1.1.3 Input, output and storage

input devices

• keyboard

• webcam

• barcode reader

• magnetic strip reader

output devices

• speakers

• printers

• projectors

touchscreen

• considered both input/output

• otuputs information like a monitor

• acts as a device for input

factors to consider when purchasing an input device

• speed and accuracy of input → different devices will transfer data in faster rates or to record info in greater detail

• cost

• relevance → is this device suited to the task

optical storage

read/written to using lasers → reflects light from thr disc to represent binary information

e.g. CD’s, DVD’s , Blue- ray

order or increasing capactiy

• cd → dvd → blue - ray

magnetic

stores info magnetically→ represents binary info using two magnetic states

polarised and unpolarised

e.g. hard disk drives, magnetic tape and floppy disks

flash

• fast and compact

uses silicon semi conducters and forms logic gates NAND/NOR to store electrical change in one of two states

high/low + non volatile

e.g. solid state drive

factors to consider when buying a storage device

• capacity

• speed

• cost

• durability

• portability

• compatability

SSD, HDD, FLASH and CLOUD storage

SSDs

• Speed: Extremely fast (especially NVMe drives), dramatically reducing boot times and file transfers.

• Durability: High resistance to physical drops and shock.

• Best For: Primary operating systems, active project files, and gaming

HDDs

• Cost-efficiency: Offer the lowest cost per gigabyte, making them ideal for massive amounts of data.

• Speed/Durability: Slower than SSDs and more susceptible to physical damage due to mechanical moving parts.

• Best For: Long-term archival, desktop backups, and storing large media libraries. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

FLASH

• Portability: Highly compact and lightweight.

• Reliability: Often lack advanced heat management, making them less suited for heavy, continuous use.

• Best For: Transferring files between computers and running lightweight portable apps.

CLOUD

• Accessibility: Highly accessible from any device or location with an internet connection.

• security: Managed by provider security protocols and automatic backups.

• Best For: Remote collaboration, offsite backups, and freeing up local device space

RAM

random access memory

• fast main memory used for data/programs the computer is currently using

• is volatile

• used as temporary storage while the computer is running

ROM

read only memory

• non volatile

• used to store fixed sequence of intructions e.g. bootstrap/BIOS

• cannot be modified → one programmed the state of the memory cells do not change

Virtual memory

Virtual storage is the name given to storing information remotely so that it can be accessed by any computer with access to the same system

• e.g. internet → cloud storage services like Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive as well as networked storage used in offices and schools.

As internet speeds increase → virtual storage is becoming a more popular method of storage → convenience of files being available “in the cloud” on any device connected to the Internet.

• While virtual storage is convenient to access and share, its disadvantages include limitations of a user’s network speed and high costs.