Theory Notes Task: Output Devices
Make sure that you are familiar with all of the information detailed in this booklet.
There are a number of tasks for you to carry out, be sure to read the information fully
whilst completing the tasks. You could be asked about any of this in the test!
Use the theory notes in from the teach-ict.com site to help you complete this
booklet.
http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_new/computer%20systems/output_devices/miniweb/index.htm
TASK 1: OUTPUT DEVICES
Output devices let you see data that has been processed or is stored on the hard disk
or any other storage media. A monitor lets you see data on the screen, a printer
produces a paper copy that you can hold and read.
Complete the table below:
Output device
Description
Monitor
A monitor is the most commonly used
output device. It allows you to see the
document that you are working on. As
you make changes to the document, the
monitor automatically updates so that you
can see your work.
Laser printer
Laser printers are used in many
workplaces because they are quiet; they
print lots of sheets very quickly and laser
printers produce high quality documents.
Ink-Jet printer
Ink-Jet printers can combine both black
and white and colour printing at the same
time. These printers use cartridges that
contains in, which can be printed out on to
a paper.
Extra fact you
know/ found out
TFT and LCD
monitors are quieter
than CRT monitors
and also create less
heat.
Laser printers print in
the same way as
photocopiers
Powdered ink, called
‘Toners’, is fused onto
paper by heat and
pressure
Colour ink-jet printers
are ideal for use
home where only a
few documents need
to be printed and the
quality of the printout
doesn’t need to be
perfect
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Digital projector
Plotter
Digital projectors are a projector that
connects to the computer and is used to
project the output from the computer onto
a wall or screen.
Places that uses digital projectors:
Classroom teaching, staff training sessions,
a presentation to an audience, home
cinemas
Although most digital
projectors are fairly
large in size, new
technology is
currently being
developed to
incorporate digital
projection into small
hand-held devices.
Plotters are special type of printer that
A plotter is different
prints out high quality images on very
from a printer
large pieces of paper. Engineers, architects because it draws
and mapmakers use plotters. They use it
images using a pen.
to to draw plans of buildings, diagram of
machines or large-scale maps.
Speakers
Speakers produce sounds. Computers can
also be fitted with a sound card (or chip),
which will enable sound to be output
through external speakers. The speakers
produce higher quality sound than the
internal speakers.
Speakers also help
blind people t use the
computer because
text can be converted
into sound.
Headphones
Headphones and earphones are speakers
that are worn over or in the ears. These
can connect to a computer, mp3, or a
radio. The headphones are like speakers,
but it is only heard by your own.
If music is played too
loudly or for long
periods of time from
the headphone, there
is a risk of permanent
hearing loss.
LED Lights
These LED Lights can be connected to a
computer and respond to electrical signals
which tell them to switch on and off.
LED lights can be
used in a computer
control simulation
and help provide
evidence that the
simulation is working
correctly.
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TASK 2: FILL IN THE BLANKS
Copy the sentences below and complete the blanks using words from the list.
You should use each word only once.
LAPTOP
PIXELS
SIZES
SCREEN
INCH
OUTPUT
DOTS
EXPENSIVE
Monitors
These are the most common output devices. Sometimes they are called a screen
instead. All desktop computers have a separate monitor, but a Laptop computer will
have a monitor, which is attached by hinges.
Monitors come in different sizes but the larger they are, the more expensive they tend
to be.
The picture on a monitor is made up of thousands of tiny coloured dots called pixels
the quality of a monitor depends on the number of pixels per inch.
Printers
CARTRIDGES
INK-JET
CARBON
LASER
RIBBON
TONER
HARD
Printers are useful for creating a hard copy of your work. There are two main types of
printer:


Laser printer
Ink-Jet printer
Laser Printers work much like a photocopier; powdered ink is fused onto paper by heat
and pressure. They produce a very high quality output, are quiet and fast, although
quite expensive to buy. They use toner rather than cartridges.
Ink-Jet Printers are cheaper to buy, offering black and white or colour printing with
reduced levels of quality and speed. The nozzles fire a jet of liquid ink through tiny
holes, hence the name, ‘ink-jet’. The ink is stored in cartridges.
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TASK 3: CHOOSE THE MOST SUITABLE OUTPUT DEVICE
Which output device would you recommend for the following tasks:
To produce a large number of letters in high
quality
Producing very large sheets such as blueprints
A Laser Printer
Producing a small number of coloured leaflets
A Ink-Jet Printer
Looking at changes that you are making to the
document you have open
Display a presentation to an audience
A Monitor
Listen to music with friends
A Speaker
A Plotter
A Digital projector
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