Output and Output Devices
The objective of this topic is to provide the answers to the following questions:
x What is output?
x What are the types of output?
x What are the commonly used devices?
- Computer Output
It means taking something out from computer.
- Types of Output
In general computer output is of 2 types
- Soft copy
- Hard copy
- Forms of Output
Text, Image, Sound, Multimedia (2 or more forms are combined for example text, image, sound)
- Output devices
Printer – Print text or image being safe in computer on paper
Monitor – Output display
Speakers – Output sounds being played in computer
Multimedia projectors – Output multimedia
- Printer and its types
It is an output device that prints image or text being safe in computer. The output is hard copy.
Types of printer
1- Dot matrix
Dot is a spot of ink, whereas the matrix is a particular arrangement of dots.
It works like a typewriter and consist of pins. A pin makes a dot and combination of dots forms characters and illustrations. Printing speed of a dot matrix printer is around 300 char/sec.
Examples are Epson LQ 58 E
2- Line printer
It works like Dot matrix printer, just that it prints a complete line at a time. It contains a chain of pins that helps to print an entire line. It is superior in speed and quality. Usually a line printer prints 200 lines/min.
3- Laser printer
It produces high quality graphics by using the same technology as in photocopy machine. It prints a complete page at a time and works like a photopier. It can print upto 6 pg/min. For printing laser printers use powder ink that is available in cartridge. These printers are quite expensive.
Examples are HP laser jet 4300, Samsung ML 1710
4- Inkjet printer
It has nosals which make dots to print. Inkjet printers are low in cost.
For example Lex mark Z35 Color Inkjet printer, Epson stlys C82 Color inkjet printer
- Monitors and its types
The most familiar of all output devices is the Monitor or the Visual Display Unit (VDU). When the terms “screen” or “display” are used, we refer to the part of the monitor where the output is shown. Monitor is like TV and it output the softcopy of software and programs in computer. Like regular TV, it has some buttons as well that includes Power button and display adjustment buttons.
Monitors vary in quality of output or resolution. Resolution depends on:
- The number of pixels that can be displayed
- The number of bits used to represent each pixel
- The dot pitch of the monitor
NB: Pixels is the smallest addressable point on the screen. Most monitors can be set at a resolution ranging from 640 by 480 to 1600 by 1200.
Types of monitors
1- CRT monitors
These are cathode ray tube monitors and commonly used for personal use.
2- LCD monitors
Liquid crystal is used for the screen which is also used in scientific calculator. It got advantage over CRT monitors due to look, lightweight and compact size. These can be adjusted in less space.
Example, Sony LCD monitor
Different types of computer speakers are available in the market. These speakers work very much like regular speakers.
- Multimedia projectors
Enlarge display and sound to have it on some screen. It works like a magnifying glass. Examples Epson Powerlite 8118
Toshiba Digital Multimedia
In this topic we have learnt:
x What are Computer Output and output devices?
x Types of output
x Commonly used device e.g Printer, Monitor, Speaker
Find out the different sized that are available for
LCD monitor, CRT monitor
Economical printer is which has less running expenses as compared to others. Figure out which printer type is more economical and write its name and model.
What is meant by built in speaker?