ICT SECOND TERM SS1 WEEK 1 AND 2 NOTES

Output Device
An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to communicate the
results of data processing carried out by a computer to the outside world.

Examples of Output Device

(a) Monitor
(b) Printer
(c) Speaker
(d) Plotter
(e) Projector
(f) I/O devices(USB drives)

Monitor:
The most frequently used output device is the monitor also known as Visual Display Unit
(VDU). The monitor is the electronic device used to displaying output (Soft copy)
generated by the computer. Images are formed on the monitor by individual dots or picture
elements called PIXELs. It is capable of producing clear images in different colours. A
computer monitor comprises the display device, circuitry and an enclosure. Display
device is where the text and graphics are displayed. Circuitry is the entire electronic
components located in the monitor. The internal electronic components i.e the ports and
wires at the back of the monitor transfer electricity into the internal electronic components.
This supplies the monitor power in order to display text and graphics.

Enclosure are panels covering the monitor.

Types of Monitor
(a) CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) Monitors
(b) LED (Liquid Crystal) Monitors
(c) Plasma Monitors
(d) Touch Screen Monitors
(e) OLED (Organic Light Emitting Display) Monitors

Functions of Monitor
(a) The function of a computer monitor basically is to display text and graphics
(b) Output from a computer’s memory or central processing unit is binary. It must be
converted into human language and displayed for the user. A computer monitor is
the end point of that conversion
 Output Devices
Printer
In computing, a printer is a peripheral which produces a text and / or graphics of
documents stored in electronic form, usually on physical print media such as paper or
transparencies.

Types of Printer
(a) Impact printer
(b) Non – Impact printer
An impact printer uses a mechanism called a “head” to strike an ink ribbon that places a
character on a piece or paper. Impact printers are typically noisy because the printer head
is always striking the paper and the head is moving from side to side. Impact printers
come in many types, including do – matrix, Daisy – wheel and line printers.
1. Dot – matrix printer
The dot – matrix printer is the most common type of impact printer that was used
with the personal computer. A dot – matrix printer uses a drum that is struck by a
print head that contains pins that place dots on the paper. These dots are formed
in the shape of a letter, number or character that was typed into a document. The
quality of a dot – matrix printer was only 240 dpi (dots per inch)
2. Daisy – wheel printer
A daisy – wheel printer is similar to how a manual or automatic typewriter functions.
There is metal or plastic wheel that has separate spokes in the form of number,
letter or character marked on them. When a page is being printed, a spoke is
striking the printer ribbon and making an impression on the paper. A daisy – wheel
printer cannot print graphics and is not capable of different font types without
changes to the printer wheel.
3. Line printers
A line printer is similar to a daisy wheel printer except it uses a print drum or a print
chain. The drum or chain is related or spun over the paper’s surface. The paper
and ribbon are pushed into the drum or chain, which then marks the paper. This
allowed multiple letters or numbers to be printed on the same line, resulting in
faster speeds then a daisy – wheel printer.
Non – impact printers give both higher print quality and faster printing speed than
impact printers. Because of this, non – impact printers are popular with both
professionals and consumers.
1. Ink jet printer
Inkjet printers use a print head that sprays tiny, precisely – controlled droplets of
ink directly onto paper. Like a dot – matrix printer, it forms characters from dots,
though the inkjet’s dots are smaller. The ink jet’s mechanism is similar to the dot
 matrix’s, simply moving the print head back and forth across the paper under the
control of a microprocessor. The spraying actions is nearly inaudible, the printer’s
paper – feed mechanism is louder than the printing itself. Many print with a four –
colour cartridge, three primary colours plus black and can produce graphics with
any combinations of colours. Inkjet printers broke with tradition, using the
traditional 8 – ½ x 11 cut sheet paper typewriters use, instead of continuous – feed
paper.
2. Laser jet printer
Laser printing is a non impact technology that borrows heavily from office copier
designs. It has a metal drum that acquires a static electric charge wherever light
shines on it. A laser scans across the drum, forming letters from tiny dots as an ink
jet does. A mechanism coats finely – produced toner on the drum, which the static
charge holds and transfers it to a paper sheet through heating. Since it prints a
whole page at a time, a laser printer is faster than most ink jet printers. Like inkjet
printers, laser printers can produce finely – detailed graphics. Basic models use
black toner only; more advanced ones have coloured toner. Laser printers also
print on individual sheets of paper. It uses photoreceptor drum instead of print head
in inkjet.
3. Thermal printer
It produces a printed image by selectively heating coated thermo chromicor
thermal paper; when the paper passes over the thermal print head. The coating
turns black in the areas where it is heated, producing an image. Two – colour direct
thermal printers are capable of printing both black and an additional colour (often
red), by applying heat at two different temperatures. It prints using very small wires
to burn a special paper. It uses the dot matrix principle and is noiseless.

Comparative study of common printer

Impact printer Non – impact printer
1. It print slowly and noisy It print faster and noiseless
2. The ink ribbon has a short lifespan Its cartridges and drums
are
and has to be replaced frequently recyclable/reusable
3. Cost less to purchase Cost more to purchase
4. Its printing production is of low Its printing production is of
good
quality quality
5. It maintaining is not too high The cost of maintaining is
high
Assignment: Make comparison between
(a) Inkjet printer and Laser printer
(b) Dot matrix printer and Daisy wheel printer