INPUT DEVICES

Input is any data and instructions entered into the memory of a

computer.
An input device is any hardware component that allows users to enter
data and instructions into a computer

Types of Input Devices

• Manual Input e.g keyboard, mouse
• Source Data-entry Devices
 Manual Input
Manual Input devices allow users to manually enter data into a computer.
• Keyboard: an input device that contains keys users press to enter data and instructions into
a computer
Type Description Key Features
Standard Regular keyboard with full keys, Full layout (104 keys), function keys,
Keyboard used on desktops. numeric keypad.
Laptop Compact keyboard built into laptops, Integrated with device, smaller size,
Keyboard often smaller. no numeric keypad (sometimes).
Wireless Connects wirelessly via Bluetooth or No cables, portable, requires
Keyboard USB receiver. battery or charging.
Virtual Software-based keyboard displayed Touch input, customizable layouts,
Keyboard on touchscreens. multi-language support.
Ergonomic Designed to reduce strain with split Comfortable typing, reduces wrist
Keyboard or curved layout. strain, split key sections.
 Manual Input……
• Mouse: a pointing device that fits under the palm of your hand comfortably.
Device Description Common Use Advantages
A rotating ball embedded in a
Trackball socket that the user rolls with design workstations
fingers or palm.
A small joystick-like nub found
Pointing Stick between keys on some Laptop navigation
keyboards (e.g., laptops).
A flat surface that senses finger Laptops and compact
Touchpad
movement to move the pointer. computers
A stick that pivots on a base to
Joystick control movement in games or Gaming, robotics
machinery.
Pen-based Stylus or pen used to Graphics design, digital
Input Device draw/write on a touch-sensitive signatures, note-taking
surface like a tablet.
Source Data-entry
Source Data-entry devices are used to input data directly from the source into a
computer system or digital storage. For example;
• Scanners: Capture physical documents and convert them into digital images
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Converts documents or PDFs, into
editable data.
• Bar-Code Readers: Capture product information by scanning barcodes.
• Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) devices: Devices that read
characters printed with magnetic ink, primarily used in the banking industry
to process checks.
• Optical mark reading (OMR) devices: Read marked data from forms, such as
standardized tests.
• Card Reading Devices: Devices that read data stored on payment cards.
Source Data-entry….
• EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at the Point of Sale): Systems that
facilitate electronic funds transfers at retail locations, allowing customers to
pay using debit or credit cards.
• Fax Machines: Devices that send and receive documents over a telephone
network
• Audio-Input Devices: Hardware used to capture sound, such as microphones
• Speech-Recognition Devices: Systems that convert spoken language into
digital text
• Video-Input Devices: Devices that capture video footage such as digital
cameras
• Radio-Frequency Identification (RFI): Read data stored in RFID tags,
commonly used in inventory tracking and identification.
OUTPUT DEVICES
An output device is any type of hardware component that conveys
information to one or more people.

Speakers,
Data
Monitors Printers headphones,
projectors
and earbuds

Types of Output Devices

o Hardcopy Output devices
o Softcopy Output Devices
Hardcopy Output devices
They produce physical, tangible copies of data, usually on paper. Such
as;
• Printers: produces text and graphics on a physical medium
o Impact Printers
o Non-Impact Printers
• Plotters: produce high-precision drawings
 Impact printers
• Form characters and graphics on a
piece of paper by striking a
mechanism against an inked ribbon
that physically contacts the paper
• A dot-matrix printer produces printed
images when tiny wire pins on a print
head mechanism strike an inked
ribbon
• A line printer prints an entire line at a
time
Nonimpact printers
• Forms characters and graphics on a piece of paper without
actually striking the paper. Examples;
Ink-jet Photo Laser Thermal
printers printers printers printers
• Printers with a higher dpi (dots per inch) produce a higher quality
output
Nonimpact printers…….
Thermal Printer: Uses heat to print on specially coated thermal paper.
• Common uses: Receipts, labels, barcode printing.
• Advantages:
• Limitations:
Laser Printer: Uses a laser beam to form images.
• Common uses: Office documents, bulk printing.
• Advantages:
• Limitations:
Nonimpact printers…….
Inkjet Printer: Sprays tiny droplets of ink directly onto the paper.
• Common uses: Documents, images, photo printing at home or small offices.
• Advantages:
• Limitations:
Photo Printer: Special type of inkjet printer designed for high-quality photo printing.
• Common uses: Printing photographs with lab-quality resolution.
• Advantages:
• Limitations:
 Plotters
Specialized output device used to produce high-precision
drawings by drawing lines with instead of printing dots like
regular printers.
Advantages
• High Precision: Ideal for detailed drawings.
• Large Format Printing: Can handle big paper sizes e.g., A1
Disadvantages
Softcopy Output Devices
Devices that display or present data in electronic format.
• Projector: Projects visual output onto a large surface (e.g., a wall or
screen). Used for presentations, education, entertainment.
• Speaker: Outputs audio signals (music, spoken words)
• Headphones / Earphones: Provide personal audio output. For
listening to sound privately (e.g., music, calls)
• Monitor / Screen: Displays visual output (text, images, videos). For
general computing, gaming, design, office work.
Softcopy Output Devices….

Monitor Types Based on Display Standards

Type Full Name Description

Video Graphics An early display standard used
VGA Array in older computers.
Enhanced version of VGA;
SVGA Super Video improved resolution and color
Graphics Array depth.
Extended Graphics Widely used in projectors and
XGA Array early flat-panel displays.