Devices

📥 INPUT DEVICES

INPUT DEVICES

• Keyboard

  • Advantage: Fast entry of new text into a document

  • Disadvantage: Slow method when compared to direct data entry

• Numeric Keypad

  • Advantage: Faster than standard keyboards when entering numeric data

  • Disadvantage: Small keys make input more difficult

• Mouse

  • Advantage: Very quick way to navigate through applications

  • Disadvantage: Needs a large desk area / flat surface

• Touchpad

  • Advantage: Faster than a keyboard for choosing options

  • Disadvantage: Takes practice and skill to control the position of the cursor

• Trackerball

  • Advantage: Needs less desk space than a mouse

  • Disadvantage: Not supplied with computers as standard, therefore more costly

• Remote Control

  • Advantage: Can be operated from any reasonable distance

  • Disadvantage: Easier to block the signal if walls are thick

• Joystick

  • Advantage: Used in simulators to mimic actual controls

  • Disadvantage: More difficult to control the on-screen pointer than a mouse

• Driving Wheel

  • Advantage: Easier than a keyboard or joystick to control steering movements

  • Disadvantage: Rather expensive input device

OUTPUT DEVICES

• LED / LCD Screens

  • Advantage: Very efficient, low power consumption

  • Disadvantage: Colour and contrast from various viewing angles can be inconsistent

• Touchscreens

  • Advantage: Faster entry of options than using a keyboard

  • Disadvantage: The screen can get very dirty, reducing its responsiveness

• Multimedia Projector

  • Advantage: Enables many people to see a presentation

  • Disadvantage: Expensive to buy from the outset

STORAGE DEVICES

• Fixed Hard Disk (HDD)

  • Advantage: Very fast data transfer rate and fast access time

  • Disadvantage: Easily damaged if correct shut down procedure is not carried out

• Portable Hard Disk

  • Advantage: Method of transferring information between computers

  • Disadvantage: Easily damaged if dropped or subjected to a strong magnetic field

• Magnetic Tape

  • Advantage: Huge data storage capacity

  • Disadvantage: Very slow data access time

• Memory Sticks (USB)

  • Advantage: Very compact and portable / Not affected by magnetic fields

  • Disadvantage: Easy to lose

• Flash Memory Cards

  • Advantage: Very compact / Very robust

  • Disadvantage: Expensive per gigabyte of memory