases primary / main memory refers to the
system RAM.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

 Is used to store data, files, or part of the operating system and programs that are currently in use
temporarily during processing so that data can be easily accessed by the processor.
 RAM is volatile, which means that it loses its contents when power is switched off. This means
each time your computer startups, the operating system must be loaded from secondary memory
(such as hard drive) into the primary memory or RAM. Hence, a backup Uninterruptible Power
System (UPS) is often used with computers.
 By increasing the RAM size, the number of times this access operation is carried out is reduced,
making the computer run faster.
 Data in the RAM can be accessed randomly.
 RAM is volatile meaning data is lost when power is lost. The contents of RAM can be changed or
deleted.

Functions of RAM
 Storage of programs currently running on the computer,
 Storage of data currently being processed in the computer,
 Storage of instructions waiting to be executed by the computer,
 Storage of input data before processing,
 Storage of output data, waiting to be saved or output to the printer,

ROM (Read Only Memory)

 Is a memory used to store information that needs to be permanent. ROM contents can only be
read from and cannot be erased or modified.
 ROM is non-volatile, i.e. when the computer is switched off, the contents are not lost.
 ROM consists of hard wired instructions, during manufacturing, that the computer uses when it
boots up before the system software loads. This operation is referred to as bootstrap.
 In PCs, the instructions are read from a small program in the ROM called the boot firmware or
BIOS (Basic Input/output System) which tells the computer what to do when it first starts up.
 The BIOS stores the date, time and system configuration in a non-volatile chip called a CMOS
(complementary metal oxide semiconductor) - this is usually battery powered.
 ROM is also used in electronic devices such as keypad mobile phones, children’s handheld
games, VCRs, DVDs and digital watches and home appliances such as tvs, washing machine and
microwaves.
 ROM is slower and hence cheaper than RAM
 Functions of ROM
 Stores the firmware software (Basic Input-Output System (BIOS)) of the computer. BIOS
refer to software that test hardware at start-up, starts the operating system and support data
transfer between devices.
 To update the firmware software of the computer.
 Stores control programs for the operation of the computer and its peripherals.
 Instructs the RAM to load the operating system.
 Stores translator programs

Advantages of ROM
 Non-volatile in nature
 Cannot be accidentally changed
 Cheaper than RAMs
 Easy to test
 More reliable than RAMs

Cache Memory

 Cache memory is a very high speed volatile memory available to the processor which can speed
up the CPU. It acts as a buffer between the CPU and the main memory.
 It is used to hold those parts of data and program which are most frequently used/requested by the
CPU so that they are immediately available to the CPU when needed thus reducing the average
time to access data from the main memory.

 The parts of data and programs are transferred from the disk to cache memory by the operating
system, from where the CPU can access them.
 Cache may be a reserved portion of main memory, another chip on CPU or an independent high
speed storage device. Cache memory is made of fast speed SRAMs.
 Whenever the processor needs any piece of data or instructions, it checks the cache first. If it is
unavailable there, then the main memory and finally secondary memory is accessed.

Advantages of cache memory

 faster than main memory.

 It consumes less access time as compared to main memory.
 It stores the program that can be executed within a short period of time.
 It stores data for temporary use.

Disadvantages of cache memory

 Cache memory has limited capacity.

  It is very expensive.
Secondary Storage

 Are devices used to store data and programs permanently for future use inside the computer.
It is non-volatile permanent storage that is part of a computer.
 Unlike offline storage, secondary storage is directly connected to the computer and does not
need to be removed after use.
 Examples include internal Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and internal Solid State Drive(SSD).
When the HDD and the SSD act as external drives, they are referred to as offline storage.

Offline storage

 Also known as Backing Storage/Auxiliary Storage/External Storage/Secondary Memory, are

removable devices used to store data and programs permanently for future use outside the
computer systems. It is a supplement to secondary storage and is non-volatile.
 CPU directly does not access these memories, instead they are accessed via input-output
routines. The contents of secondary memories are first transferred to the main memory, and
then the CPU can access it.
 Computer may run without the offline storage.
 Examples include flash sticks, memory cards, CDs, DVDs, etc.

Storage devices – both secondary and offline - are grouped into magnetic storage and optical
storage.

a. Magnetic Storage

Uses platters which are divided into tracks and sectors. Data is read and written using electromagnets

Examples of magnetic storage

 hard drives
 magnetic tapes,
 diskettes/floppy disks,
 zip drives,
 magnetic drum
 super disk

Hard Disk (Hard Drive):

 It is a fixed device for storing information within the computer system unit (internal hard disk) or
outside as external hard disk. These are disks used to store large volumes of data and programs,
including operating systems. A typical modern HDD has capacity in terabytes (TB).
 Hard disk drive is made up of a series of circular disks called platters arranged one over the other
almost ½ inches apart around a spindle. A magnetic reader arm with read–write heads can move
very quickly – typically they can move from the centre of the disk to the edge of the disk (and
back again) 50 times a second.
 A hard disk provides fast access to data known as direct access and has high speed storage.
 Data is stored on tracks in a random way and data retrieval is in a random way.
 The internal hard disk can also be referred to as the (C:\drive).

Uses of Hard Disk

 Creating backups for data,
 storing communication and applications software,
 Storing of the operating system from which the computer will boot,
  Transferring large volumes of data from one computer to another.
 Used in file servers for computer networks

Advantages Hard disks

 Easier to access stored data
 They have a long life span, of about 5 years or more,
 Provides direct access to data,
 It is easier and faster to update data on hard disks,
 They are more robust,
 Have large storage capacity

Disadvantages of Hard Disks

 Hard to repair once damaged,
 Not suitable for processing of files with a high hit rate (they are low processing disks),
 Can easily crush if computer is not switched off properly,
 They are expensive to buy

Magnetic Tapes:
 A magnetic tape is a very thin strip of plastic which is coated in a magnetic layer. They are read
and written to by a read/write head. The data is stored in magnetic areas which represent 1s and
0s. Data is written to and read from the tape in sequence (i.e. in order) – for example, if five
records A, B, C, D and E were stored they would be in the order E D C B A on the tape; so if
record B was to be read it would be necessary to read E, D and C first before getting to the
required record. This is known as serial access. Gaps are usually used to separate individual data
records.
 It is a non-volatile storage medium. Nearly all recording tape is of this type, whether used for
video, audio storage or general purpose digital data storage using a computer.

b. Optical Storage Media/ optical Media/Optical Memory/Optical Medium

 Refers to devices that use light from a laser beam to store data on them.
 The data is stored as a series of pits (equivalent to a binary value of 1) and lands (equivalent to
the binary value of 0) in the metallic optical layer.
 Data is stored in patterns of dots (indentations known as pits) which can be easily read using light.
Laser beam is used as the light source.
 Data is read from the centre outwards in a spiral using the laser beam by bouncing light onto the
recording surface of the media. It distinguishes the pits and lands based on the differences in
reflectivity of light off the recording material.

Examples of Optical Media

 Compact Disks(CD),
 Digital Versatile Disks(DVD),
 Video Compact Disks(VCD)
 High Density DVD (HD DVD)

CD (Compact Disk):
 CDs are circular disks that use optical rays, usually lasers, to read and write data.
 It stores data on tracks in a random way. Data retrieval is in random order.
 Storage capacity is 750 MB.
 Writing of data on CD is done by a device called CD writer/burner.
 CDs can be grouped into CD- ROM, CD- Rs CD- RWs(CD- Rewritable) and DVDs
CD- ROM
 CD-ROM (Compact Disk – Read Only Memory) − The data on these CDs are recorded by the
manufacturer.
 CD-ROMs are used by manufacturers to store music files and proprietary software, computer
games and reference software (such as an encyclopedia).
 One can read from but can’t change anything by deleting or adding new information.

CD-R (Compact Disk – Recordable)

 Are blank CDs that the user can write on, only once. CD-R and DVD-R The letter ‘R’ here
means the disk is recordable once only and then it becomes a CD-ROM.

CD-RW (Compact Disk – Rewritable)

 These disks are a re-writable media and can be written over several times.
 CD-RWs are used to record radio and television programmes and closed circuit television
(CCTV) systems.

DVD (Digital Versatile Disc):

 Are spherical in shape that can store data on tracks in a random way.
 They are usually used to store rich multimedia files that need high storage capacity.
 Data retrieval is in random order.
 Storage capacity is about 4 GB.
 Writing of data on CD is done by a device called DVD writer/burner.
 DVDs also come in three varieties – read only, recordable and rewritable

Examples of DVDs include DVD ROM, DVD-R, DVD- RW and these perform the same functions as
their counterparts – the CDs

Blu-Ray Disk
 Blu-ray disks have the largest capacity of all the optical media available and go up to 100
Gigabyte (at the present time).
 Blue Ray disks allow for storage of data due to the shorter wavelength of the laser beam light
used to write data on the disk than that Used in CDs and DVDs.
 They can store up to 128 GB data.
 They store high definition (HD) video and other multimedia filed.

c. Solid state storage

 Store data in millions of miniature transistors within the microchip: if the transistor conducts
a current, this is equivalent to a 1, otherwise it is a 0 (binary data).
 They consequently have no moving parts, consume much less power and are
extremely robust.
 They are used primarily as removable storage devices and are collectively known
as flash memory. The most common examples are memory sticks/pen drives and
memory cards.

Examples of solid state storage

 Solid state drives (SSD)
 USB flash drives
 USB memory stick
 SD cards
  Micro SD cards
 SIM cards
 Smart cards such as chip and pin credit and debit cards
 Multimedia cards

Solid state drives

Store data by controlling the movement of electrons within NAND chips. They have no moving parts
and all data is retrieved at the same rate.

Advantages
The main benefits of main benefits of using SSD rather than HDD:
 more reliable (no moving parts to go wrong)
 considerably lighter (which makes them suitable for laptops)
 don’t have to ‘get up to speed’ before they work properly
 they have a lower power consumption
 run much cooler than HDDs (these last two points again make them very
suitable for laptop computers)
 because they have no moving parts, they are very thin
 data access is considerably faster than HDD.

Disadvantages
Are conservatively rated at only 20 GB write operations per day over a three-year period – this is
known as SSD endurance. For this reason, SSD technology is not used in servers, for example, where
a huge number of write operations take place every day.