Lesson 2
Input, Output, and Processing
Computer Literacy
BASICS: A
Comprehensive Guide
to IC3, 3rd Edition
1
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Objectives
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Lesson 2
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Identify and describe standard and
specialized input devices.
Identify and describe standard and
specialized output devices.
Identify and describe how input and output
devices are connected to the computer.
Consider computer performance factors.
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Vocabulary
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audio input
biometrics
digital camera
expansion slot
FireWire
inkjet printer
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input
keyboard
laser printer
modem
monitor
mouse
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Vocabulary (continued)
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Lesson 2
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output
plug-and-play
pointing device
port
printer
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scanner
trackball
Universal Serial Bus
(USB)
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Introduction
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Lesson 2
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Input, which is data or instructions, must be
entered into the computer and then stored on
a storage media device.
To turn the data into information, the CPU
process the data.
After data is processed, it is “presented” to
the user through an output device.
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CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E
Standard Input Devices
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Input devices enable you to enter data and
commands into the computer.
Keyboard:
Most commonly used input device. Besides a
traditional keyboard, popular types include:
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Ergonomic
Cordless or wireless
Specialized
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Security
Foldable or flexible
Laser virtual keyboard
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Standard Input Devices (continued)
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Pointing Devices:
An input device that allows you to position the
pointer on the screen.
Mouse:
Most commonly used pointing
device. Types include:
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Mechanical
Optomechanical
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Optical
Wireless
Optical mouse
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Standard Input Devices (continued)
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Trackball:
A pointing device that works like a mouse
turned upside down; the ball is on top,
operated by your thumb and fingers.
Touchpad:
Common feature on laptops; a specialized
surface that converts the motion and position
of your fingers to a position on the screen.
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CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E
Standard Input Devices (continued)
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Lesson 2
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Pointing Stick:
A pressure-sensitive device located on the
keyboard of many notebook computers and
moved with the forefinger.
Audio Input:
The process of inputting sound into the
computer, including speech, sound effects,
and music.
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CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E
Standard Output Devices
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Output is data that has been processed into
a useful format. Output devices display
information.
Monitors:
Display device for a
desktop computer.
Varieties include CRT,
LCD, and gas plasma.
CRT monitor
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CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E
Standard Output Devices
(continued)
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Printers:
Used to produce a paper or hard copy of the
processing result. Consider speed, print
quality, and price when choosing.
Laser Printers:
Produces high-quality output using the same
technology as copier machines.
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CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E
Standard Output Devices
(continued)
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Inkjet Printers:
Uses a nonimpact process to provide goodquality color printing for less expense than a
laser printer.
Speakers:
Generate sound such as music. Individuals
can use headsets or earphones to hear
privately.
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CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E
Specialized Input Devices
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Digital Cameras:
Pictures are stored digitally and then
transferred to the computer’s memory.
Game Controllers:
Joysticks and wheels are
most often used for
games.
Joystick
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Specialized Input Devices
(continued)
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Scanners/Bar Code Readers:
Can change images into codes for input into
the computer. Various types include:
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Image scanners
Bar code scanners
Optical
scanner
Magnetic scanners
Wireless scanners
Optical character recognition (OCR) and optical
mark recognition (OMR)
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Specialized Input Devices
(continued)
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Touch Display Screen:
Special screen with
pictures or shapes; you
use your fingers to make
selections.
Stylus:
Pen-like writing instruments to input
information to a PDA or other mobile device.
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CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E
Specialized Input Devices
(continued)
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Environmental Probes and Sensors:
Used with a Web browser to monitor
elements of the work area such as humidity,
pollution, or security.
Remote Controls:
Used for televisions, lights, and fans as well
as for industry and business applications.
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CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E
Specialized Input Devices
(continued)
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Security Devices:
Biometric devices consist of a reader or
scanning device and software that converts the
scanned information into a digital format.
The way biometric technology works:
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Enrollment: User establishes baseline measurement
Submission: User presents proof of identity
Verification: System compares samples
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Specialized Input Devices
(continued)
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Virtual Devices:
Use the synchronized positioning of lightemitting and sensing devices to detect user
input; for example, a virtual computer
keyboard.
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Specialized Input Devices
(continued)
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Touch-Sensitive Pads:
On a portable device, enable you to scroll
through a list and make choices.
Input Devices for the Physically
Challenged:
Various special devices are available that
can be operated in different ways, such as a
keyboard that can be operated with the feet.
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Specialized Output Devices
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Projectors: Mostly used for presentations.
Fax machines and fax modems: Transmit and
receive documents through phone lines or
computer.
Multifunction printer: Combines various output
options such as printing, scanning, and copying.
Control devices/robots: Robotics is the study,
design, and use of robot systems for
manufacturing.
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Specialized Output Devices
(continued)
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Specialized Printers:
Line printer: High-speed printer attached primarily to
large computers.
Thermal: Forms characters by heating paper.
Mobile: Small, battery-powered printer.
Label and postage: Prints labels, including postage,
on adhesive-type paper.
Plotters/large-format: For drawing and drafting
output; used by engineers, architects, and artists.
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CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E
Specialized Output Devices
(continued)
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Output Devices for the Physically
Challenged:
Various special devices are available:
Lesson 2
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Screen magnifiers: Enlarge information on the
computer screen.
Screen readers: Use speech synthesizers to read
content for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Voice synthesizers: A voice changes written computer
text into synthetic speech.
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Connecting Input and Output
Devices to the Computer
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Ports and Connectors:
A port, or jack, is an interface
to which a peripheral device
attaches to or communicates
with the system unit.
Besides traditional, FireWire,
and USB ports, specialpurpose ports include SCSI,
IrDA, and Bluetooth.
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CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E
Connecting Input and Output
Devices to the Computer (continued)
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Hardware Installation:
For most hardware devices to work, they
need a set of instructions that communicates
with the computer’s operating system, called
a driver.
If the operating system already contains the
driver, it performs an automatic plug-andplay installation for newly connected devices.
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CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E
Computer Performance Factors
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A variety of factors affect a computer’s
performance:
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Microprocessor: The higher the generation, the
faster and better the processing speed.
Random access memory (RAM): Helps increase
the processing cycle and enhance performance.
Hard disk: Bigger and faster process data faster.
Video: Can enhance or slow down performance.
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CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E
Lesson 2
Summary
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In this lesson, you learned:
 Input devices enable you to input data and
commands into the computer. The most common
input devices are the keyboard and mouse.
 Other types of input devices include the trackball,
joystick, wheel, pointing stick, graphics tablet, touch
display screen, stylus, voice recognition devices,
touchpad, scanner, digital camera, video input, and
biometric input.
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CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E
Summary (continued)
Lesson 2
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Monitors and printers are examples of output
devices. Monitors produce soft copy. Printers
are used to produce a paper or hard copy of
the processed result.
Criteria for selecting a printer include speed,
print quality, and cost.
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CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E
Summary (continued)
Lesson 2
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Input and output devices must be connected to the
computer. Some input and output devices
communicate with the computer through a physical
connection. Wireless devices communicate with the
computer through infrared or radio waves.
Peripheral devices are connected to the computer
through serial, parallel, and Universal Serial Bus
(USB) ports. USB is a newer standard expected to
replace serial and parallel ports.
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Summary (continued)
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Lesson 2
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FireWire is a type of external bus that can
connect up to 63 external devices.
SCSI, IrDA, and Bluetooth are specialpurpose ports.
A computer’s performance is affected by the
speed of the processor, the amount of RAM,
hard disk size and speed, capability of
monitor, and disk organization.
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CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E