Output devices

output device: definition

device which can be used to send info from a computer

output device: examples

- screens

- printers

- multimedia projectors

- speakers/ headphones

- actuators

LCD monitor: definition

contains groups of red, green and blue diodes to form each pixel - screen is backlit using LEDs

LCD: advantages

- reaches max brightness asap

- sharp + vivid images

- leds small = thinner screens

- long life

- consume little power = reduced running costs

OLED: definition

screens use plastic that's flexible to bend rather than glass

OLED: advantages

- much brighter + thinner - no backlighting = no leds = no power consumption

- 200x faster

OLED: disadvantages

- don't last long

- sensitive to water

laser printer: how it works

uses powdered ink called toner and each colour of toner placed at one time - so repeats process 4 times

laser printer: advantages

- high speed

- used where noise levels need to be low

- require less servicing + ink replacement as they print a lot more pages = cost effective for b&w prints

laser: disadvantages

not good for photo quality images as hard to produce deep rich colours - BUT goof for text

inkjet printers: how it works

uses liquid ink instead of toner

inkjet: advantages

- high quality for images + photos

- upfront initial cost low

inkjet: disadvantages

- buffer memory not large so printing dont]e a bit at a time, jobs pause to get more data

- ink cartridges run out quickly and can smudge

dot and matrix printer

Impact printer where à print head presses against an inked ribbon to form letter on a paper

Dot and matrix: advntages

- can operate in damp/ dirty environments where quality is not important

- easy to use if continuous stationery is required (wage slips)

- useful with carbon-copy paper (invoices)

Dot and matrix: disadvantages

Slow, noisy and bad quality outputs

plotter: what is it

produce high accurate large drawings + poster

plotter: uses

blueprints, stencils / large signs (if pens replaced with cutting tools)

plotter: advs

large, high quality images

plotter: disadvs

slow + expensive to buy and maintain

3D printer

produces 3d models using inkjet tech called tomography which layers thin levels of powder

3d printer: uses

- prototypes

- prosthetic limbs

- car/plane parts

- medical equipment

- fashion accesories

3d: disadvs

- slow

- expensive

- end product not final

multimedia projectors: how it works

image from source is magnified and projected onto large screen

projector: uses

training presentations, large audiences, home cinema, schools

projector: disadvs

- image fuzzy

- expensive to buy + set up

- need large space beforehand

speaker

device that generates sound waves from data being received from a sound card

speaker: uses

- verbal instructions ( sat navs)

- read texts aloud for the blind

- warning sounds

- notifications