INFORMATION SHEET 1.1.

Storage, Input and Output Devices

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, STUDENT(S) MUST be able to:

1. identify the output and input device

2. explain, elaborate and classify the different computer peripherals and its
components

INTRODUCTION
A peripheral is a piece of computer hardware that is added to a computer
in order to expand its abilities. The term peripheral is used to describe those
devices that are optional in nature, as opposed to hardware that is either
demanded or always required in principle. There are all different kinds of
peripherals you can add your computer. The main distinction among
peripherals is the way they are connected to your computer. They can be
connected internally or externally.
A computer peripheral is any external device that provides either input or
output. Peripherals typically fall into the hardware category and include
optional system components.

Computer peripherals are add-on hardware to the computer to expand

its abilities or improve its performance. By adding memory, computers are able
to perform a lot better, or by adding video cards, the computers graphics create
more detail. These are just some of the peripherals, although there is a lot more
you can put on your PC some of them may not be compatible.
Compatibility maybe an issue to some of the peripherals and may even
cause the worst outcome –the PC refuses to boot or the PC refuses to recognize
the peripheral being added. The easiest way to solve that would be figuring out
where it started and you can start from there.
Technically, every piece of hardware inside your PC requires a driver to
communicate and function with the operating system, the software
applications, and other hardware components in your computer.

Developed by
Document No.
Install and configure Version
computer systems
Learning Outcome ISMAEL MANIC BALANA 1.1.2019 Page
www.facebook.com/itsmeismael 1
09464485036
Revision # 01
INPUT DEVICE

In computing, an input device is any peripheral (piece of computer

hardware equipment) used to provide data and control signals to an information
processing system such as a computer or other information appliance.
Examples of input devices include keyboards, mouse, scanners, digital
cameras and joysticks.
Many input devices can be classified according to:
• modality of input (e.g. mechanical motion, audio, visual, etc.)
• the input is discrete (e.g. key presses) or continuous (e.g. a mouse's
position, though digitized into a discrete quantity, is fast enough to be
considered continuous)
• the number of degrees of freedom involved (e.g. two-dimensional
traditional mice, or three-dimensional navigators designed
for CAD applications)
Pointing devices, which are input devices used to specify a position in
space, can further be classified according to:
Whether the input is direct or indirect. With direct input, the input space
coincides with the display space, i.e. pointing is done in the space where visual
feedback or the pointer appears. Touchscreens and light pens involve direct
input. Examples involving indirect input include the mouse and trackball.
Whether the positional information is absolute (e.g. on a touch screen) or
relative (e.g. with a mouse that can be lifted and repositioned)
Commonly used input devices

• A 'keyboard' is a human interface device which is represented as a

layout of buttons. Each button, or key, can be
used to either input a linguistic
character to a computer, or to call upon a
particular function of the computer.
Traditional keyboards use spring-based buttons, though newer
variations employ virtual keys, or even projected keyboards.
o A pointing device is any human
interface device that allows a user
to input spatial data to a computer.
In the case of mice and touchpads,
this is usually achieved by
detecting movement across a
physical surface.

Developed by
Document No.
Install and configure Version
computer systems
Learning Outcome ISMAEL MANIC BALANA 1.1.2019 Page
www.facebook.com/itsmeismael 2
09464485036
Revision # 01
• Audio input devices
In the fashion of video devices, audio devices are used to either capture
or create sound. In some cases, an audio output device can be used as
an input device, in order to capture produced sound.
o Microphones
o MIDI keyboard or other digital musical instrument

• Image and Video input devices are used to digitize images or video from
the outside world into the computer. The information can be stored in a
multitude of formats depending on the user's requirement.

o Digital camera
o Digital camcorder
o Webcam
o Microsoft Kinect Sensor
o Image scanner
o Fingerprint scanner
o Barcode reader
o 3D scanner
o Laser rangefinder

Developed by
Document No.
Install and configure Version
computer systems
Learning Outcome ISMAEL MANIC BALANA 1.1.2019 Page
www.facebook.com/itsmeismael 3
09464485036
Revision # 01
OUTPUT DEVICE

An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to

communicate the results of data processing carried out by an information
processing system (such as a computer) which converts the electronically
generated information into human-readable form.

A display device is an output device that visually conveys text, graphics, and
video information. Information shown on a display device is called soft
copy because the information exists electronically and is displayed for a
temporary period of time. Display devices include CRT monitors, LCD monitors
and displays, gas plasma monitors, and televisions.
The following are also examples of input devices

• Speakers – an output device that produce sounds

• Headphones – it is an output device use to listen sounds in a single mode
function. Normally used for a single person who do not want to interrupt
in specific area with annoying noise. E.g. public places.
• Screen (Monitor)

• Printer
• Voice output communication aid
• Automotive navigation system

• Braille embosser
• Projector

Developed by
Document No.
Install and configure Version
computer systems
Learning Outcome ISMAEL MANIC BALANA 1.1.2019 Page
www.facebook.com/itsmeismael 4
09464485036
Revision # 01
 • Plotter

• Television
• Radio

• Punched card input/output

STORAGE DEVICE
What are storage devices?
A storage, storage media, or storage medium, a storage device is a hardware
device capable of holding information. The computer has many types of data
storage devices. Some of them can be classified as the removable data Storage
Devices and the others as the non-removable data Storage Devices.

Primary Storage

is also known as main storage or memory, is the main area in a computer in

which data is stored for quick access by the computer's processor.

Secondary Storage
Referred to as external memory and secondary storage is a storage medium that
holds information until it is deleted or overwritten regardless if the computer

Developed by
Document No.
Install and configure Version
computer systems
Learning Outcome ISMAEL MANIC BALANA 1.1.2019 Page
www.facebook.com/itsmeismael 5
09464485036
Revision # 01
has power. It refers to storage devices and storage media that are not always
directly accessible by a computer. This differs from primary storage technology,
such as an internal hard drive, which is constantly available.

Hard disk drive vs. Solid state drive

Meanwhile, a hard drive uses a mechanical arm with a read/write head
to move around and read information from the right location on a storage
platter. This difference is what makes SSD so much faster. As an
analogy, what’s quicker? Having to walk across the room to retrieve a
book to get information or simply magically having that book open in
front of you when you need it? That’s how an HDD compares to an SSD;
it simply requires more physical labor (mechanical movement) to get
information.

Developed by
Document No.
Install and configure Version
computer systems
Learning Outcome ISMAEL MANIC BALANA 1.1.2019 Page
www.facebook.com/itsmeismael 6
09464485036
Revision # 01
 Developed by
Document No.
Install and configure Version
computer systems
Learning Outcome ISMAEL MANIC BALANA 1.1.2019 Page
www.facebook.com/itsmeismael 7
09464485036
Revision # 01
 Solid State Drive

Hard Disk Drive

http://www.storagereview.com/ssd_vs_hdd
To aid you even more, here are some rules to follow when you
decide which drive is best for you:
If:
• You need lots of storage capacity, up to more TB
• Don’t want to spend much money
• Don’t care too much about how fast a computer boots up or opens
programs - then get a hard drive (HDD).

If:
• You are willing to pay for faster performance
• Don’t mind limited storage capacity or can work around that -
then get a solid-state drive (SSD).

Developed by
Document No.
Install and configure Version
computer systems
Learning Outcome ISMAEL MANIC BALANA 1.1.2019 Page
www.facebook.com/itsmeismael 8
09464485036
Revision # 01
ODD (Optical Disc Drive)

• CDs tend to be used for large files (but smaller than 1Gb) which
are too big for a floppy disc to hold such as music and general
animation.
• DVDs are used to hold very large files (several Gb) such as movie
films. Both CDs and DVDs are portable i.e. they can be
transported from one computer to another. Both can be used to
store computer data.
• CD ROM/DVD ROM Applications which require the prevention of
deletion of data, accidental or otherwise. CDs used by software
companies for distributing software programs and data.
• CD R/DVD R Applications which require a single
‘burning’ of data, e.g. CDs - recording of
music downloads from the Internet,
recording of music from MP3 format,
recording of data for archiving or
backup purposes. DVDs – recording of
film movies and television programs.
• CD RW/DVD RW Applications
which require the updating of information and
ability to record over old data. Not suitable for music recording but
is very useful for keeping generations of files. DVDs have between
five and ten times the capacity of CDs.

USB flash drives are typically removable and rewritable,

much smaller than a floppy disk. Storage capacities
typically range from 64 MB to 64 GB. USB flash
drives offer potential advantages over other
portable storage devices, particularly the
floppy disk.

They have a more compact shape, operate faster,

hold much more data, have a more durable design, and
operate more reliably due to their lack of moving parts. Flash drives are
widely used to transport files and backup data from computer to
computer.

Developed by
Document No.
Install and configure Version
computer systems
Learning Outcome ISMAEL MANIC BALANA 1.1.2019 Page
www.facebook.com/itsmeismael 9
09464485036
Revision # 01
Flash memory cards
A memory card or flash memory card is a solid-state electronic flash
memory data storage device used with digital cameras, handheld and
Tablet/Mobile computers, music players, video game consoles, and other
electronics.

External/Portable hard disk are good fun because you can carry data
about all over the place and transfer information, programs, pictures,
etc. between computers.

Nowadays, most new PCs have built-in slots for a variety of memory
cards; Memory Stick, CompactFlash, SD, etc. Some digital gadgets
support more than one memory card to ensure compatibility.

Developed by
Document No.
Install and configure Version
computer systems
Learning Outcome ISMAEL MANIC BALANA 1.1.2019 Page
www.facebook.com/itsmeismael 10
09464485036
Revision # 01
Cloud Storage
It is a model of networked storage where data is stored not in the user's
computer, but in virtualized pools of storage which are usually hosted by third
parties.

• OneDrive formerly SkyDrive is a file hosting service that allows users

to upload and sync files to cloud storage and then access them from a
Web browser or their local device.

• Dropbox is a cloud storage service that lets you easily store and share
files with other people, and it lets you access your files from a mobile
device as well.

• Evernote lets you type notes, clip web pages, take photos, and
organize all of them from your computer or mobile device.

Developed by
Document No.
Install and configure Version
computer systems
Learning Outcome ISMAEL MANIC BALANA 1.1.2019 Page
www.facebook.com/itsmeismael 11
09464485036
Revision # 01
 • Mozy and Carbonite can automatically back up your data in case
your computer is lost, stolen, or damaged.

• Google Drive - is a cloud storage service that owned by Google, Inc.

lets you save and retrieve files anytime, anywhere

Network-attached storage (NAS) is file-level computer data storage connected

to a computer network providing data access to a heterogeneous group of
clients.

Developed by
Document No.
Install and configure Version
computer systems
Learning Outcome ISMAEL MANIC BALANA 1.1.2019 Page
www.facebook.com/itsmeismael 12
09464485036
Revision # 01
 SELF CHECK 1.1.5
IDENTIFICATION

1.________________________________a hardware device capable of holding

information.
2._________________________________ is any piece of computer
hardware equipment used to communicate the results of data
processing carried out by an information processing system (such as
a computer) which converts the electronically generated information into
human-readable form.
3._________________________________ is the primary storage device.

4. ________________________________ are typically removable and rewritable,

much smaller than a floppy disk. Storage capacities typically range from 64 MB
to 64 GB.

5._________________________________ is a model of networked enterprise storage

where data is stored not in the user's computer, but in virtualized pools of
storage which are generally hosted by third parties.
ENUMERATION
1. Give 5 examples of output devices
2. Give 5 examples of input devices
TRUE OR FALSE: Write T if the statement is TRUE and write F if the statement
is FALSE
1. Monitor is an output device_________________________
2. Keyboard is an input device_____________________
3. Flash drive is an input device____________________
4. Cloud storage is an output device________________
5. Memory is secondary storage___________________

Developed by
Document No.
Install and configure Version
computer systems
Learning Outcome ISMAEL MANIC BALANA 1.1.2019 Page
www.facebook.com/itsmeismael 13
09464485036
Revision # 01
 ANSWER KEY 1.1.5

IDENTIFICATION
1. Storage device a hardware device capable of holding information.

2. Output devices is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to

communicate the results of data processing carried out by an information
processing system (such as a computer) which converts the electronically
generated information into human-readable form.

3. Memory/RAM is the primary storage device.

4. Flash Drive are typically removable and rewritable, much smaller than a
floppy disk. Storage capacities typically range from 64 MB to 64 GB.

5. Cloud Storage is a model of networked enterprise storage where data is

stored not in the user's computer, but in virtualized pools of storage which are
generally hosted by third parties.

ENUMERATION
3. Give 5 examples of output devices
a. Printer, monitor, projector, speaker, earphone
4. Give 5 examples of input devices
a. scanner, finger print scanner, microphone, keyboard, mouse,
webcam

TRUE OR FALSE: Write T if the statement is TRUE and write F if the statement
is FALSE
6. Monitor is output device T
7. Keyboard is an input device T
8. Flash drive is an input device F
9. Cloud storage is an output device F
10. Memory is secondary storage F

Developed by
Document No.
Install and configure Version
computer systems
Learning Outcome ISMAEL MANIC BALANA 1.1.2019 Page
www.facebook.com/itsmeismael 14
09464485036
Revision # 01