What is an Output Device?
Output devices are parts of your computer (which means they are hardware!) that outputs data instead of the data having to be put in like the input devices.
Examples of output devices:
Examples of output devices:
- Speakers
- Monitor
- CRT monitor
- Printer
Output devices
CRT Monitor
A CRT monitor or Cathode Ray Tube has been used for around 100 years and is found in most televisions and computers.
They were very common but have began to fade out despite their slightly better resolution and view quality, which out shadows the LCD monitors of today. People like graphics designers and CAD engineers were the prime market for screens like this as it gave off true color, the color it would be when it printed. Despite these advantages the CRT is large and cumbersome so it isn't very efficient.
They were very common but have began to fade out despite their slightly better resolution and view quality, which out shadows the LCD monitors of today. People like graphics designers and CAD engineers were the prime market for screens like this as it gave off true color, the color it would be when it printed. Despite these advantages the CRT is large and cumbersome so it isn't very efficient.
LCD Monitor
LCD or TFT monitors (Liquid Crystal Display and Thin Film Transistor) monitors are the most popular at the moment because of their obvious advantages over CRT monitors - for example CRT monitors are very heavy and in some cases more expensive but LCD & TFT monitors are cheap and cheerful, perfect for family's and offices. These monitors are widely used, so there are too many uses to say. The advantage is that they are lighter and more compact making them more efficient but the disadvantage is that the color and resolution just isnt as good as the CRT's
Multimedia Projectors
Multimedia projectors are output devices which display an enlarged image of a computer screen or something else onto a larger screen like a projector board. They aren't used much but they are used in schools and some businesses as well as some home cinemas. The advantage of these is that they can project a larger and better image onto a screen but the disadvantage is they are expensive and hard to set up.
Laser printer
These printers use a laser to form an image by building it up from a computer image, this image is slightly better than an inkjet because it is a laser printer, the disadvantage however is that they are more expensive than their inkjet counterparts. Laser printers are used where noise levels need to be kept low such as a office. They are also the best option for fast and high quality printing. The advantages are that it can print fast in large volumes, the quality is consistent, they are also cost affective as the cartridges take a long time to run out.
Inkjet printer
These are the more widely used and inexpensive printers that are used in consumer use as well as business too. Their advantages are that they are less expensive than Laser printers however the image isn't as good as a laser printed image and ink cartridges seem to always run out!
Dot Matrix printer
Dot matrix printers use an impact system which forms letters and certain graphics out of dots as shown in the example text on the right. The advantages are that the ink rarely needs to be replaced and they can be used in noisy environments, they are also very cheap and easy to run, however they are more expensive than inkjets the cartages are rather pricey, and they are quiet noisy making them not useful in an office environment, they are also rather slow.
Graph plotter
Graph plotters draw by using a pen inside the machine which draws out the vector graphics, these are used for things like architecture and ship building, blueprints. The advantages are that you can create alot, but the disadvantages are that it is very specialized and expensive.
Speakers
Speakers are output devices for sound data which comes from the computer therefore it is an output device, they are widely used by everyone.