Assignment 1.

2
CSE-1111

Report on Different Input and Output

Devices of a Computer

Kabya Mithun Saha

Roll: 16

Department of CSE
University of Dhaka

[1]
 Input Device

Input devices are hardware which take input from

user/environment and send to a computer to interact and control
the computer. Description, application and limitations of some
input devices are given below.

1. Keyboard
Description : The device which is found in front of every
computer which includes keys where numbers, alphabets,
various symbols and many other things are written is called a
keyboard. A full size keyboard consists of 104 keys, though
60% , 65%, TKL (Ten Key Less) and keyboards with many
other form factors are available nowadays. The full keyboard is
usually divided into 5 sections based on its usage. Each and
every key performs different tasks.
[2]
 Types of Keyboards :
• Membrane Keyboard
• Flexible Keyboard
• Ergonomic Keyboard
• Wireless Keyboard
• Mechanical Keyboard

Applications : Using a keyboard is one of the easiest

ways to communicate with the computer. We can enter any
type of data or information into the computer using it. Writing
any type of numerical or non numerical data is the most
common use of a keyboard. We can also use many shortcuts using
the keyboard and to do many tasks quickly. For instance, we can
copy anything easily by pressing Ctrl+C.

Limitations : Writing something on the keyboard is a slow

method than scanning or dictation. Moreover people who don’t
have touch-typing skills may find it problematic typing on a
qwerty keyboard.

2. Mouse
Description : Mouse is an small input device which looks
identical to a real mouse. It usually has two buttons and one
scrollable wheel. Mouse can be found both wired and wireless
nowadays. It is the most used input device while operating a
computer. It enables us to open, close, edit files and do various
tasks according to our preferences.
 Types of Mouses :
• Laser Mouse
• Joystick
• Trackball Mouse
• Vertical Mouse
• Magic Mouse
• Gaming Mouse
• Mechanical Mouse
• Wireless Mouse
• Touchpad Fig-2: Mouse [3]

• Trackpoint

Application : A mouse is used to select files of the computer,

copy, paste, open files, scroll over pages etc. We can drag-and-
drop anything using a mouse. Any program can be opened,
operated and closed using a mouse.

Limitations : Mouse cannot enter any text or alphanumeric data

into the computer. Moreover it is an external input device,
additional space is required for using it. Sometimes it is difficult
to use when space is too short to move.
3. Scanner
Description : A scanner is an input device which scans images,
documents and converts them into digital data. Nowadays
scanners can also read and convert documents such as text or
images into machine language. When we need a soft copy of a
document from a hard copy, we use scanner to do it.

Types of Scanner :
• Flatbed Scanner
• Sheetfed Scanner
• Drum Scanner
• Photo Scanner
• Fill Scanner
• Portable Scanner
Fig-3: Scanner [4]
Applications : Both black-and-white or colorful images and
pages can be scanned using scanners. It captures images and pages
using reflected light and convert them into digital data that is
readable to a computer. Coping images from old images or
copying documents from old hard copy of documents are the most
common uses of a scanner.

Limitations : In spite of being a useful device, scanner has

limitations too . A scanner is comparatively slow which hampers
productivity a lot. Moreover its common for pages to get stuck
together when going through the automatic document feeder. So
the operators have to examine this frequently. They need training
to deal with these issues. Its maintenance is also quite costly.

4. Webcam
Description : A webcam is a commonly used input device which
is usually seen mounted on the top of the monitor of the computer.
In general words it is a small sized camera which is used to take
photos and videos. Some of them are wired and some of them are
wireless. A webcam takes real time pictures and videos and sends
them to the computer. Though nowadays most of the laptops come
with built-in camera, webcams are widely used in desktops.

Types of Webcams :
• Basic Webcam
• IP Network Webcam

Applications : Webcams are

widely used in various purposes
Fig-4: Webcam [5] to capture
photos and to record real-time videos. Webcams are used to join
video conversations, online classes , online streaming and many
other purposes. It is also used for face recognition to unlock the
computer. Many job interviews are done by video conferencing.
There are many platforms which gives us the opportunity to make
video calls with friends like Skype, Imo. Webcam gives access to
all of this. Moreover gamers can stream live gameplay through it
and earn a lot.
Limitations : Recorded video takes a good amount of space from
the storage. So, it is possible to run out of space. Most of the
webcams don’t have decent video quality. Sometimes it is
impossible to take pictures and videos in low light environment .
Moreover good webcams are pretty costly.

5. Microphone
Description : The device which is used to capture
audio from the user/environment is called
microphone. It captures the sound and stores/uses
it according to the users preference. Though
nowadays microphones are built in with some
computes, external microphones are still used for
better audio quality. Nowadays good microphones
are also seen in headphones.

Fig-5: Microphone [6]

Types of Microphones :
● Dynamic Microphones [7]

● Large Diaphram Condensor Microphones

● Small Diaphram Condensor Microphones
● Ribbon Microphones

Applications : Microphones are generally used for audio

conversations. It is also used in meetings. Moreover we can record
audio and songs through it. Voice search is also very popular
nowadays. It can also be used in voice recognition system.
Furthermore we use it to call our near and dear ones over the
internet.

Limitations : Recorded voice takes a good amount of space from

the storage. So it is possible to run out of space. Moreover,
recorded voice is not as accurate as typing. So correcting the
mistakes may take quite a long time and hamper productivity.

Output Device
Output devices are the hardware that gives data processed by
computer in a human perceptible way. Description, application and
limitations of some output devices are given below.

1. Monitor
Description : The first picture that comes to our mind after
thinking of a computer is of a monitor. Monitor is the display unit
of a computer. It shows the information of a computer in a pictorial
or textual form. It almost looks like a television. Previously CRT
( Cathode Ray Tube ) monitors used to be bulky which
occupied a lot of space on the desk. But nowadays using flat panel
display technology, they have
become so slim. Most of the people
use LCD or LED displays nowadays.
These take less space in the desk
compared to the older models of
monitors. Touch screen monitors are
also Fig-6: Monitor [8]
pretty available these days.

Types of Monitors :
• Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Monitors
• Flat Panel Monitors
• Touch Screen Monitors (It is also an input device)
• LCD Monitors
• LED Monitors
• OLED Monitors
• DLP Monitors
• TFT Monitors
• Plasma Screen Monitors [9]

Applications : Monitors are used to display text, images , videos.

Everything that we do in the computer are shown in the monitor.
Computer turns machine language to our familiar language and
shows it through monitor. We can use it while typing, video
calling, watching movies, playing video games and so on. We can
also use it as a TV by connecting a TV card with it. We can see
various data and change them according to our preferences on it.
Nothing will be visible if we don’t have a monitor. A computer is
useless without a monitor.

Limitations : Monitors don’t have built in speakers like TVs. A

monitor with a good display is quite expensive. Looking at the
monitor for a long period of time can hamper the eyesight. Some
monitors also emit radiations which is also very harmful.

2. Speaker
Description : Speaker is the output device which used to produce
sound as an output. Computer’s sound card produces
electromagnetic waves which are converted into sound waves
through speakers. Usually speakers are box shaped. When a
speaker receives electrical input, its internal parts vibrates which
makes the sound. Both wired and wireless speakers are available
nowadays.

Types of Speakers :
● Multimedia Speakers
● Surround Sound Speakers
● Soundbar
● Home Theater
● Internal Speakers
● Portable speakers
 ● Buzzer [11]

[10]
Fig-7: Speaker
Applications : By making sounds, speakers make it easier to use
the computer. We get many notifications through sound gestures.
We can also use it while playing games and watching movies
which makes these more enjoyable. It can make study more
interactive. Without the help of speakers, the entertainment genre
would become quite disabled. Moreover text to speech conversion
can make it easier for physically disabled people to use computer.

Limitations : Sometimes speakers are too loud that it may annoy

people. Too much loud noise can cause high blood pressure,
headache, heart disease, stress, sleep disturbance problems etc.
Bluetooth speakers have a short range. It might not work properly
even at a short distance.

3. Projector
Description : A projector is a hardware that displays photos, text,
information etc. like a monitor. But the major difference between
a monitor and a projector is that a monitor shows everything on its
own display. But projector doesn’t work in that way. It emits light
which is projected on a surface (generally white) where we can see
the display. It is way bigger than a normal display of a computer.
Usually projectors enlarge images using lenses. But nowadays
some of the new projectors can project larger image directly using
lasers.

Types of Projectors :
• DLP Projector
• LCD Projector
• LED Projector
Fig-8: Projector [12]
• LCOS Projector
• CRT Projector
• Laser Projectors [13]

Applications : Projectors are generally used when we need a

larger screen than conventional ones. For instance it is used in
cinema theaters where hundreds of people needs to see the screen
together. While doing presentations or meetings projectors are
used to show graph and charts and to explain them. It is also seen
using in many places to show important matches of various games.
Limitations : A projectors display might not work properly even
in normal light. It requires a dark room. Projector needs regular
maintenance. Its installation and maintenance cost can also be
higher in some cases. As projector is an external output device, it
is also problematic to carry it.

4. Printer
Description : A printer is a output device which gives output by
printing text, images or other images on paper. When we need a
hard-copy of a document, we can easily print in through a printer.
There are 2D and 3D printers. 2D printer prints text or image on
paper where 3D printers can make 3D objects. When we need a
hard copy of a document, we can use it to meet our needs.

Types of Printers:
• Laser Printer
• Solid Ink Printer
• LED Printer
 • Solid Ink Printer
• Dot Matrix Printer
• Business Inkjet Printer
• 3D Printer Fig-9: Printer [14]

Applications : We use printers to print text, images, documents

etc. Students make a hard copy of there report using printer. In
offices, printers are commonly used. It is also used in business
institutions, press, banks and many other places. When we don’t
need the whole book but some specific pages, we can download
the PDF of the book and print the desired pages through the
printer.

Limitations : If any mistake is found after printing, it can’t be

changed. We have to print it again. It may take a lot of time while
processing a large amount of data. A good printer is very costly.
Moreover we have to refill the ink after a certain period of time
which is costly also.

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The End