Digital

Technology
Topic 2
Input & Output Devices ​

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 Input and output devices
• An input device sends data to a computer.
• An output device receives information from a computer.
• Some modern monitors use touch screen technology as input and output devices.

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Input devices

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Keyboard
A keyboard allows users to enter typed data.
The most common keyboard layout is called
QWERTY, named after the first six letters on
the top left-hand side of the keyboard. The
keyboard can be a physical keyboard, like the
one you see on a laptop or a virtual keyboard
that you get on touch screen devices like a
tablet or a smartphone.

A keyboard connects to a USB port.

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 u se
M o
Computers generally communicate by showing images and icons with
which the user can interact. A pointing device like a mouse is needed
to select and click on these icons. The mouse detects the change in
position when it is moved and makes a similar change on the screen.
Optical mice have no mechanical parts and are reliable - they use a
Light Emitting Diode (LED) that bounces light off the mouse pad
surface. Devices with touch screens do not need a mouse to select
images and icons since you can use your finger.

A mouse connects to a USB port.

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A scanner is an input device that analyses
an image and converts it to a file, usually
a .jpg. Or .bmp (picture file). Some
scanners provide Optical Character
Recognition (OCR) software that analyses

Sc
the text in an image and converts it into an
editable form. A better quality scanner

an
produces a higher resolution image.
Barcode scanners are a type of scanner
used to scan barcodes on items in retail

ne
stores.

r
A scanner connects to a USB port.

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 Magnetic
Stripe
Reader
Information is encoded on a card's magnetic
stripe or an employee's identification card.
The card reader converts the encoded data in
the magnetic strip into a format that the
computer can understand. Credit cards and
ATM cards are examples of cards that a
magnetic stripe reader can read.

A magnetic stripe reader connects to a USB

port.

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Biometric
Device
A biometric device recognises unique
characteristics of humans, such as voice
recognition, fingerprints, and facial or
retina scans. A person is 'recognised' by
comparing stored data, such as
fingerprints, against the inputted data.
If the computer finds a match, then the
user is identified. Examples include
fingerprint readers and iris scanners.
A biometric device connects to a USB
port.

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Microphone
A microphone converts sound into electrical/digital
energy, which a computer understands. A microphone
uses a diaphragm (a vibrating membrane) that senses
the sound wave and converts it into an electrical signal.

A microphone connects either through a USB port or a

mini audio plug.

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 Sensors
Just as you can detect the natural world through your senses (touch,
smell, sight, hearing, and taste), computers can receive information
about the physical world through sensors. You can use sensors in
robots, light fixtures, alarm systems and autopilot features on
aeroplanes. For example, when you tilt your phone, the tilt sensor will
send a message to the processor and the screen orientation changes.

Sensors most commonly connect using a USB port.

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St Catherine’s Senior School
 (Screen)
Monitor
The most used monitor is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). Two important factors
when choosing a monitor are resolution and screen size. Resolution is the number
of picture elements (pixels) on the monitor. It is measured by the number of pixels
across (rows) and down the monitor (columns), such as 1024 x 768. Each pixel has
a colour. Resolution is affected by several factors, including the size of the
monitor. The size of the monitor is measured diagonally across the screen from
the top left to the bottom right (or vice versa). The measurement does not include
the casing of the screen. The larger the screen, the higher the resolution. LCD
screen sizes are 15 to an incredible 49 inches. Laptop screen sizes are smaller,
typically ranging from 12 to 17 inches.
Monitors/screens are connected to HDMI and sometimes USB-A or USB-C ports.

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Laser & inkjet printers

Printers come in two types of technologies – laser and

inkjet, which print in black or colour. Both types of
printers are non-impact printers where only the ink or
toner touches the paper.
Most printers are connected to a USB port, a LAN port
(for network access) or without any port if they provide
a wireless connection.

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 Pros and cons of an inkjet printer
1. High-Quality Colour Printing: Inkjet printers are 1. Slower Printing Speed: Inkjet printers are
known for their ability to produce high-quality typically slower than laser printers, especially
colour prints, making them suitable for printing
when printing large volumes of text documents.
photographs and graphics.
2. Higher Cost Per Page: Inkjet printers often have
2. Cost-Effective for Low-Volume Printing: Inkjet
a higher cost per page compared to laser
printers are generally less expensive upfront,
making them a cost-effective option for printers, especially when printing large volumes,

Cons
Pros

individuals or small businesses that have low due to the higher cost of ink cartridges.
printing volumes. 3. Prone to Smudging: Printed documents from
3. Versatility in Paper Types: Inkjet printers can print inkjet printers may smudge if not allowed
on a variety of media types, including glossy sufficient drying time, which can be
photo paper, matte paper, and even fabric. inconvenient.
4. Quiet Operation: Inkjet printers tend to operate 4. Ink Cartridge Maintenance: Ink cartridges may
more quietly compared to laser printers, which dry out if the printer is not used regularly,
can be advantageous in quiet office environments leading to potential waste and additional costs.
or homes.

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 Pros and cons of a Laser printer
1. High-Speed Printing: Laser printers are known 1. Limited Colour Printing: While some laser
for their fast printing speeds, making them ideal printers can print colour, they are typically more
for high-volume printing environments such as expensive and may not produce the same
offices. vibrant colours as inkjet printers.
2. Lower Cost Per Page: Laser printers generally 2. Higher Initial Cost: Laser printers are usually
have a lower cost per page compared to inkjet more expensive upfront compared to inkjet

Cons
printers, especially when printing large volumes,
Pros

printers, which can be a barrier for individuals or

due to the lower cost of toner cartridges. small businesses with budget constraints.
3. Sharp Text Printing: Laser printers produce crisp 3. Limited Media Compatibility: Laser printers may
and clear text, making them well-suited for not be suitable for printing on certain media
printing documents with predominantly text types, such as glossy photo paper or fabric,
content. limiting their versatility in creative projects.
4. Low Maintenance: Laser printers require less 4. Noisy Operation: Laser printers tend to be
frequent maintenance compared to inkjet louder during operation compared to inkjet
printers since toner cartridges have a longer printers, which can be disruptive in quiet
shelf life and are less prone to drying out. environments.

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 3D printer
A 3D (three-dimensional) printer is an
output device that can produce different
objects in various materials from the same
machine. A 3D printer can make anything
from ceramic cups to plastic toys, metal
machine parts, or even human body parts.
The 3D printing process turns a whole object
into thousands of tiny little slices, then
makes it from the bottom-up, slice by slice.
These slim layers stick together to form a
solid object.

Most 3D printers are connected to a USB

port, wirelessly or using an SD card slot.

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 Pros and cons of a 3D printer
1. Customization: 3D printing allows for highly customizable designs, enabling users to create unique,
personalized objects tailored to specific needs or preferences.
2. Rapid Prototyping: It enables rapid prototyping of products, allowing designers and engineers to quickly
iterate and test their ideas before mass production, which can significantly reduce development time and
costs.
3. Complex Geometry: 3D printing can produce objects with intricate and complex geometries that are difficult
or impossible to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods, offering new design possibilities.
Pros

4. On-Demand Manufacturing: With 3D printing, objects can be manufactured on-demand, eliminating the
need for large inventories and reducing waste associated with overproduction.
5. Cost-Effective for Small Production Runs: For small production runs or one-off items, 3D printing can be
more cost-effective than traditional manufacturing methods, as it does not require expensive molds or
tooling.
6. Educational Tool: 3D printers are valuable educational tools that can be used to teach students about
design, engineering, and manufacturing processes in a hands-on and engaging way.
7. Medical Applications: In the medical field, 3D printing has revolutionized areas such as prosthetics,
implants, and surgical planning by enabling the production of custom-fit and patient-specific devices.

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 Pros and cons of a 3D printer
1. Limited Material Selection: While 3D printing materials have expanded over the years, the selection
is still limited compared to traditional manufacturing methods, restricting the range of applications.
2. Print Speed: 3D printing can be time-consuming, especially for larger or more complex objects, as the
layer-by-layer printing process can take hours or even days to complete.
3. Quality Control: Achieving consistent quality can be challenging, particularly with consumer-grade 3D
printers, which may produce objects with visible layer lines or other imperfections.
Cons

4. Post-Processing Required: Many 3D-printed objects require post-processing, such as sanding,

painting, or assembly, to achieve the desired finish or functionality, adding time and labour costs.
5. Material Properties: The mechanical properties of 3D-printed objects may not always meet the
requirements of certain applications, as they can vary depending on the printing process and
materials used.
6. Environmental Impact: Some 3D printing processes and materials can have environmental
drawbacks, such as the use of plastic filaments or resin that may not be recyclable or biodegradable.
7. Complexity and Learning Curve: 3D printing requires knowledge of CAD software, slicing software,
and printer operation, which can have a steep learning curve for beginners and may require ongoing
skill development.

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 Speakers/
headphones

Speakers and headphones receive audio

input (in a digital format) from the
computer’s sound card and produce audio
output through sound waves that you can
hear.

Speakers and headphones connect using a

USB or audio jack or can be connected to a
Bluetooth-capable computer using
Bluetooth.

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