M1R5 / introduction-to-computer
Overview
Understand devices that display or present processed information from the computer, including monitors, printers, speakers, and projectors.
Output Devices
Output devices are hardware components that display, print, or transmit the processed data (information) from the computer to the user in a human-understandable format. They convert digital data into a form that we can see, hear, or feel.
Common Output Devices:
- Monitor (Visual Display Unit - VDU): The most common output device that displays text, images, and video on a screen. Types include:
- CRT (Cathode Ray Tube): Older, bulky monitors.
- LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): Thinner, more energy-efficient displays.
- LED (Light Emitting Diode): Even more energy-efficient and offer better contrast than LCDs.
- Printer: Produces a hard copy (physical printout) of digital information. Printers are broadly categorized as:
- Impact Printers: Create an image by physically striking an ink ribbon against the paper (e.g., Dot Matrix Printer). They are noisy but can print multi-part forms.
- Non-Impact Printers: Form characters and images without direct physical contact between the printing mechanism and the paper. They are quieter and produce higher quality output (e.g., Inkjet Printer, Laser Printer).
- Speakers: Produce audio output from the computer, allowing users to hear music, system sounds, and spoken words.
- Headphones/Earphones: Personal audio output devices that provide sound directly to the user's ears.
- Projector: An optical device that projects an image or video onto a large surface, like a screen or wall, for group viewing.
- Plotter: A specialized output device used to produce high-quality graphics, architectural drawings, and large-format prints using pens or inkjets.
Exam Tip: Understand the difference between hard copy and soft copy output. Be able to distinguish between impact and non-impact printers and provide examples for each.