Fundamentals of Computer

Systens: Input & Output

Devices
Lesson 03B
Input & Output
Devices
• A peripheral device is a hardware device that isn’t required for the computer to
perform its primary function.
• It can be either internal or external, though we more commonly think of external
devices when talking about peripherals.
• Most commonly when we talk about peripheral devices we are talking about
input and output devices. There are a wide variety of these that we commonly
use, with each specialising in a certain task.
• In this lesson, we’ll learn about the features of:
• Input devices
• Output devices
Input
Devices

• Input devices are used to allow us to enter information into a computer system. This might be, for example,
to control a character in a game, click on a shortcut icon on your desktop, or type data into a spreadsheet
• Some example input devices include:
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Microphone
• Webcam
• Scanner
• Graphics Tablet/Digitizer
• Sensor
Output
Devices

• Output devices are used to send data from a digital device to a user or another device.
For example, this could be so you can see the photo you’ve just taken on your digital
camera or to hear the voice of someone you’re having a VoIP conversation with.
• Some example output devices include:
• Monitor
• Printer
• Speakers
• Actuator
GPUs and their uses
Lesson Summary
So to summarise what we’ve learnt in this part of the lesson:
• Keyboards are used to input alphanumeric characters, symbols and simple commands into a computer, the only factor that affects its
performance is sensitivity
• A mouse is used to allow a user to control a cursor on the screen in order to select objects that are displayed, the only factor that affects its
performance is sensitivity
• A microphone allows a user to enter sounds into the computer system. The factors that affect its performance are sample rate and bit depth
• A webcam is used to input digital video or still pictures into a computer system, the factors that affect its performance are resolution and frame
rate
• A scanner converts documents into digital data. The factors that affect its performance are resolution and colour depth
• A digitizer allows a user to enter data much like they’re using a pen & paper, the factors that affect its performance are resolution and
sensitivity
• A sensor takes readings from the environment, the factors that affect its performance could include range
• A monitor outputs a visual display of the user interface, the factors that affect its performance are resolution and refresh rate.
• A printer is used to produce physical copies of the documents & images, the factors that affect its performance are print speed and resolution
• Speakers are used to output audio from a computer system. The main factor that affects its performance is wattage
• An actuator produces motion, the factors that affect its performance includes torque
Quiz Question 01
Which of these input devices are commonly used for
navigating a user interface?
1. Keyboard
2. Monitor
3. Mouse
4. Webcam
Quiz Question 02
By what unit do we measure the resolution of a digitizer?
1. Pixels Per Inch
2. Dots Per Inch
3. Lines Per Inch
4. Points Per Inch
Quiz Question 03
What output device is used to produce motion?
1. Sensor
2. Actuator
3. Digitizer
4. Monitor
Quiz Question 04
By what unit do we measure the refresh rate of a monitor?
1. Hertz
2. Frames Per Second
3. Pixels Per Inch
4. Watts
Quiz Question 05
Which of the following factors are used to judge the
performance of a scanner?
Choose two options
1. Resolution
2. Sensitivity
3. Bit Rate
4. Colour Depth
Quiz Question 06
Which of the following factors are used to judge the
performance of a printer?
Choose two options
1. Refresh Rate
2. Print Speed
3. Horizontal Resolution
4. Torque
Quiz Question 07
Which of the following factors are used to judge the
performance of speakers?
1. Resolution
2. Range
3. Torque
4. Wattage