1. Cambridge Technical

2. Learning Content c) Output devices (Common and specialist)
Describe the use of a range of common and specialised output devices
Monitor/screen, printers (laser, inkjet), speakers and digital projector, plotters, actuators, lights, buzzers, robotic arms and computerised-motors
d) Advantages and disadvantages of different types of output device
Identify suitable uses of the output devices in above, stating the advantages and disadvantages of each to people and organisations
In terms of displaying results of processing interactively (on screen) or in hard copy (to be read later) Specialised outputs for certain purposes (ie opening doors, switching on/off lights)

3. What is an output device?
An output device is any type of equipment that allows you to display or extract data that has been stored and processed from a computer system.
There are many different types of output devices.

4. And to state where they might be used and explain why.
Task:
To be able to write down the advantages and disadvantages of each of the output devices.
And to state where they might be used and explain why.
Helpful Hints:

5. A monitor or screen is the most commonly used output device.
They come in different shapes, sizes and forms.
A typical monitor size is a 19inch diagonal.
In an exam question you will need to be able to explain about the different types of monitor and explain which one is best.

6. Where is a monitor used and why?
Type of monitor
Advantages
Disadvantages

7. Plasma screens are very popular for televisions.
Screens come in different sizes and each year they try to improve the quality and size.

8. Where is a plasma screen used and why?
Advantages
Disadvantages

9. There are ink jet printers and laser printers.
Printers are another common used output device. They are used to create a hard copy of your work.
Most printers produce their output onto paper, however some printers can print direct on to CD or DVD disks.
There are ink jet printers and laser printers.

10. Laser Printer
Laser printers are used in many workplaces, because they are quiet and they print a large number of sheets very quickly and they produce high quality documents.

11. Inkjet Printer
Inkjet printer have been popular for a long time as they are quite cheap to buy and most of them combine both black and white and colour printing,

12. Where is a printer used and why?
Laser jet Advantages
Laser jet Disadvantages
Inkjet Advantages
Inkjet Disadvantages

13. Plotter
A plotter is a specialist type of printer, which is able to draw very high quality images on to large sheets of paper.
A plotter differs from a printer in that it draws images using a pen that can be lowered, raised and moved across the paper to form continuous lines.

14. Where is a plotter used and why?
Advantages
Disadvantages

15. Touch screens work particularly well with a menu driven interface.
A touch screen is the only device that works as both an input and output device. You view the options available to you on the screen and you use your finger to touch the option that you have chosen.
Touch screens work particularly well with a menu driven interface.

16. Where is a touch screen used and why?
Advantages
Disadvantages

17. A projector can either be portable or fixed to the wall or ceiling.
Digital Projector
A digital projector is connected to the computer to display the image either onto the wall or a large screen.
A projector can either be portable or fixed to the wall or ceiling.

18. Where is a digital projector used and why?
Advantages
Disadvantages

19. Speakers allow you to output sound.
Speakers can either be integrated as part of the computer system or they can be added to the computer via a wire.
Speakers allow you to output sound.

20. Where are speakers used and why?
Advantages
Disadvantages

21. They work by the electronic signals being converted into sound.
Headphones
Headphones can either be connected wirelessly or by a cable to a device to allow you to hear sound.
They work by the electronic signals being converted into sound.

22. Where are headphones used and why?
Advantages
Disadvantages

23. Lights
Lights such as LEDs (Light emitting diodes) can be connected to a computer or within equipment and respond to electrical signals which tell them to switch on and off.

24. Where are lights used and why?
Advantages
Disadvantages