ICT

Chapter 2: Input devices and Output devices

2.1 Input Devices and their uses:

Devices Characteristics Uses Advantages Disadvantages

Keyboard a. Most common a. Typing text a. Fast entry of a. Can cause

data entry into word new text. RSI with
device. processors. prolonged use.
b. Easy to verify
b. Converts key b. Entering data against b. Slower than
presses into numbers into source direct numeric
digital signals for spreadsheets. documents. entry devices.
the CPU.
c. Typing c. Familiar and c. Occupies
c. Connected via commands and widely used by desk space
USB, wireless, shortcuts (e.g., most people.
or virtual on Ctrl+P to print).
touchscreens.

Numeric a. Specialized a. Enter PIN and a. Faster than a. Small keys

KeyPads for numeric transaction info standard can be hard to
input. at ATMs. keyboards for press.
numbers.
b. Small, b. Input phone b. Number
compact, and numbers on b. Portable and layout may be
portable. mobile devices. easy to carry. unintuitive for
some users.
c. Some allow c. Manual data c. Simple layout
limited entry in POS for numeric c. Limited to
alphabetic input terminals if tasks. numeric data
via function barcodes fail. input.
keys.

Pointing Devices a. Controls a. Selecting a. Faster than a. Hard for users

(Mouse) pointer on items, keyboard for with limited
screen via opening/closing navigation. hand/ wrist
movement. applications. movement.
b. Precise
b. Typically has b. Image editing control over b. Requires flat
left/right buttons and positioning pointer. surface.
and scroll wheel. objects.
c. Small desk c. Older mice
c. Can be optical c. Scrolling space needed. collect dirt and
or wireless. through malfunction.
 documents and
web pages.

Pointing Devices a. Integrated a. Selecting a. No separate a. Less precise

(Touchpad) into laptops; items on screen. device needed. than mouse.
finger controls
pointer. b. Navigating b. Convenient b. Harder for
documents and for mobile use. drag/drop tasks.
b. Buttons under applications.
touchpad mimic c. Fast c. Difficult for
mouse clicks. c. Scrolling and navigation. limited mobility
drag/drop users.
c. Portable; no operations.
extra device
needed.

Pointing Devices a. Stationary a. Alternative for a. Accurate a. Expensive.

(Trackerball) device; pointer RSI users. pointer control.
moves by rolling b. Not standard
ball. b. Industrial b. Easier on equipment.
control room wrist/hand than
b. Buttons for navigation. mouse. c. May require
selection like a training to use
mouse. c. Luxury car c. More robust effectively.
interface (radio, and durable.
c. Does not satnav, etc.).
require large
desk space.

Remote Control a. Sends a. Televisions, a. Operates from a. Signal can be

infrared signals DVD/Blu-ray, distance safely. blocked by
to devices. Hi-Fi systems. walls.
b. Convenient
b. Buttons allow b. Multimedia for hard-to-reach b. Difficult for
selection of system control. devices. users with
functions. limited mobility.
c. Industrial c. Reduces risk
c. Can operate process control. in hazardous c. Requires
from a distance. environments. line-of-sight to
device.

Joystick a. Stick controls a. a. More intuitive a. Less precise

pointer. Video/computer than a keyboard than a mouse for
games. for navigation. fine control.
b. Buttons allow
selection or b. Flight b. Realistic b. It takes time
game actions. simulators. control for to learn.
simulations.
c. Often used in c. Controlling c. Limited
simulators virtual c. Easier for general-purpose
 environments some users than use.
a mouse.

Driving Wheels a. Simulates car a. Racing a. Natural a. Expensive.

steering. games. steering
movement. b. Movement
b. Includes b. Driving sensitivity can
pedals/buttons simulators. b. Realistic be unrealistic.
for driving
acceleration/bra c. Training for experience. c. Feedback
king. actual vehicle may be absent
control. c. Easier to in cheaper
c. Sensors control than models.
detect turning joystick or
movements. keyboard.

Touch Screen a. Selects a. ATMs and a. Fast a. Can cause

options by petrol pumps. selection. arm strain/RSI.
touch.
b. Interactive b. User-friendly; b. Limited input
b. Can act as whiteboards in no training options.
input and output. schools. needed.
c. Screens get
c. Works on c. Mobile c. Reduces need dirty, harder to
tablets, ATMs, phones and for extra devices read in sunlight.
POS systems. tablets.

Scanner a. Converts a. Document a. Editable a. Quality

paper digitisation. digital images. depends on
documents/phot resolution.
os to digital b. Archiving b. Faster than
format. valuable retyping. b. Slower for
books/photos. high-resolution
b. Flatbed or c. Preserves scans.
specialist c. Barcode original
scanners. scanning at documents. c. Somewhat
POS. costly.
c. Can integrate
with OCR
software.

Digital Camera a. Captures a. Photography. a. High-quality a. Requires

images digitally. images. computer
b. Data capture literacy.
b. Uses memory in cars, medical, b. Quick upload
cards for VR. to computers. b. Compression
storage. may reduce
c. Creating c. No film quality.
c. Can transfer digital archives needed;
images via USB, or virtual tours. environmentally c. Software may
 Wi-Fi, or friendly. alter artistry of
Bluetooth. photos.

Microphone a. Converts a. Voice input for a. Faster than a. Large files

sound to digital presentations or typing speech. consume
format. recording. memory.
b. Real-time
b. Can be b. Speech manipulation of b. Voice
built-in or recognition sound. recognition is
external (USB/ software. less accurate
Bluetooth). c. Hands-free than typing.
c. Video operation
c. Uses a conferencing or improves safety. c. Requires
diaphragm, coil, VolP. software
and magnet knowledge.
system.

Sensors a. Measures a. Environmental a. Accurate and a. Faulty

changing monitoring continuous sensors give
physical (pollution, readings. incorrect
quantities humidity). readings.
(temperature, b. Automatic
light, etc.). b. Industrial monitoring/contr b. Analogue
automation. ol. requires ADC
b. Outputs conversion.
analogue data c. Home c. Reduces
converted to appliances human c. Expensive to
digital via ADC. (washing intervention. install.
machines,
c. Can be ovens).
integrated into
monitoring or
control systems.

Light Pens a. Detects light a. CAD software a. Small and a. Only works
changes on CRT drawing. space-saving. with CRT
screens. monitors.
b. Selecting b. Greater
b. Sends signals items on CRT accuracy than b. Lag when
to the computer screens. touch screens. drawing.
when light is
detected. c. Interactive c. Easy to use c. Outdated
computer technology; less
c. Can be used interfaces (older precise than
for drawing or tech) modern devices.
selection.
2.2 Direct Data Entry Devices

Devices Characteristics Uses Advantages Disadvantages

Magnetic Stripe a. Reads data a. ATMs and a. Fast data a. Data lost if
Readers stored on EFTPOS entry without magnetic stripe
magnetic stripe terminals for typing. is damaged.
of cards. card payments.
b. Accurate; b. Must be in
b. Data includes b. Security reduces human close contact;
account number, access for error. cannot work at a
sort code, buildings, hotel distance.
expiry/start rooms, etc. c. Robust with
dates. no moving parts; c. Information
c. Automatic unaffected by not
c. identification in oil, water, or human-readable
Contact-based; transportation moisture. ; can be a
card must be systems. disadvantage in
swiped through some contexts.
or inserted.

Contactless a. Reads a. Quick a. Faster than a. More

Card Readers embedded chip payments for magnetic stripe expensive than
via radio waves. small-value (~10 seconds vs regular cards.
purchases. 30).
b. Card can be b. Risk of
read within a few b. Retail b. High security unauthorized
centimetres checkouts. with 128-bit reading with
without contact. encryption and suitable device
c. Transport one-time (though limited).
c. Uses systems for transaction
encryption to ticketing. numbers. c. Maximum
secure transaction
transactions c. Reduces value limited;
typing errors and rare instances of
keeps customer double charging.
card data
private.

Chip and PIN a. Card inserted; a. Payment at a. More secure a. Risk of PIN
Readers chip read; PIN restaurants, than contactless; being observed
entered via supermarkets, PIN required. while typed.
keypad. travel agencies.
b. More robust b. Slower than
b. Provides b. Secure card than magnetic contactless for
visual verification. stripe. small payments.
 instructions via
screen. c. EFTPOS c. Reduces card c. Requires
transactions. fraud through training for
C. chip proper
authentication. operation.
Secure,
contact-based
system; no RF
technology.

RFID Readers a. Uses radio a. Livestock a. Fast read-rate a. Tag collision

waves to read tracking. (<100ms). can interfere
data from RFID with readings.
tags. b. Retail: b. Can read
automatic multiple tags b. Radio signals
b. Tags can be checkout without simultaneously can be jammed
passive scanning each (bulk detection). or hacked.
(powered by item.
reader) or C. c. More
battery-powered. c. Theme park expensive than
passes or library Robust, reliable, barcode
c. Can read from book tracking. supports systems.
several metres; read/write
no line-of-sight operations.
needed.

OMR a. Detects marks [Link]-choice a. Fast input of a. Forms must

on pre-defined exams. large volumes of be carefully
positions on responses. designed.
forms. b. Surveys and
questionnaires. b. Accurate; less b. Errors if
b. Works with error than marks
pencil or pen c. Voting papers. manual keying. incorrectly filled;
marks. may need
c. More reliable manual
c. Position of than OCR for checking.
marks compared set-choice
to templates forms. c. Complex
stored in forms can be
memory. expensive to
produce.

OCR a. Converts a. Passport and a. Faster than a. Difficulty

printed or typed ID card manual data reading poor
text into digital processing. entry. handwriting.
form.
b. Digitising b. Reduces b. Less accurate
b. Can integrate books, human errors. than OMR for
with word newspapers, multiple-choice
processors or and historical c. Useful for forms.
 databases. documents. archiving and
research. c. Complex
c. Requires c. Automatic recognition
OCR software to number plate software
interpret recognition required.
characters. (ANPR).

Barcode a. Scans a. Retail a. Faster than a. Expensive to

Readers barcodes to checkout and manual keying. implement and
capture encoded stock control. maintain.
information. b. Reduces
b. Library book human errors. b. Barcodes can
[Link] be tracking. be swapped or
handheld, wand, c. Supports damaged.
or integrated in c. Equipment automatic stock
POS. maintenance management. c. Less durable
checks. than RFID or
c. Uses laser or magnetic stripe.
LED to detect
bars and
spaces.

QR Code a. Reads matrix a. Advertising, a. Holds much a. Multiple QR

Scanners codes of business cards, more information formats;
dark/light web links. than normal compatibility
squares (QR barcodes. issues.
codes). b. Boarding
passes and b. Easier and b. Can embed
b. Can encode event tickets. cheaper to scan malicious codes
thousands of (camera-based). (attagging).
characters or [Link]-Fi
digits. authentication c. Can be c. Requires
and augmented transmitted app/software to
[Link] read via reality digitally and read.
smartphone/tabl applications. encrypted for
et cameras. security

2.3 Output Devices and Their Uses

Devices Characteristics Uses Advantages Disadvantages

CRT Monitors ●Bulky, heavy, ●CAD ●Wide viewing ●Heavy, large,

large footprint. applications. angles. power-hungry.

●Uses electron ●Used with light ●Supports light ●Flickering can

gun + phosphor pens. pen input. cause eye
 screen. strain.
●Large displays ●Clear, sharp
● Supports light for technical images (no ●Produces lots
pens (CAD). diagrams. burn-in). of heat.

LCD/LED ●Thin, ●Computers, ●Low power, ●Poor viewing

Screens lightweight, low laptops, mobiles. lightweight. angles.
power.
●Tablets and ●High image ●Motion blur and
●Uses liquid gaming devices. quality, sharp weak pixels.
crystals + resolution.
LED/CCFL ●Touch-screen ●Lower contrast
backlight. displays. ●No flickering, than CRT.
low EM radiation
●High
resolution, many
sizes.

Touch Screens ●Combines ●Smartphones, ●Easy to use, no ●Limited options

(as output + display + input in tablets. training needed. compared to
input) one. keyboards.
●ATMs, kiosks, ●Faster option
●Interactive ticket machines. selection. ●Dirty screens
GUI. reduce clarity.
●Information ●User-friendly,
●Works with systems in intuitive ●Security risks
touch sensors. public places. (tracking input).

Multimedia ●Projects ●Training & ●A large ●Images can be

Projectors enlarged image business audience can blurry.
on screen. presentations. view together.
●Expensive
●Works with ●Advertising ●Saves cost of equipment.
computers, displays. multiple
DVD, TV. computers. ●Setup can be
●Home cinema difficult.
●Controlled systems ●Good for group
remotely presentations.
(cordless
mouse)

Laser Printers ●Uses toner + ●Office printing. ●Fast, efficient ●Expensive

drum + laser for large jobs. (especially
beam. ●High-volume, color).
professional ●High consistent
●Very fast and printing. quality. ●Harmful
high-quality emissions
prints. ●Quiet printing ●Toner lasts (ozone, VOCs).
●Large buffer environments long, ●Slow for small
memory cost-effective jobs.
Inkjet Printers ●Uses ●Low-volume ●High-quality ●Slow for big
cartridges + printing. output. jobs.
nozzles.
●Photo-quality ●Cheaper to buy ●Ink runs out
●Sprays ink printing. than lasers. fast, costly.
droplets
(thermal/piezo). ●Home ●Compact and ●Can smudge
/individual use. light. easily
●Lightweight,
small footprint.

Dot Matrix ●Impact printer, ●Carbon copies ●Works in harsh ●Poor-quality

Printers uses pin + ink (invoices, environments. output.
ribbon. payslips).
●Cheap to run, ●Noisy
●Produces ●Noisy/dirty durable. operation.
continuous or environments.
multipart forms. ●Can print ●Slow printing.
●Shop receipts. multipart
●Low print stationery.
quality, noisy

Plotters ●Uses ●Architectural & ●Very accurate ●Very slow

pens/blades engineering & high quality. printing.
instead of ink. drawings.
●Can print on ●Expensive
●Produces ●Animation/cart many materials. equipment/softw
vector graphics. oon graphics. are.
●Large output
●Prints on large ●Cutting designs sizes possible. ●Large footprint.
sheets/materials on materials.
.

3D Printers ●Builds objects ●Medical ●Custom, ●Can be

layer by layer prosthetics, complex objects misused
(additive). surgery parts. possible. (weapons/count
erfeit).
●Uses resin, ●Aerospace and ●Rapid
plastic, metal automotive prototyping. ●High cost of
powders. parts. equipment/mater
●Useful in ials.
●Based on ●Fashion, art, medical &
inkjet/laser prototypes. industrial fields. ●Potential job
technology losses in
industry.

Speakers ●Converts digital ●Phones, ●Amplifies ●Disturbs others

→ analogue → computers. sound for many in shared
sound. people. spaces.
●Multimedia
 ●Uses DAC + presentations. ●Improves ●Good quality =
amplifier + cone. presentations/at expensive.
●Helping the mosphere.
●Produces visually impaired ●Takes up desk
sound waves. (speech). ●Simple, space.
easy-to-use tech

Actuators ●Converts ●Controlling ●Enables ●Adds extra

electrical signal motors, pumps, remote failure points.
→ motion. valves. operation.
●Needs DAC for
●Types: ●Automation in ●Inexpensive control.
solenoid, relay, factories. devices.
motor. ●Can only do
●Robotics and ●Integrates with limited types of
●Produces safety systems. control systems movement
linear/rotary
movement.