Maxfort School Paschim Vihar

Section-B (Ch-3)
Computer Applications Computer Hardware

Q1. What are input devices?

Ans- Input devices are hardware components that allow users to enter data and commands
into a computer or other digital systems. They serve as a bridge between the user and the
computer by converting human actions, such as typing or clicking, into signals that the
computer can process.

Q2. Explain three input devices used as a storage medium.

Ans- Input devices used as a storage medium generally serve dual purposes: they allow
users to input data into a system while also functioning as a means of storing that data. Here
are three such devices:

a. USB Flash Drive- It is commonly used to input large amounts of data, transfer files
between computers, and store backup copies of important files.

b. External Hard Drive- It is used to store large amounts of data such as backups, media
files (movies, music), and software. It serves as both a data input device and a long-term
storage medium.

c. Memory Card (SD Card) - It is widely used in cameras, smartphones, and gaming
consoles to store and transfer data such as photos, videos, and application files. It inputs
stored data into the device for processing or viewing.

Q3. What is a printer? Explain different types of printers.

Ans- A printer is an output device that transfers digital text and images from a computer or
other electronic device onto physical paper or other media. Printers allow users to produce
hard copies of documents, photographs, and graphics for various purposes like reports,
posters, or images.

Types of Printers

a. Inkjet Printer
o Description: Inkjet printers spray tiny droplets of liquid ink onto paper to form
images or text.
o Usage: Common for home and office use due to their ability to produce high-
quality color prints, including photographs.
o Advantages: High-quality color output, relatively low initial cost.
o Disadvantages: Ink cartridges can be expensive, slower compared to laser
printers for large-volume printing.
b. Laser Printer
 oDescription: Laser printers use a laser beam to transfer toner (powdered ink)
onto paper, which is then heated to fuse the toner to the paper.
o Usage: Widely used in offices due to their speed and efficiency, especially for
high-volume black-and-white printing.
o Advantages: Faster printing, lower cost per page, sharp text quality.
o Disadvantages: Higher upfront cost, especially for color laser printers.
c. Dot Matrix Printer
o Description: Dot matrix printers create images and text by striking a ribbon
with pins to form patterns of dots on paper.
o Usage: Used for specialized applications, like printing multi-part forms or in
industrial settings where reliability is more important than print quality.
o Advantages: Durable, can print on continuous paper, and multi-copy forms.
o Disadvantages: Low print quality, noisy, slow compared to modern printers.
d. 3D Printer
o Description: 3D printers create physical three-dimensional objects by layering
materials such as plastic, resin, or metal based on digital models.
o Usage: Used in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and architecture for
creating prototypes, tools, and even medical implants.
o Advantages: Capable of creating complex designs, customization of objects.
o Disadvantages: Expensive, slow production speed for complex items.

Q4. What is a port? What are the different types of ports available on a computer?

Ans- A port in computing refers to a physical or virtual interface through which data is
transferred between a computer and external devices or networks. Physical ports allow
peripherals (like printers, keyboards, and storage devices) to connect to a computer, while
virtual ports (or network ports) enable communication between software applications and
networks.

Types of Ports Available on a Computer

a. USB (Universal Serial Bus) Ports

 Description: The most commonly used port, allowing connection to various devices
like keyboards, mice, flash drives, printers, and external hard drives.

b. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) Port

 Description: Transmits both high-definition video and audio signals from the
computer to displays like monitors, projectors, or TVs.

c. Ethernet Port (RJ-45)

 Description: Used to connect a computer to a wired local area network (LAN) for
internet access or file sharing.
d. VGA (Video Graphics Array) Port

 Description: An older video interface used to connect a computer to an external

e. Audio Ports (3.5mm Jack)

 Description: Small round ports for connecting audio devices like speakers,
headphones, or microphones.

f. Serial and Parallel Ports

 Description: Older ports used for connecting peripherals such as printers (parallel
port) or modems (serial port).
 Usage: Mostly obsolete, but still found in some industrial equipment.

Q5. What is a monitor? What are the different types of monitors available in market?

Ans- A monitor is an output device that displays visual information from a computer or
other electronic devices. It allows users to interact with graphical interfaces, view text,
images, and videos, and is essential for almost every computer setup.

Types of Monitors Available in the Market

a. CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) Monitor

 Description: An older type of monitor that uses electron beams to illuminate

b. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Monitor

 Description: Modern monitors that use liquid crystals sandwiched between layers of
glass, with a backlight to display images.
 Usage: Common for computers, TVs, smartphones, and other devices.
 Advantages: Slim design, energy-efficient, lightweight, affordable.
 Disadvantages: Limited viewing angles, lower color contrast compared to OLED.

c. LED (Light Emitting Diode) Monitor

 Description: A type of LCD monitor that uses LED backlighting instead of the
traditional cold cathode fluorescent lights (CCFL).
 Usage: Most widely used monitors today for home and office use.
 Advantages: Better brightness, energy-efficient, thin design, longer lifespan.
 Disadvantages: More expensive than traditional LCD monitors.
d. OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) Monitor

 Description: OLED monitors use organic compounds that emit light when an electric
current is applied. Unlike LED, each pixel in an OLED screen produces its own light,
eliminating the need for a backlight.
 Usage: High-end displays for gaming, professional design work, and televisions.
 Advantages: Excellent color accuracy, deeper blacks, faster response time, wide
viewing angles.
 Disadvantages: Expensive, prone to screen burn-in over time.

e. Plasma Monitor

 Description: Uses plasma cells (ionized gas) to display images. These monitors are no
longer commonly produced but were popular for large-screen displays.
 Usage: Primarily used in TVs and large monitors in the past.
 Advantages: Good color reproduction, wide viewing angles, better contrast than
LCDs.
 Disadvantages: Heavy, high power consumption, prone to burn-in, outdated
technology.

f. Touchscreen Monitor

 Description: A monitor that allows direct interaction with the screen through touch,
eliminating the need for a keyboard or mouse for certain tasks.
 Usage: Common in smartphones, tablets, and kiosks, as well as interactive displays in
offices and education.
 Advantages: User-friendly, supports multitouch gestures, good for interactive
applications.
 Disadvantages: More expensive than regular monitors, screen may smudge easily,
may not be ideal for prolonged use in traditional computing tasks.

Q6. Explain the below input devices:

a. Mouse- A mouse is a hand-held pointing device that allows users to interact with a
computer by moving a cursor on the screen. It translates physical movement into
digital signals that the computer processes.
b. Keyboard- A keyboard is an input device that allows users to enter text, numbers,
and commands into a computer. It consists of a layout of keys, each representing
letters, numbers, symbols, and special functions.
c. Joystick- A joystick is an input device used primarily for gaming or simulations. It consists of a
stick that pivots on a base, allowing the user to control movement by tilting the stick in different
directions.

Q7. What are the different types of Compact disks available in market?

Ans- Compact Disks (CDs) are optical storage media used to store digital data, including
music, software, and files. There are several types of compact disks available in the market,
each serving different purposes. Few are listed below-
a. CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory): A CD-ROM is a pre-recorded compact
disk that can only be read and not written or erased. It is used to distribute data, software,
music, and other media.

b. CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable: A CD-R allows users to write data to the disk once,
but the data cannot be erased or rewritten once it is burned.

c. CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable): A CD-RW can be written and rewritten multiple
times. It allows users to erase data and burn new data onto the same disk.