Advantages/Disadvantages of using a Keyboard:

Advantages Disadvantages

Enables fast entry of text into documents. People with wrist and hand problems can find keyboards
painful to use.

Very easy to use (you just press the keys). Keyboards are quite large and can take up a lot of desk space.

Information that you input instantly appears on the screen. Entering data is slow when compared to automatic methods.
This lets you quickly check that what you are entering is
correct. For example - a barcode code scanner will input data into the
computer almost instantly.

Numeric Keypads
Information: Examples:
# Numeric keypads are used for entering numbers into a computer system ('Numeric'
means number)

# Some numeric keypads also allow you to enter simple text and symbols.

Uses of Numeric Keypads:

# There are many day-to-day uses of numeric keypads. Here are some of them:

ATM (Automatic teller Entering personal identification numbers (PIN) into an

machines) - ATM to allow us to access our cash. Bank ATM's use numeric keypads to let us enter PIN
numbers and withdrawal amounts.
Withdrawing from ATM - Keying in how much money you would like to withdraw
from an ATM.

Telephones - These use numeric keypads to allow us to enter phone

numbers.

Chip and Pin devices - These have numeric keypads to allow users to enter PIN
numbers and payment amounts when we buy goods and
products.

Mobile phones use numeric keypads to allow us to

Advantages/Disadvantages of using Numeric Keypads: enter phone numbers.

Advantages Disadvantages

Faster than QWERTY keyboards when used People with large hands can find them
for entering numbers. hard to use because of their small keys.

Numeric keypads are small so they can Difficult (but not impossible) to enter text
easily fit on smaller devices like mobile information.
phones.

Inputting data into a computer using a keyboard.

Pointing Devices (mouse, touchpad, trackerball)

Overview of pointing devices: Examples:
# Pointing devices are pieces of hardware that are used to control a pointer (curser) on a
screen.

# Pointing devices are frequently used with Graphical User Interface (GUI) operating
systems where pointers are used to input commands by selecting icons.

Mice are one of the devices that allow us to control a

screen pointer.

Pointing devices (like mice) are used to control pointers (curser's) and click icons and options on GUI operating systems.

# There are three main types of pointing device:

 Mouse
Touchpad
Trackerball

Trackerballs also allow us to control a screen pointer.

Information about the Mouse:

# There are two different types of mice - a ball mouse and an optical mouse.
Examples:
Ball Mouse - Uses a ball under the mouse to detect movement.

Optical Mouse - Uses reflected light to detect movement.

# The ball (in a ball mouse) and the reflected light (in an optical mouse) allows the user to
direct and control an on-screen pointer.

# Mice have two buttons and a scroll wheel. These provide users with different functions:

Left button is used to select icons and click options

A ball mouse uses a ball to detect movement. These
Right button is used to call up a drop-down menu of options
are prone to clogging which can affect accuracy.
Scroll wheel is used to move up and down through a document.

An optical mouse uses light to detect movement.

These are more accurate than ball mice and are
better for editing images.

Mice use two buttons and a scroll wheel to allow us to activate different functions.

# Cordless mice work in the same way as regular mice but they do not need a wire
plugged into the computer. They are powered by batteries instead of the computer.

Cordless mice are an example of a wireless device.

Uses of Mice:
# Common uses of mice include:

Cordless mice are used in exactly the same way as

1. Opening, closing, maximising and minimising programs and files. regular mice but they do not use a wire plugged into
the computer. They use wireless technology in order
to communicate with the computer. They are powered
2. Moving, grouping and deleting files. by batteries.

3. Controlling a pointer on screen to select icons or move around the page.

4. Editing images in terms of size and position on the screen.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Mice:

Advantages Disadvantages

Faster to select icons and options when compared to a People with wrist and hand problems (like RSI) can find mice
keyboard. painful to use.

Very easy to move a pointer around a screen and to navigate Ball mice can pick up dirt which will affect the accuracy of
through documents. pointer movement.

Mice are small and do not take up much space. Mice need a flat surface in order to work properly

For example - they would be difficult to use on train unless you

 had a flat table to rest on.

Information about the Touchpad:

Examples:
# Used as a replacement to a mouse in many laptops.

# Users lightly brush their finger over the touchpad in order to control a pointer.

# Touchpads have two buttons which have the same purpose as mouse buttons:

Left Button - Used to select icons and activate options.

Right Button - Used to call up a drop-down list of menu options.

Touchpads are built into laptops and perform the
same functions as mice.

The touchpad allows us to control a screen pointer

and the buttons allow us to select icons and call up
Uses of Touchpads: options.

# Touchpads have the same uses as mice. (click here to return to mouse uses)

Advantages/Disadvantages of Touchpads:

Advantages Disadvantages

Easier than QWERTY keyboards when used to select options More difficult to control a mouse pointer when compared to a
and icons. mouse.

Touchpads are built into laptops so there is no need for a People with wrist and hand problems (like RSI) can find
separate mouse. This helps improve portability. touchpads painful to use.

Can be used even when there is no flat surface available. Some operations are more difficult to perform when compared to
a mouse. Drag and Drop for example.

Won't get clogged with dirt (as can happen with ball mice) so
performance is never reduced.

Information about the Trackerball: Examples:

# Trackerball's are similar to mice but the ball is on the top of the device instead of the
bottom.

# Screen pointers are controlled by rotating the large ball with your hand.

# The buttons on trackerball's perform the same functions as those on mice and touchpads.

Uses of Trackerball's:
# Trackerball's have the same functions as mice. (click here to return to mouse uses)

Trackerball's perform the same functions as a mouse

# They are, however, much more comfortable to use than mice. This means that people
but they require less wrist movement and so are more
with painful hand and wrist problems (like RSI) can use a trackerball. comfortable to use.

Why are they more Trackerball's are more comfortable than mice because there is
comfortable? less wrist movement required. They are more ergonomic.

# Some arcade gaming machines use trackerball's to control games characters on screen.

Because trackerball's are so durable (tough) they can deal with the wear and tear of
gamers using them.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Touchpads:
Old arcade games machines often used trackerball's
Advantages Disadvantages to allow gamers to direct in-game characters.

People with hand/wrist problems can still use More expensive than mice.
trackerball's

More accurate than mice or touchpads. More difficult to learn to use than a
mouse.
Pointer can be positioned more exactly which makes
trackerball's very using for image editing.

Can be used even when there is no flat surface

available.
 No limit on ball travel.

A mouse sometimes runs out of room on a mouse

mat. With a trackerball you just keep rolling.

The world's first trackerball was developed in 1952

and used a bowling ball.

Remote Control
Information: Examples:
# Remote controls are used to control other devices using infra-red signals.

# Buttons on the remote control can be used to perform functions such as:

Changing the channel on a T.V

Increasing/Decreasing the volume on a music player
Selecting a different chapter on a DVD player

Uses of Remote Controls:

# Home entertainment systems use remote controls. Examples are:

1. Hi-Fi systems (music centers).

A satellite T.V remote control with buttons to
2. DVD / Blu-ray Players. control the channel, volume and many more.

3. Satellite systems.

4. Some overhead projectors (like ours in the classroom).

# Industry uses remote controls to operate machinery that might to too dangerous to get
near to. Examples include:

1. Cranes with heavy loads. 2. Activating explosives in demolition.

3. Operating robot arms in hazardous

chemical plants.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Remote Controls:

A man using a remote control to operate a crane.
Advantages Disadvantages

Devices can be operated without having to People with limited hand movement can
go to them. This is useful for people with find them difficult to use.
disabilities.

They can operate devices that are in an The infra-red signal between the remote
unsafe environment. control and the device it operates can
become blocked.
For example: Explosives to demolish a
building can be set off at a safe distance.

Joysticks
Information: Examples:
# Joysticks have similar functions to that of mice and trackerballs...... to control a pointer on
a screen.

# There are two main parts to a joystick:

Handle / Allows us to move a pointer in the direction we want.

Stick -
 Buttons - Allow us to select options or 'click stuff'.

# Joysticks are also popular devices for gaming. The handle allows gamers to control on-
screen characters and the buttons are used for things like firing weapons.

Uses of Joysticks:
# They can control characters or objects in video games. A standard joystick with a control stick/handle,
buttons for selecting options and a 'fire' button
# Can control industrial machinery (cranes for example) for gaming.

# They are used in simulators. For example flight simulators use joysticks in order for
trainee pilots to control the simulated plane.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Joysticks:

Advantages Disadvantages

Easier to control an on-screen curser or Not as easy to control an on-screen curser

move an in-game character than it is when when compared to using a mouse.
using a keyboard.

Very simple to get used to. People with hand/wrist issues (like RSI) Joysticks used to operate a crane.
can find them painful to use.
Anyone can just pick one up and use it!

Can be used by disabled people. Joysticks Difficult (but not impossible) to enter text.
can be operated by hands or even feet.
For example: some games allow you to
select individual letters using the joystick in
order to spell out your name when entering
a high score.

Joysticks are also used to mimic real-life flight

conditions on flight simulators.

Touch Screens
Information:
Examples:
# Touch screens allow users to input commands into a computer by pressing or
touching buttons/icons on the screen.

# Giving users this ability to touch or press icons on the screen removes the need to use a
mouse.

# Touch screens are more suitable for use with a limited amount of options.

Uses of Touch Screens:

# Common uses of touch screens include: A touch screen with 'pressable' options.

1. Mobile phones and PDA's use touch screens as a way of saving space (a
separate keyboard would make the devices quite large).

2. Public information systems at airports or tourist information offices.

3. Interactive whiteboards in schools.

4. On-screen multiple choice tests (like driving theory tests) sometimes use touch
screens.

Modern mobile phones use touch screens to

reduce the size of the device.
Advantages/Disadvantages of Touch Screens:

Advantages Disadvantages

Very fast and easy to enter options (you Limited number of options available on
just press them). the screen.

No training needed in order for people to Expensive compared to other input devices.
 be able to use them. All people do is press
the correct option. Screen can become dirty and full of germs
due to people touching it.

School classrooms use special touch screens called

'Interactive Whiteboards'.

Scanners
Information: Examples:
# Scanners are used to enter information on paper (hard copies) into a computer.

Scanners can convert hard copies (printed documents, photographs etc) into digital
data. This digital data can then be stored and manipulated on your computer.

# Scanners reflect light off the hard copy in order to capture an analogue image of the
document. The scanner then converts the received analogue data into a digital
format.

# Once the hard copy has been converted to digital data, it can be stored on a computer Earlier scanners, like the Sharp JX-450, could only
and manipulated using Graphics Editing Software (such as Photoshop). scan documents in low-resolution (image quality lost).

Uses of Scanners:
# Used to scan hard copy / printed documents into a computer:

# Old photos and important documents (like birth certificates) can be scanned into the
computer. This means you still have a copy if the original is damaged or lost.

Modern scanners are capable of scanning documents

and images in much higher resolution. This means
that digital copies are closer to the original quality.

Scanners are used to convert analogue hard copies of documents and photos in digital data.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Scanners:
Some scanners are 'hand held' which means the user
physically moves the scanner across the image in
Advantages Disadvantages order to send a copy to a computer.

Very fast to enter hard copies into the Scanned images are usually of lesser
computer (compared to retyping with a quality than the original document.
keyboard).

Very easy to scan and store documents and Scanned images can take up a lot of disk
images into the computer. space (especially if you scan them at a high
resolution).
Digital copies of the stored data can easily
be duplicated and backed up.

Old photo's that may be damaged can be

scanned into the computer then repaired
using Graphics Editing Software.

Graphics Tablet
Information: Examples:
# Graphics tablets are used by artists and designers to easily create and store digital
 graphics in a computer.

# A graphics tablet can be drawn on with a special pen called a 'stylus'.

# Whatever is drawn onto the tablet can be seen on a computer screen.

It is really just the same as drawing on paper but the final image is digital.
A graphics tablet with a stylus pen .

# Anything drawn onto the tablet can be saved into the computer as images.

Once images are saved into the computer, they can be edited using graphics editing
software.

Uses of Graphics Tablets:

# Allow designers to produce digital images much more accurately than if they were using
Graphics tablets can be used to accurately 'draw'
a mouse.
illustrations, symbols and diagrams.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Graphic Tablets:

Advantages Disadvantages

Much easier to draw images using a pen Very expensive when compared to a
than it is to draw them using a mouse. mouse.

Very accurate drawings can be produced. Not useful for some input needs.

Stylus pens make it better for the artist to For example - graphics tablets are not
capture fine detail than they could using a designed for entering data into the computer
A high-end illustration of a car produced using a
mouse. by clicking icons or menus.
graphic tablet.

Useful in countries where drawings and

symbols are used instead of text (like China
and Japan).

Light Pens
Information: Examples:
# Light pens are quite old technology and can be used as alternatives to mice, touch
screens or graphics tablets.
# Light pens are used by directly drawing or selecting icons on a computer screen.

Note: Currently light pens can currently only be used with CRT (cathode ray tube)
monitors.

# They work by picking up light from the computer screen and then signaling to the
computer exactly where the light was picked up. This allows the computer to 'draw' on the
part of the screen where the pen picked up the light.

Uses of Light Pens:

Light pens can replace mice and touch screen for
# Used for selecting objects on a CRT screen. selecting items on a CRT screen.

For example: replacing a mouse or touch screen clicking/touching icons.

# Used for directly drawing onto a CRT screen.

For example: replacing a graphics tablet to produce hand-drawn designs.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Light Pens:

Light pens can be used to produce drawings directly
Advantages Disadvantages on a CRT screen.

More accurate than touch screens. Not as accurate as a graphics tablet when
used for producing drawings.
(end of the pen is much thinner than a
finger and so can accurately select small
icons)
 They are very small and so can be used Can only be used with CRT (cathode ray
where there is no room for a mouse or tube) screens.
graphics tablet.
(not usable with TFT or LCD screens)

Can be quite uncomfortable to use as you

have to hold your hand raised up to the
computer screen for long periods.

Light pens only currently work with CRT Screens

(the fat ones) .

Microphones
Information: Examples:
# Microphones are used to input analogue sounds into a digital computer.

1. Sounds exist in the form of sound waves

(analogue signals that change slowly).

2. Computers understand digital data and not

analogue.

For example: computers understand combinations

of 0's and 1's.

3. The job of the microphone is to input analogue

sound signals into the computer where the sound
card will convert analogue sound into digital (in
other words the sound card will 'digitize' the Microphones are used to input sound into a
analogue sound into 1's and 0's) computer.

Note: the sound card acts as an ADC (analogue to

digital converter).

4. Once digitized, the sounds can be stored and used

by the computer.

Uses of Microphones:
# Used to input sounds/speech for use in a range of applications. For example:

Narration (spoken words) in presentations or in web sites Microphones can be used to hold voice conversations
over the Internet (like using Skype).
Voice-over's in movies
Speaking over the Internet using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
An example of this would be using Skype to hold an online conversation
Conducting videoconferencing (e.g. business meetings online).

# Used in voice recognition software. For example:

Converting speech into text for use in word processors (useful for people who do
not have use of their hands)
Issuing commands (e.g. some cars allow for speech to activate certain features like
'starting the engine' or 'altering radio volume').

# Hands-Free mobile phones use a microphone to allow people to hold conversations

without using their hands (this makes driving much safer). Microphones are used on hands-free mobile phone
kits to make driving safer.

# Used (along with headphones) in gaming so that gamers can talk to each other.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Microphones:

Advantages Disadvantages

Faster to read in text than to type it in Sound files can take up a lot of computer
using a keyboard . storage space.

Means that word processors can be used by Speaking words into a word processor is not
people who cannot use their hands. Words as accurate as typing. This means that
are simply spoken into the software mistakes are common with words that sound
Gamers use microphones to communicate
instead of typed. the same but have different meanings. instructions to each other in-game .

For example: 'see' and 'sea'.

Makes driving safer because people do not Background noise can interfere with
need to take their hands off the steering voice recognition systems.
 wheel in order to use their mobile phone.

Microphones are very cheap to buy.

Digital Cameras
Information: Examples:
# Have pretty much replaced the old style film-based cameras.

# Digital cameras store digital photographs on a memory card and these images can
easily be transferred onto a computer for viewing or editing.

# Most digital cameras have a built-in screen to allow for previewing the digital
photograph. This is useful so that the photographer can decide which images to keep and
which to delete.
An old film-based camera .
# Digital camera image quality is measured in 'Megapixels'. These are the number of dots
that make up the image. Generally speaking, the higher the Megapixels, the higher the
detail quality of the image.

3 Megapixel cameras produce images made up of 3 Million pixels (dots).

24 Megapixel cameras produce images made up of 24 Million dots (8 times more detail)

# Most digital cameras can also capture video and sound as well as images.

# Almost all modern mobile phones have a built-in digital camera.

A modern digital camera with preview screen.

Uses of Digital Cameras:

# Used to capture digital images for uses such as:

Saving special moments (weddings, birthdays, family snaps etc)

Gathering images for use in presentations, web pages or publications
(newspapers and magazines etc)

# Easy to transfer images to a computer for editing.

For example: using PhotoShop to alter brightness or contrast Traditional photographs were stored on reels of film .

# Images can be printed easily by:

Uploading to a computer and then printing

Connecting directly to a photo-printer and printing straight from the camera
(no need to upload to a computer)

# Most digital cameras also allow for short, high-quality video clips to be produced.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Digital Cameras:

Digital photographs are stored on memory cards.
Advantages Disadvantages

No film to develop. This means that Camera user needs to have computer
producing the photo is much quicker. skills to be able to transfer and print digital
photographs.

Unwanted images can easily be deleted Not all digital cameras produce images as
from the memory card. high-quality as traditional cameras.

Because the images are digital it is easy to Artistry of traditional photography is being
make copies of them. lost.

No need to print at all because the images Traditional photography was much more difficult to
Camera software can automatically
can be viewed a computer screen. This master. Much thought had to go into capturing
correct 'bad images' making photography quality photographs.
saves paper and is better for the easier to master without as much skill.
environment. Digital photographs are run-through software which
People using traditional 'film-cameras' had does most of the hard work for us and makes it
Memory cards can store thousands of harder to produce bad images.
to take much more care to capture each
digital photographs. Traditional image perfectly.
photographs can take up a lot of physical
storage space.

Digital images can easily be transferred

using blutooth, email attachments and
mobile phones.
 Digital images can be improved and
edited easily using software (sharpening
the image for example)

Web Cameras (web cams)

Information:
Examples:
# Web cameras are similar to digital cameras in their function but they are directly
connected to a computer and do not have memory storage.

# Web cameras can capture both digital images and video.

# Images / video are sent directly to the computer where they can be stored and used.

These digital images and video are often added to presentations, web sites and other
publications.

YouTube channels sometimes use web cams to capture the content of the channel.
This is usually a presenter giving out information about whatever topic the channel is
about.
A web cam attached to a computer monitor.

# Many modern computing devices (such as laptops) come with built-in web cams.

Uses of Web Cameras:

# Used to conduct face-to-face conversations with friends and family online over VoIP
applications such as Skype.

A similar use is to conduct face-to-face job interviews over the Internet. This
removes the need for job applicants to travel very large distances to attend the interview.

Web cams allow long distance face-to-face interviews

# Used to hold video-conferencing meetings over the Internet. to take place.

# Can capture image and video content for presentations, web sites and even YouTube
content.

# Web Cameras are sometimes used by parents to keep an eye on their children when
they are in another room.

# Some people use web cams as a cheap alternative to security cameras.

# Sometimes used to allow drivers to view the traffic conditions on roads.

This allows the driver to plan a different route if the traffic on a road is too congested.

Web cams allow elderly people to hold face-to-face

Advantages/Disadvantages of Web Cameras: conversations with relatives.

Advantages Disadvantages

Allow for long-distance face-to-face The image/video quality can sometimes

conversations. This removes the need for be poor (low resolution).
people to travel.

(especially useful for elderly and disabled

people to keep in touch with family)

Video conference business meetings They do not have their own storage and so
and job interviews can be conducted very must be permanently fixed to the
cheaply over long distances. computing device.
Traffic cams allow drivers to avoid heavy traffic.
(no need for expensive travel or bookings of
hotel rooms to attend the meeting or
interview)

Parents can keep an eye on their children Are usually in a fixed position and so
from a different location. cannot be easily moved around.

Web cams can be left running constantly

which makes them useful as security
devices on properties.
 CRT Monitor TFT Monitor Laser Printer Inkjet Printer REMEMBER!
Output devices send
processed information OUT
of a computer.

NOTE:
Click the images to the left
to move to more
Dot Matrix Printer Plotter Speakers Multimedia Projector information about each one.

Breakdown of each output device:

# The following sections will help summarise each of the manual input devices. For each one you will see:

Information about the device

Uses of the device
Advantages of the device
Disadvantages of the device

CRT Monitor (cathode ray tube)

Information:
Examples:
# CRT stands for 'cathode ray tube'.

# These are the old, bulky, heavy monitors that are still in use today (although being used
less and less).

# These are the least expensive types of monitor.

# CRT’s are becoming rare as TFT monitors are replacing them.

Note: TFT's are replacing CRT's largely because they produce a higher quality
screen image and take up far less space.

# CRT's produce an image (Made up of tiny dots) by

firing Electron Beams against a Phosphor Screen
CRT monitors are very bulky and take up
a lot of desk space.
Each dot is coloured Red, Green or Blue of different
intensities which produces a vast amount of different
colours.

Note:
These dots combine to create millions of
different colour shades.

(just like when you mix colours in art)

Light pens can be used with CRT's to produce

Uses of a CRT Monitors: drawings and designs directly onto the screen.

# CRT Monitors allow users to instantly see outputs from the computer.

For example - Users would be able to see words they are typing into word processors.

Users could also see changes that they are making to an image in
graphics editors (like Photoshop)

# CRT's are also used with light pens to allow drawings to be created on screen.

Advantages/Disadvantages of CRT Monitors:

Screen glare can be a problem with CRT's.

Advantages Disadvantages
 Can be used with light pens to create They are very large and bulky which
drawings on screen. means they take up large amounts of desk
space.
Note: light pens and CRT's are also used
with CAD software (computer aided design). Note: their large size and weight also make
them difficult (and dangerous) to move.

Produce a larger range of colours than They create a lot of heat and have been
TFT monitors. known to cause fires.

The screen angle is better than with TFT's. Screen glare when in direct light makes
viewing difficult.
(you do not have to stand directly in front of
the CRT screen in order to see what is on it) Note: they are also prone to 'screen
flicker' which can cause headaches and eye CRT monitors can get very hot.
strain.

Cheaper to buy than TFT screens. They also need more power than TFT's to
operate (more expensive to run).

TFT Monitors (thin film transistor)

Information:
Examples:
# TFT stands for 'thin film resistor'.

# These are thin flat screened monitors that are commonly seen today.

# As they become cheaper, these have taken over from CRT monitors as the most popular
computer screens.

# TFT's are used with the newer desktop PC's, laptops and mobile phones.

# TFT screens are made up of thousands of

tiny pixels. Each pixel has 3 transistors -
red, green and blue and each transistor can
TFT monitors are much thinner than CRT's.
produce different intensities.

This allows huge amounts of colours to

be produced (16.7 million).

A back light is used to shine light onto these

pixels in order for the colours to be produced.

In order to light a single pixel, tiny windows

can be opened and closed to allow the light
to pass through and onto the pixel.

TFT screens are light and are perfect as displays for

portable devices such as laptops.
Uses of TFT Monitors:
# TFT Monitors allow users to instantly see outputs from the computer.

# They are used as screens in laptops and also mobile phones.

Their thin and light design helps the laptop remain portable
(light and easy to transport)

Advantages/Disadvantages of TFT Monitors:

Advantages Disadvantages
TFT's are also used as displays in mobile phones.
Lightweight so they are perfect for Images can appear unclear when viewed
portable laptops and wall mounting. from an angle.

They are very thin and do not take up as (you need to look straight at the screen for
much desk space as a CRT monitor. the best image)

They produce much less glare than CRT’s Lower picture quality (definition)
and so are friendly to the eye. compared to a CRT monitor.

They use less power than CRT monitors Cannot be used with Light Pens yet.
(cheaper to run).
(Computer Aided Drawings are not yet
 possible on TFT monitors)
They emit less radiation than CRT
monitors.

They produce less heat than CRT's.

Their lightweight makes TFT's easy to

mount on walls.

Laser Printer
Information:
Examples:
# These produce high quality hard copy outputs (on paper) .

# Laser printers use Toner pressed on a page to produce printed documents.

# They can print large amounts of pages at a very quick rate.

# You can buy both black and white and colour laser printers.

# They use a buffer memory which stores the information for the whole document before
the pages can be printed out.

For example: Once you press print, the document is sent to the printers memory Laser printers are popular for environments that
(RAM) and stored there. The printer will then output whatever is in the require fast high-quality printouts.
memory when it is ready to do so.

Think of the Buffer Memory as a kind of waiting room

# Laser printers work by using a laser beam to

'draw' onto a drum.

The laser leaves a positive electric

charge on the drum in the places where it
drew.

Laser printers can handle very large

A special power known as 'toner' is sprayed print jobs.
onto the drum and it sticks to the parts that
contain the positive electric charge.

The drum is then pressed onto a sheet of

paper and the paper is heated (fused) so that
the toner is bound to the paper.

Uses of Laser Printers:

# Very useful for printing where noise levels need to be kept low (Like in an office where
people need to concentrate or use telephones etc).

# Good at producing high quality printouts very fast.

# Good for environments where high volume of printing is required (lots of printouts).
Colour laser printers are expensive to buy and run.
This is because they have a low printing cost per page.

Their fast printing speed /low printing cost per page makes them the printer of
choice on networks. This is because they need to be able to keep up with the printing
demands of many computers.

Popular with:

Schools
Businesses
Offices.
Toner cartridge (these contain toner power).

Advantages/Disadvantages of Laser Printers:

 Advantages Disadvantages

Very fast at printing documents. Environmentally unfriendly (produce ozone).

They also use more power than inkjets.

Toner cartridges last a long time and don't need to be replaced Laser printers are more expensive to buy (but cheap to run).
often.

Laser printers can handle high volumes of printing. Colour laser printers are much more expensive to buy and run
than inkjets.

Very quiet when printing. They are larger in size compared to other types of printers.

Very high quality printouts.

Reliable - don't breakdown as easily as inkjet printers.

Cheaper to run than inkjets (low cost per page).

Inkjet Printer
Information: Examples:
# These are used to produce high quality hard copies (on paper).

# Although the quality of Inkjet printouts is not as good as Laser printers, it is far better
than Dot Matrix printers.

# Ink is stored in and delivered to the paper via an ink cartridge.

# Inkjet's can print in both black and white and colour.

# Inkjet printers have small amounts of internal memory (RAM) to store print jobs so
printing is done a bit at a time. Inkjets can produce photo-quality
colour printouts.

The whole document cannot be stored in printer’s RAM so there is often a pause while
the computer sends the rest of the data

# Inkjet printers work by spraying ink onto a

page of paper.

The ink is held in 'ink cartridges' and there

are 4 different colours - black, cyan, Inkjets require 4 separate ink cartridges -
magenta and yellow. Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow.

These mix to form a vast amount of

other colours.

Motors are used to position the ink

cartridges over the correct position of the Click image to zoom
page and to drag the paper through the
printer.

Inkjet printouts will smudge if not left to dry

Uses of Inkjet Printers: before handling.

# Good where few printouts are needed (low volume).

# Ideal for single-page, very high quality printing. (Photo quality images).

# Often used to print photographs.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Inkjet Printers:

Advantages Disadvantages

Output is very high quality (Especially good for colour Slow printing rates, especially if several copies are needed.
photograph printing).

Much cheaper to buy than laser printers. Ink cartridges don’t last long and so are not suitable for large
print jobs.

Smaller than laser printers so take up less space. They can be expensive to run as new ink cartridges are not
cheap to buy.
 Do not produce ozone or other harmful compounds. Printouts can easily smudge if document is not left to dry
properly.
Very quiet whilst printing.

Dot Matrix Printer

Information: Examples:
# Often called an ‘Impact Printer’ where pins are pressed against an inked ribbon which
produces an imprint on paper.

# They are very slow, noisy and produce poor quality outputs (click here for video).

# Are still useful where ‘Continuous Paper’ needs to be used. For example, printing off all
of a business's employee payslips.

Continuous paper is the name given to hundreds of sheets of paper that are joined
together and 'continuously' fed through the printer.
Dot matrix printers are noisy and slow.
The paper sheets can be separated after printing is complete.

# Dot matrix printers are still used in environments where print speed and noise is not
an issue (like in car garages and factories).

# These printers work by using a set of pins to press

an inked ribbon against paper.

When the pin/ribbon hits the paper a printed dot

is left behind.

The dots can be arranged to form basic text and

images.

Dot matrix printers use ink ribbons.

Different coloured ink ribbons can be used to
produce colour printouts.

Uses of Dot Matrix Printers:

# Dot matrix printers are very robust and can be used in noisy and dirty environments
(like garages and warehouses).

# Can make ‘Carbon Copies’ of a document using special ‘Carbon Paper’ underneath
normal printer paper.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Dot Matrix Printers:

Advantages Disadvantages
Dot matrix printout quality is very low.
Work just fine in dusty and dirty Very noisy so not suitable for an office
environments where laser or inkjet environment
printers could easily be damaged.

Carbon copies can be produced using Very slow to print (slowest of all the types
carbonated paper. of printers)

Very cheap to buy and maintain. Very poor print quality.

(Inked ribbons are very cheap)

Good for continuous printing. Dot matrix printouts are made up of arranged dots.

(e.g. long print jobs like wage slips)

Plotter
Information: Examples:
# There are 2 different types of plotters --- drum and flatbed.
# Produce hard copies but are capable of printing on very large pieces of paper (e.g. 3
foot wide by 10 foot long).

# The print quality of plotters in very high.

# Plotters can also produce very large and accurate documents such as blueprints
(plans) for buildings

# Plotters draw images on the page using coloured pens which are moved around the
paper by a computer.

Uses of Plotters:
# Used to produce large, accurate drawings. Some examples are listed below:
A drum plotter.
Blueprints of buildings (plans/designs)
Maps
Giant posters and adverts (like those we see on billboards).

# Pens can be replaced with cutting tools to produce large signs.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Plotters:

Advantages Disadvantages

They can produce much larger printouts Their print times are very slow.
than other printers. A flatbed plotter.

The print quality is extremely high. They are very expensive to buy and
maintain.
Plotters can also 'cut out' designs for use in
sign making.

Plotters can produce very large printouts like those

seen on advertising boards.

Speakers
Information: Examples:
# Many everyday uses of a computer require the user to listen to different types of sounds.
For example:

Listening to a music album

Watching a movie.
Browsing videos on YouTube
Multimedia encyclopedias.

In order for the computer to output these sounds it requires some sort
of speaker system!

# Speakers can be connected directly to a computer or are built into the monitor or casing. Speakers allow us to listen to sound coming out
of a computer system.

Note: Most computers have small built in speakers to alert users when they do
something wrong but these can only produce very basic sounds like 'beeps'.

# Speakers are analogue and cannot output digital

'computerised' sounds.

Digital data from the computer must first be

converted into analogue sound using a sound
card.
E-Book readers (like the Amazon Kindle) have
special software called 'screen readers' that can
The analogue sound can then be output via the
narrate the words on the screen.
speakers and we can listen to it.

Speakers can also be used to alter the

volume of the sounds.