COMPUTER DEVICES
Input/Output, Processing, Communication and storage devices!
INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES
Input devices allow us to enter unprocessed data into a computer so we can edit it and do whatever and then gives us an output which we can understand using output devices like printers and monitors.
Examples of input devices are keyboards and mouses. The advantage of a keyboard is that it lets you input text into a computer very quickly and a mouse is an easy way to select icons or options on the screen.
Examples of output devices are computer monitors and printers. The advantage of a monitor is that it lets you see clearly what you are currently doing and the advantage of a printer is that it lets you create a hard copy of your work.
Touch screens
Touchscreens are screens that are sensitive to the touch of a finger or stylus. They are widely used on ATM's, Sat-Navs, tablets and smartphones. In 1971 Sam Hurst developed the touchscreen: it was a little different to the one we have nowadays as it was not transparent but it was still the same idea. Touchscreens became very popular in 2007 when Apple introduced the I-Phone.
Monitor
A monitor is an output device that lets you see what actions you are performing on the computer it is connected to. It is a screen connected to a base designed to stand near the computer itself. Some modern computers are made of a monitor with the computer mounted on the back, this takes up a lot less space and looks a lot nicer. An example of an all in one computer is the Apple I-Mac.
Optical Drive
Optical drives retrieve (read) and write or "burn" data on optical discs like CDs and DVDs. Optical drives use lasers to record data, unlike hard drives which store it magnetically. They are very useful for putting data onto a CD or DVD which can hold a lot more information than say a USB.
Hard Drive-HDD
There are two types of hard drives: HDD and SSD
HDD stands for: hard disk drive. It is the main, and usually largest, data storage device in a computer. The operating system, software titles and most other files are stored in the hard disk drive. The hard disk drive uses magnetism to store data. HDDs do not retain data after their power supply has been cut.
SSD stands for: solid state disk. It uses integrated circuits as memory to store data as it contains no moving parts unlike HDDs and floppy disks. Also the SSD retains data even when it has no power supply.
HDD stands for: hard disk drive. It is the main, and usually largest, data storage device in a computer. The operating system, software titles and most other files are stored in the hard disk drive. The hard disk drive uses magnetism to store data. HDDs do not retain data after their power supply has been cut.
SSD stands for: solid state disk. It uses integrated circuits as memory to store data as it contains no moving parts unlike HDDs and floppy disks. Also the SSD retains data even when it has no power supply.