The Device

Back to: COMPUTER SCIENCE JSS1

 

Welcome to class! 

In today’s class, we will be talking about the device. Enjoy the class!

The Device

There are two main types of computer devices and they are:

Input devices:

An input device is a piece of hardware used to provide data to a computer used for interaction and control.  It allows input of raw data to the computer for processing.

Here’s a list of some input devices used in computers and other computing devices:

• Keyboard:

One of the primary input devices used to input data and commands. It has function keys, control keys, arrow keys, keypad and the keyboard itself with the letters, numbers and commands. Keyboards are connected to the computer through USB or Bluetooth.

A laptop keyboard is more compact than a desktop keyboard to make the laptop smaller and lighter.  Smartphones and tablets use the on-screen keyboard to input messages and select commands.

• Mouse:

An input device used to control the cursor and coordinates. It can be wired or wireless.  It allows the user to do the following:

1. Move the mouse cursor
2. Select
3. Scroll
4. Open or execute a program
5. Drag-and-drop
6. Hover
7. Perform other functions with the use of additional buttons

 

A laptop uses a touchpad as the mouse.  A smartphone and tablet use a touchscreen as a primary input device and the user’s finger is used as the mouse.

• Microphone: 

An input device that allows users to input audio into their computers. Here are some uses of the microphone:

1. Audio for video
2. Computer gaming
3. Online chatting
4. Recording musical instruments
5. Recording voice for dictation, singing and podcasts
6. Voice recorder
7. Voice recognition
8. VoIP – Voice over Internet Protocol

• Digital Camera: 

Is an input device that takes pictures digitally. Images are stored as data on memory cards.  It has an LCD screen that allows users to preview and review images.  Digital cameras have become popular over film cameras because of the following features: LCD screen – allows users to view the photos and videos immediately

Storage – can store thousands of pictures

Picture development – allows users to choose and pick which pictures to develop

Size – takes up less space and can be easily carried

• Scanner: 

Is an input device that reads an image and converts it into a digital file. A scanner is connected to a computer through USB.  There are different types of scanners:

Flatbed scanner – uses a flat surface to scan documents

Sheetfed scanner – like a laser printer where the paper is fed into the scanner

Handheld scanner – the scanner is dragged over the page to be scanned

Card scanner – for scanning business card

• Touchscreen: 

The touchscreen is an input device that allows users to interact with a computer using their fingers. It is used widely in laptop monitors, smartphones, tablets, cash registers and information kiosks.  Most common functions of touchscreens are as follows:

1. Tap
2. Double-tap
3. Touch and hold
4. Drag
5. Swipe
6. Pinch

• Barcode reader: 

Also known as a barcode scanner or point of sale (POS) scanner, it is an input device capable of reading barcodes.

• Stylus:

It is a pen-shaped input device used to write or draw on the screen of a graphic tablet or device.  Initially, it was just used for graphic tablets and PDAs, but now, it has become popular on mobile devices as a replacement for the user’s fingers.  It’s used for more accurate navigation and to keep oils from user’s fingers off the device screen.

Output devices:

An output device is any peripheral that receives data from a computer, usually for display, projection, or physical reproduction. For example, the image shows an inkjet printer, an output device that can make a hard copy of anything shown on the monitor. Monitors and printers are two of the most used output devices used with a computer.

The following list contains many different examples of output devices.

1. 3D Printer
2. Braille embosser
3. Braille reader
4. COM (Computer Output Microfilm)
5. Flat-panel
6. GPS
7. Headphones
8. Monitor
9. Plotter
10. Printer (dot matrix printer, inkjet printer, and laser printer)
11. Projector
12. Sound card
13. Speakers
14. SGD (Speech-generating device)
15. TV
16. Video card

What are the output devices of a computer?

Every computer has a monitor, an audio adapter, and a GPU (either onboard or discrete). Each of these is an output device. A printer is also very commonly used with computers. Depending on the type of computer and how the computer is used, other output devices may be used with a computer. The best method of determining all the output devices your computer has is to go through the list above.

Why do computers need output devices?

A computer can still work without an output device. However, you’d have no way of determining what the computer is doing. By using an output device, you can view and get the results of input from a computer.

 

In our next class, we will be talking about Types of Computer.  We hope you enjoyed the class.

Should you have any further question, feel free to ask in the comment section below and trust us to respond as soon as possible.

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