Computer hardware Flashcards
Input devices
allows user to enter data into the computer system
Output devices
allows computer to show the information, data or instructions provided by the input
Examples of input devices
keyboard, camera, microphone, touch screen, scanner, graphics tablet, mouse, barcode reader
Examples of output devices
monitor, projector, printer, speaker
Output devices for users with special needs
screen readers (e.g. magnification software), voice synthesisers, actuators
Input devices for users with special needs
braille keyboard, eye typer, foot mouse, puff-suck switch
Computer components
items which together form a computer system
Communications devices
hardware device capable of transmitting an analog or digital signal over the telephone, other communication wire, or wirelessly.
Keyboard + and -
+ easy, cheap, simple, old fashioned (widely used)
- slow compared to other methods, hard to type quickly
Touchpad + and -
+ Integrated into a laptop for easier transport
- very small compared to the size of the computer screen.
- Some people find them harder to use than mouse
Graphics Tablet + and -
+ Great level of accuracy, Easy to draw and write on the computer
- Not suitable for general use, They are usually expensive.
Monitors + and -
+ view the graphical user interface, Instant output of data, you can see what you are doing on the computer
- Can be expensive, Flat screens can be damaged easily
Speakers + and -
+ sometimes built into a laptop or monitor, They are simple to operate, Can be used to help a blind person operate a computer, Can be used to alert the computers user
- Can distract people around you, High quality speakers are normally quite expensive.
