1. 1
Lesson 2
Input, Output, and Processing
Computer Literacy
BASICS: A
Comprehensive Guide
to IC3, 3rd Edition
Morrison / Wells

2. Lesson 2
Objectives
 Identify and describe standard and specialized input
devices.
 Identify and describe standard and specialized
output devices.
 Identify and describe how input and output devices
are connected to the computer.
 Consider computer performance factors.
 Identify and match vocabulary words from Lesson
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3. Lesson 2
Vocabulary
 audio input
 biometrics
 digital camera
 expansion slot
 FireWire
 inkjet printer
 input
 keyboard
 laser printer
 modem
 monitor
 mouse
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4. Lesson 2
Vocabulary (continued)
 output
 plug-and-play
 pointing device
 port
 printer
 scanner
 trackball
 Universal Serial Bus
(USB)
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5. Lesson 2
Introduction
 Input, which is data or instructions, must be
entered into the computer and then stored on
a storage media device.
 To turn the data into information, the CPU
process the data.
 After data is processed, it is “presented” to
the user through an output device.
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6. Lesson 2
Standard Input Devices
 Input devices enable you to enter data and
commands into the computer.
 Keyboard:
 Most commonly used input device. Besides a
traditional keyboard, popular types include:
– Ergonomic
– Cordless or wireless
– Specialized
– Security
– Foldable or flexible
– Laser virtual keyboard
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7. Lesson 2
 Mouse:
 Most commonly used pointing
device. Types include:
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Standard Input Devices (continued)
 Pointing Devices:
 An input device that allows you to position the
pointer on the screen.
– Mechanical
– Optomechanical
– Optical
– Wireless Optical mouse

8. Lesson 2
Standard Input Devices (continued)
 Trackball:
 A pointing device that works like a mouse
turned upside down; the ball is on top,
operated by your thumb and fingers.
 Touchpad:
 Common feature on laptops; a specialized
surface that converts the motion and position
of your fingers to a position on the screen.
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9. Lesson 2
Standard Input Devices (continued)
 Pointing Stick:
 A pressure-sensitive device located on the
keyboard of many notebook computers and
moved with the forefinger.
 Audio Input:
 The process of inputting sound into the
computer, including speech, sound effects,
and music.
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10. Lesson 2
Standard Output Devices
 Output is data that has been processed into
a useful format. Output devices display
information.
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 Monitors:
 Display device for a
desktop computer.
Varieties include CRT,
LCD, and gas plasma.
CRT monitor

11. Lesson 2
Standard Output Devices
(continued)
 Printers:
 Used to produce a paper or hard copy of the
processing result. Consider speed, print
quality, and price when choosing.
 Laser Printers:
 Produces high-quality output using the same
technology as copier machines.
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12. Lesson 2
Standard Output Devices
(continued)
 Inkjet Printers:
 Uses a nonimpact process to provide good-quality
color printing for less expense than a
laser printer.
 Speakers:
 Generate sound such as music. Individuals
can use headsets or earphones to hear
privately.
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13. Lesson 2
Specialized Input Devices
 Digital Cameras:
 Pictures are stored digitally and then
transferred to the computer’s memory.
 Game Controllers:
 Joysticks and wheels are
most often used for
games.
Joystick
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14. Lesson 2
Specialized Input Devices
(continued)
 Scanners/Bar Code Readers:
 Can change images into codes for input into
the computer. Various types include:
– Image scanners
– Bar code scanners
– Magnetic scanners
– Wireless scanners
– Optical character recognition (OCR) and optical
mark recognition (OMR)
Optical
scanner
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15. Lesson 2
 Touch Display Screen:
 Special screen with
pictures or shapes; you
use your fingers to make
selections.
 Stylus:
 Pen-like writing instruments to input
information to a PDA or other mobile device.
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Specialized Input Devices
(continued)

16. Lesson 2
Specialized Input Devices
(continued)
 Environmental Probes and Sensors:
 Used with a Web browser to monitor
elements of the work area such as humidity,
pollution, or security.
 Remote Controls:
 Used for televisions, lights, and fans as well
as for industry and business applications.
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17. Lesson 2
Specialized Input Devices
(continued)
 Security Devices:
 Biometric devices consist of a reader or
scanning device and software that converts the
scanned information into a digital format.
 The way biometric technology works:
– Enrollment: User establishes baseline measurement
– Submission: User presents proof of identity
– Verification: System compares samples
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18. Lesson 2
Specialized Input Devices
(continued)
 Virtual Devices:
 Use the synchronized positioning of light-emitting
and sensing devices to detect user
input; for example, a virtual computer
keyboard.
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19. Lesson 2
Specialized Input Devices
(continued)
 Touch-Sensitive Pads:
 On a portable device, enable you to scroll
through a list and make choices.
 Input Devices for the Physically
Challenged:
 Various special devices are available that
can be operated in different ways, such as a
keyboard that can be operated with the feet.
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20. Lesson 2
Specialized Output Devices
 Projectors: Mostly used for presentations.
 Fax machines and fax modems: Transmit and
receive documents through phone lines or
computer.
 Multifunction printer: Combines various output
options such as printing, scanning, and copying.
 Control devices/robots: Robotics is the study,
design, and use of robot systems for
manufacturing.
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21. Lesson 2
Specialized Output Devices
(continued)
 Specialized Printers:
 Line printer: High-speed printer attached primarily to
large computers.
 Thermal: Forms characters by heating paper.
 Mobile: Small, battery-powered printer.
 Label and postage: Prints labels, including postage,
on adhesive-type paper.
 Plotters/large-format: For drawing and drafting
output; used by engineers, architects, and artists.
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22. Lesson 2
Specialized Output Devices
(continued)
 Output Devices for the Physically
Challenged:
 Various special devices are available:
– Screen magnifiers: Enlarge information on the
computer screen.
– Screen readers: Use speech synthesizers to read
content for people who are blind or visually impaired.
– Voice synthesizers: A voice changes written computer
text into synthetic speech.
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23. Lesson 2
Connecting Input and Output
Devices to the Computer
 Ports and Connectors:
 A port, or jack, is an interface
to which a peripheral device
attaches to or communicates
with the system unit.
 Besides traditional, FireWire,
and USB ports, special-purpose
ports include SCSI,
IrDA, and Bluetooth.
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24. Lesson 2
Connecting Input and Output
Devices to the Computer (continued)
 Hardware Installation:
 For most hardware devices to work, they
need a set of instructions that communicates
with the computer’s operating system, called
a driver.
 If the operating system already contains the
driver, it performs an automatic plug-and-play
installation for newly connected devices.
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25. Lesson 2
Computer Performance Factors
 A variety of factors affect a computer’s
performance:
– Microprocessor: The higher the generation, the
faster and better the processing speed.
– Random access memory (RAM): Helps increase
the processing cycle and enhance performance.
– Hard disk: Bigger and faster process data faster.
– Video: Can enhance or slow down performance.
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26. Lesson 2
Summary
In this lesson, you learned:
 Input devices enable you to input data and
commands into the computer. The most common
input devices are the keyboard and mouse.
 Other types of input devices include the trackball,
joystick, wheel, pointing stick, graphics tablet, touch
display screen, stylus, voice recognition devices,
touchpad, scanner, digital camera, video input, and
biometric input.
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27. Lesson 2
Summary (continued)
 Monitors and printers are examples of output
devices. Monitors produce soft copy. Printers
are used to produce a paper or hard copy of
the processed result.
 Criteria for selecting a printer include speed,
print quality, and cost.
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Morrison / Wells CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E

28. Lesson 2
Summary (continued)
 Input and output devices must be connected to the
computer. Some input and output devices
communicate with the computer through a physical
connection. Wireless devices communicate with the
computer through infrared or radio waves.
 Peripheral devices are connected to the computer
through serial, parallel, and Universal Serial Bus
(USB) ports. USB is a newer standard expected to
replace serial and parallel ports.
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29. Lesson 2
Summary (continued)
 FireWire is a type of external bus that can
connect up to 63 external devices.
 SCSI, IrDA, and Bluetooth are special-purpose
ports.
 A computer’s performance is affected by the
speed of the processor, the amount of RAM,
hard disk size and speed, capability of
monitor, and disk organization.
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Morrison / Wells CLB: A Comp Guide to IC3 3E