STRAND: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

SUB-STRAND: COMPONENTS OF COMPUTERS AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS

DATE: WEDNESDAY 9TH OCTOBER, 2024

Output Devices
An output device is any hardware that shows or outputs information from a computer to the user.

Types of Output
a) Softcopy Output: Information displayed on screens like monitors and projectors.
b) Hardcopy Output: Information produced on physical media like paper from printers.

When Softcopy Information is Useful Disadvantages of Softcopy Information

1. For temporary viewing. 1. Requires electronic devices (e.g., computers, tablets)
2. When frequent updates are required. to view.
3. Saves paper. 2. Can be difficult to read for extended periods, causing
4. Easier to distribute via digital means. eye strain.
5. Eco-friendly, reduces waste. 3. Vulnerable to cyber-attacks and data loss if not
backed up.
4. May be inaccessible without power or the right
software.
5. Can be easily altered, making it less secure for official
records.

When Hardcopy Information is Useful Disadvantages of Hardcopy Information:

1. For permanent records. 1. Consumes paper and ink, contributing to
2. No need for electronics to view. environmental waste.
3. Legal and archival purposes. 2. Takes up physical space and can be difficult to store
4. Physical documents for official long-term.
presentations. 3. Time-consuming to reproduce and distribute.
5. Used in places without digital access. 4. Once printed, it is difficult to update or modify.
5. Prone to damage from water, fire, or physical wear
and tear.

Types of Output Devices

1. Speakers convert digital sound data into audible sound. There is
internal speaker which is inbuilt inside the device and external speaker
which is connected to the sound card.
2. Headphones provides personal audio output for users converted from
digital sound data.

3. MONITORS
Monitors also known as Visual Display Unit (VDU) is used to display softcopy
information from the computer.
Properties of monitor:
a) Pixels: The smallest units of a digital image.
b) Resolution: The total number of pixels displayed on the screen, expressed as width × height.
c) Refresh Rate: The number of times per second a monitor updates its image, measured in
Hertz (Hz).
d) Aspect Ratio: The ratio of a display's width to its height (e.g., 16:9), influencing how content
is presented on the screen.
e) Primary Colors: The fundamental colors used in monitors are red, green, blue (RGB) .
f) Size: This is the diagonal measurement of a monitor's screen expressed in inches.
g) Monitors can be connected to the system unit using video graphic array (VGA) or High-
definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
Types of Monitors
There are three main types:

Cathode Ray Tube Liquid Crystal Display Light-Emitting Diode

a) Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Monitor

The monitor creates an image on the screen using electron beams that strike phosphors or
glowing dots, lighting up different parts of the screen.
Advantages: Disadvantages:
i. Inexpensive due to older technology. i. Bulky and heavy, taking up a lot of desk space.
ii. Can display deep black levels. ii. High power consumption.
iii. Capable of handling multiple resolutions iii. Low display quality compared to modern
without losing quality. monitors.
iv. Durable and lasts for a long time. iv. Emits a lot of heat.
v. Suitable for gaming with fast response v. Hard to find in the market today.
times.

b) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Monitor

It works by using liquid crystals between two glass layers. When electricity passes through, the
crystals align to control light, creating images and colors on the screen.
Advantages: Disadvantages:
i. Slim and lightweight, saving desk space. i. Poor viewing angles compared to CRT or LED.
ii. Low power consumption. ii. Not as good at displaying deep blacks.
iii. Higher display resolution and image iii. Image quality can deteriorate over time.
quality compared to CRT. iv. More delicate and prone to damage.
iv. No flickering, reducing eye strain. v. Slower response time compared to LED
v. Affordable and widely available. monitors.

c) Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Monitor

It works by using tiny light-emitting diodes for back-lighting to create images. It is the latest type
of monitor.
Advantages: Disadvantages:
i. Excellent color accuracy and brightness. i. More expensive than LCD monitors.
ii. More energy-efficient than both CRT and ii. Edge-lit models may have uneven brightness
LCD monitors. distribution.
iii. Slim design, taking up minimal space. iii. Limited to fixed native resolutions, so scaling
iv. Superior contrast, especially with full-array down may reduce quality.
backlit models. iv. Some models suffer from “light bleed” at the
v. Longer lifespan compared to LCD monitors. edges.
v. Older LED models may not support HDR or
advanced color technology.

4. PROJECTORS
They display visual output on larger surfaces, such as screens or walls to larger audiences.
Types of Projectors
There are two (2) types.

Multimedia Projector Pico Projector

a) Multimedia Projector
A multimedia projector displays the content of a computer screen directly onto a large screen so
that an audience can see the content. It typically uses Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or Digital Light
Processing (DLP) technology to project bright and clear images. It is usually stationary and suitable
for large audiences. It is versatile and supports a wide range of inputs, such as HDMI, VGA, or USB.

Advantages: Disadvantages:
i. Produces high-quality, bright images i. Bulky and not easily portable
ii. Supports a variety of input devices (laptops, ii. Requires external power and setup
DVD players, etc.) iii. Bulbs may need replacement after extensive
iii. Suitable for large rooms and events use
iv. Provides large screen sizes iv. Can be expensive
v. Versatile for various media types (videos, v. Consumes more electricity
presentations)

b) Pico Projector
Pico projectors are small, portable projectors that use LED or laser technology to project images
and videos. They are compact and easy to carry, making them ideal for small presentations or
personal use. However, they have lower brightness and image quality compared to multimedia
projectors.

Advantages: Disadvantages:
i. Lightweight and highly portable i. Lower brightness, not ideal for well-lit
ii. No need for bulb replacements. environments
iii. Easy to set up and use ii. Limited screen size and resolution
iv. Energy-efficient iii. Fewer input options
v. Affordable compared to multimedia iv. Shorter battery life for some models
projectors v. Image quality may not be suitable for larger
groups

5. PRINTERS:
They are used to produce text and graphics by transferring digital documents onto physical media.

Printer

Non-impact
Impact Printer
Printer

Braille
Daisy Wheel Dot Matrix Thermal
Embosser Inkjet Printer Laser Printer 3D Printer
Printer Printer Printer
Printer

Types of Printers
There are two main types of printers

Impact Printers
Impact printers use a mechanism that strikes paper through an ink ribbon.
Examples: Dot Matrix Printer, Daisy Wheel Printer, Line Printer, Braille Printer

Advantages: Disadvantages:
1. Durable for rough environments. 1. Noisy.
2. Can print on multi-part forms. 2. Low print quality.
3. Low maintenance costs. 3. Slower speed.
4. Reliable in tough conditions. 4. Cannot print high-quality graphics.
5. Inexpensive. 5. Requires special paper (continuous paper).
 a) Dot Matrix Printer
Dot matrix printers work by striking an inked ribbon to create
characters on paper. They are durable and can print multi-part
forms. However, they are slow, noisy, and produce lower-quality
prints compared to modern printers.
b) Daisy Wheel Printer
Daisy wheel printers use a rotating disk (similar to a daisy) with
characters that strike an ink ribbon to print letters. They
produce high-quality text but are very slow, noisy, and only
suitable for text, not graphics.
c) Line Printer
Line printers print an entire line of text at once. They are used
in large organizations where fast, high-volume text printing is
required. They are extremely fast but noisy and produce low-
quality output, mainly for printing text.
d) Braille Printer
Braille printers create raised dots on paper for visually impaired
users. They allow blind individuals to read printed material.
However, they are slow, expensive, and limited to producing
braille.

Non-Impact Printers
Non-impact printers do not physically strike the paper. They use other technologies like laser or ink to
print.
Examples: Inkjet Printers, Laser Printers, LED Printer, Solid Ink Printer, Multifunction Printer,
Thermal Printer, Wax Printer, 3D printer

Advantages: Disadvantages:
1. Quiet operation. 1. Expensive to buy and maintain.
2. High-quality printing. 2. Ink and toner costs are high.
3. Fast printing speed. 3. Needs regular maintenance.
4. Supports multiple colors. 4. Sensitive to different paper types.
5. Compact design. 5. Not durable in tough environments.

a) Inkjet Printer
Inkjet printers spray tiny droplets of ink onto paper to create
images and text. They produce high-quality photos and documents.
Advantages include affordability, but they can be slow, and ink
cartridges are expensive.
b) Laser Printer
Laser printers use a laser beam to melt toner onto paper to create
text and images. They are fast and produce high-quality text. They
are cost-effective for large printing jobs but have a higher upfront
cost and are not ideal for photos.
c) LED Printer
LED printers are similar to laser printers but use LED lights to print.
They are more reliable with fewer moving parts. However, they can
be more expensive and may not produce as good quality color
images.

d) Solid Ink Printer

Solid ink printers melt solid blocks of ink and apply them onto
paper. They produce vibrant colors and are eco-friendly. However,
they can be slow and more expensive to maintain, especially for
high-volume printing.
 e) Multifunction Printer
Multifunction printers combine printing, scanning, copying, and
faxing. They are convenient for home and office use, saving space
and cost. However, if one function breaks, it can affect the whole
machine, and they tend to be more expensive.

f) Thermal Printer
Thermal printers use heat to print on special heat-sensitive
paper. They are fast and quiet, commonly used for receipts and
labels. However, they can only print on thermal paper, and the
printouts fade over time.

g) Wax Printer
Wax printers use melted wax-based ink to print, creating vivid
colors. They are commonly used in graphic design but can be
expensive to maintain and operate. The prints are also sensitive to
heat.
h) 3D Printer
3D printers create objects layer by layer using materials like plastic.
They are used to make three-dimensional objects for industries like
healthcare and engineering. They are great for custom designs but
are expensive and slower than traditional printers.

6. PLOTTER:
It is a hardware device which prints large-scale vector graphics and draws continuous lines. It was
first invented by Remington-Rand in 1953.

TYPES OF PLOTTERS
a) Drum plotters:
They use a rotating drum and a pen to draw on paper, making them
good for long and detailed drawings. It is also known as a roller
plotter.

b) Flatbed plotters:
They have paper on a flat surface while a travelling bar moves
across the surface to create designs.

c) Electrostatic plotters:
They use electric charges to put toner on paper, making them fast
and able to create good-quality images.

d) Inkjet plotters:
They spray tiny drops of ink onto paper, producing colourful
images and text.
e) Cutting plotters:
They use a sharp blade to cut designs precisely into materials like
vinyl or paper, which makes them great for signs and crafts.