Device Type Definition Use Advantage Disadvantage

Keyboard Input Common method of data entry in Data entry, text typing, formula editing. Easy to use for most people. Can lead to RSI when using it
device computer systems. They can be for prolonged periods of time.
wired, wireless or even virtual when
using a touchscreen.

Numeric Input A numeric Keypad is used to enter 1. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) - Faster than standard - Small keys which make input
Keypads device numbers only (Although some have 2. Point of sale terminals(POS) keyboards when entering more difficult.
a function key to allow alphabetic 3. Chip and pin devices when paying by numeric data. - Sometimes the order of the
characters to be input) credit/debit cards. - Easy to carry around numbers on the keypad is not
4. Fast entry of numeric data into because they are small. intuitive.
spreadsheet.

Mouse Input Pointing device where the user 1. Opening, closing and minimising -Faster method for choosing -Easy to damage
device controls the position of a pointer by software an option -Difficult to use if no flat
moving the mouse around. It has 2. Grouping, moving and delete files -Very quick navigation through surface is available
two buttons, the left one is used to 3. Image editing applications
select items and the right one 4. Controlling the position of a pointer on -Does not need a large desk
brings up drop down menus. It also the screen area
has a scroll button to move through
a document

Touchpad Input Pointing device in laptop computers 1. Opening, closing and minimising -Faster method for choosing -More difficult to control the
device software an option pointer
2. Grouping, moving and delete files -Very quick navigation through -Difficult to use when doing
3. Image editing applications operations such as drag and
4. Controlling the position of a pointer on -Does not need a large desk drop
the screen area
-No need for separate mouse
-Does not require a flat surface
to work properly
Trackerball Input Similar to a mouse, except that the 1. Good alternative for people with RSI -Does not need the same fine -High cost
device user controls the pointer by moving 2. Faster than a mouse to navigate control as a mouse -User might need training
the ball on the side of the device through process screens -Easier to use for people with because it is not standard
3. Used in cars to select functions such wrist/hand problems equipment
as radio, music, etc. -More accurate than a mouse
-More robust than a mouse
-Needs less desk space

Remote Input Used for the operation of other 1. Televisions, satellite systems, -Can be operated from any -Very easy to block the signal
control device devices using infrared signals. It DVD/Blu ray players use remote reasonable distance
has plenty of buttons to select controls to alter functions (volume, -Safe to select options in
options. on/off, etc) hazardous processes
2. Used to control multimedia systems
3. Used in industrial applications to
remotely control processes

Joysticks Input By gripping the stick, a pointer on 1. Used in video games -Easy to navigate the screen -More difficult to control on
device the screen can be controlled. 2. Used in simulators to mimic actual -Control is more realistic screen pointer
Buttons are used to make controls
selections or gaming purposes.

Driving Input Used in video games, it simulates 1. Used in video games (racing games) -Steering movements seem -Very expensive device
(steering) device the turning of a steering wheel and 2. Used in simulators to mimic actual more natural -Can be too sensitive, feeling
wheel pedals allow you to accelerate and vehicle controls -The “driving experience” is unrealistic
brake near to how it works in real life -Non existent feedback

Touch Input The user can choose an option by 1. Used in self service tills -Faster entry of options -Limited number of input
screens device simply touching a button/icon on the 2. Used inPublic information systems at -Very easy method for options available
screen without any pointing device airports, railway stations, etc choosing options -Can lead to health problems if
3. Used in Mobile phones, tablets and -User friendly method an operator has to use the
navigation systems -Option to expand the size of system frequently
4. Interactive white board in education display -Screen can get dirty without
5. Can also work as an output device touching it
(can work as a flat screen monitor)

Scanners Input Used to enter information from hard
device copy into a computer. The
document is scanned by a light
source and produces a computer
readable image
1. Scan in a document and convert into
a format for use in different softwares
2. Producing records of old
books/documents in case they are
lost/destroyed
3. Scan in photographs
-Images can be stored for
editing at a later date
-It is possible to recover
damaged documents and
photographs by simply
scanning them
-Quality can be limited
depending on the resolution of
the scanner
-With high resolution or colour
scanning, the process can be
slow
Digital Input Cameras were the photographs are
cameras device stored on a memory card and can
be transferred to computers
Microphones Input Either built into the computer or are
device external devices, are used to record
or transmit what the user is saying
Sensors Input Analogue sensors input data to a
device computer. They measure some
physical quantity that is
continuously changing
Light pens Input They contain sensors that send
device signals to a computer whenever
light changes are detected. They
only work on CRT monitors.
Magnetic DDE Read information on the magnetic
stripe device stripe found on the back of a credit
readers or debit card, that contains
informations such as the account
number, sort code, etc
1. Taking photographs
2. Data capture device
3. Used by dentists to help them
diagnose any problem
1. Input speech/sounds to be used in
various applications
2. A software can convert the speech
into text
3. Sensor to pick up sound
4. Used in video conference
applications
Measure temperatures, pressure, light,
sound, humidity or pH
1. Selecting objects on CRT screens
2. Drawing in screen
1. On credit/debit cards for use at ATMs
ot EFTPOS
2. Security devices to allow entry to
buildings, hotel rooms and much
more
-Better quality photos than
smartphones or traditional
cameras
-Faster to upload photographs
to a computer
-No money needed to print
anymore
-Faster to read in text than to
type it in using a keyboard
-Improving safety with voice
activation systems
-More accurate readings taken
-Reading are continuous
-Any necessary action or
warning will be initiated
immediately
-Systems can be automatic,
removing the need of human
intervention
-Greater accuracy than touch
screens
-They are small
-Easy to use
-Fast data entry
-Error free
-Secure
-Prevents access to restricted
areas
-Not affected by oil or water
-No moving parts
-The transferring, storing and
manipulating of images require
some knowledge of how
computers work
-Images need to be
compressed to reduce the
amount of memory used
-Smartphones are capable of
taking photos with lots of new
functions
- Sound files use a lot of
memory
-Voice recognition software is
not as accurate as typing in
manually
-Faulty sensors can give
spurious results
-Most sensors are analogue,
so they require a conversion
using ADC
-Problems with lag
-Only work with CRT monitors
-Not so accurate when
drawing
-Old technology
-If the magnetic stripe gets
damaged, information is lost
-Does not work at distance
-information is not human
readable
Contactless DDE Allow customers to pay for items 1. Payment -Faster transactions -More expensive than normal
debit card device worth up to a certain amount of -Contactless card system is debit/credit cards
readers money without entering their PIN secure -A thief with a suitable reader
-User does not have to worry can monitor your card
about typing errors transaction
-Retailers have no access to -Can take money twice if the
customers card information customer uses it as a chip and
PIN card
-Transactions are limited

Chip and DDE Similar to smart card readers but 1. Where payments are used using -More secure than contactless -Can take to fraud (PIN can be
PIN readers device are used at EFTPOS terminals cards payments read by someone else)
-Robust system

Radio DDE Use radio waves to read and 1. Livestock tracking -Tags can be read from -Tag collision
frequency device capture information stored in a tag 2. Retail distance -Waves are easy to jam or
identification 3. Admission passes -Very fast read rate interrupt
readers 4. Libraries -Bulk detection is possible -Expensive and can be hacked

Optical mark DDE Device that can read marks written 1. Read questionnaires, multiple choice -Very fast way of inputting the -The forms need to be
recognition/ device on pen or pencil on a form. examination papers or other where results of a survey carefully designed to make
reader responses are registered in the form -More accurate than keying in sure the marks/shading are
of lines or shaded areas data correctly positioned
-More accurate than OCR -Problems if they have not
methods been filled in correctly

Barcode DDE Used to read information in the form 1. Used in supermarkets to mark -Much faster than keying data -Expensive system to
readers device of a barcode. Usually used in goods’ price manually and fewer mistakes administer
supermarkets 2. Used in libraries to keep track of -Automatic stock control -Not foolproof
books on loan -Tried and trusted technology -Can be easily damaged

Optical DDE Converts text on hard copy 1. Processing of passports and identity -It is a much faster data entry -The system has difficulty
character device documents into a electronic form cards system than manually keying in reading some handwriting
recognition 2. Converting hard documents into data -Still not a very accurate
electronic form -Number of errors is reduced technique
3. Used in automatic number plate
recognition
4. Digisting historic newspapers and
rare books
QR code DDE Type of barcode that hold more 1. Used in advertising -They can hold much more -Many formats available
scanners device information than traditional 2. Contain links to apps information -Attaging, can be used to
barcodes 3. Wi-Fi authentication -Fewer error than with transmit malicious codes
4. Deliver augmented reality barcodes
5. Establish virtual online stores -Easier to read
-Easy to transmit
-Possible to encrypt QR codes,
which gives them greater
protection

CRT Output Old and least expensive type of 1. Only used in specialist areas -Can be clearly seen at a wider -Heavy and present weight
monitors device monitor. The image is made of tiny 2. Used with light pens range of angles -Run very hot and can cause
dots which are coloured red, green -Allow the use of light pens fires
or blue -Consume more power
-They can flicker

Monitors Output Screen made up of tiny light

(LED device emitting diodes that are red, green — — —
screens) or blue

Monitors Output Device that shows the result of 1. Main output device for most modern -Very efficient -Colour and contrast from
(LCD device computer processing in a format computers -Lightweight device various viewing angles can be
screens) that can be understood by a 2. Offer touch screen input -Do not suffer screen image inconsistent
human. In this case, creating an 3. Mobile phones, tablets, laptops and burn in -Motion blur
image of the system using liquid portable video games use LCD -Large variation of sizes -Lower contrast
crystals screens -Very sharp image resolution -Weak or stuck pixels

Multimedia Output Receive signals from a computer, 1. Training presentations -Bigger crowd can watch -Images can be fuzzy
projectors device television or DVD player and is 2. Advertising presentations -Avoids need for several -Expensive
projected on a large screen 3. Home cinema systems networked computers -Setting up is difficult

Laser Output Device that produces very high 1. Used where low noise is required -Fast printing -Only really fast if several
printers device quality hard copy output. The print 2. Fast, high quality and high volume -Very large print jobs copies are being made
rate per page is very quick if a large printing -High quality -Expensive to run
number of pages are being printed -Toner cartridges last longer -Produce ozone compounds

Inkjet Output Printers used to produce good 1. Low output volumes are required -High quality output -Slow output if several copies
Printers device quality hard copies. They do not 2. High quality printing for single pages -Cheaper than laser printers needed
have large buffer memories, so -Very lightweight -Cannot do large print jobs
printing is slower -Do not produce ozone -Printing can smudge
compounds -Expensive if used a lot
Dot matrix Output Old type of impact printer where a 1. Can be used in noisy or dirty -They can be used in any -Very noisy
printers device print head presses against an inked environments environment -Expensive to buy initially
ribbon. They are slow and noisy 2. Still widely used in till receipts -Carbon copies can be -Very slow poor quality printing
produced
-Very cheap to run and
maintain
-Easy to use if continuous
stationery is required

Graph Output Plotters print on paper with pen, 1. Architectural drawings -Very high quality output -Very slow printing
plotters device pencil or markers to draw 2. Engineering drawings -Able to produce large, -Expensive equipment
multiple continuous lines. 3. Cartoon characters monochrome and colour -Have a very large physical
drawings to a high accuracy footprint compared to a
-Able to print on a variety of printer
materials

3D Output Used in computer aided design, Being called the next industrial revolution, -Easier than ever -Potential to make
printers device can produce solid objects that these are some ambitions thought manufacturing of items counterfeit items or items
actually work 1. Prosthetic limbs -Rapid prototyping that infringe copyright
2. Items to allow precision -Medical benefits are -Can lead to dangerous
reconstructive surgery emerging and illegal activities
3. Wings and other aeroplane parts -Parts for machinery no -Potential job losses
4. Parts for vintage cards longer made could now be
5. Fashion and Art manufactured

Speakers Output A device that converts electrical 1. In smartphones and most of the
device signals into loud sound computers
2. Outputs sound from multimedia
presentations
3. Helps visually impaired people
4. Plays downloaded sound files
-Sound amplified through -Can be disturbing for
speakers can be much others
louder than the original -Can be quite expensive
-It can create a good -Can take a lot of desk
atmosphere when making a space
presentation
-Very simple technology
-Help visually impaired
people
Actuators Output A relay, solenoid or motor used 1. Control motors, pumps, switches, -Allow remote operation of -Could go wrong
device with a computer when it is used buzzers and so on many devices -Computer signals need to
to control devices 2. Allow a computer to control -Inexpensive devices be converted using DAC to
physical devices that normally enable computer control
require analogue inputs