INFORMATION SHEET 1.1.

5
Storage, Input and Output
Devices

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, STUDENT(S) MUST be able to:
1. identify the output and input device
2. explain, elaborate and classify the different computer peripherals and
its components
INTRODUCTION
A peripheral is a piece of computer hardware that is added to a
computer in order to expand its abilities. The term peripheral is used to
describe those devices that are optional in nature, as opposed to hardware
that is either demanded or always required in principle. There are all different
kinds of peripherals you can add your computer. The main distinction among
peripherals is the way they are connected to your computer. They can be
connected internally or externally.
A computer peripheral is any external device that provides either input
or output. Peripherals typically fall into the hardware category and include
optional system components.
Computer peripherals are add-on hardware to the computer to expand
its abilities or improve its performance. By adding memory, computers are
able to perform a lot better, or by adding video cards, the computers
graphics create more detail. These are just some of the peripherals, although
there is a lot more you can put on your PC some of them may not be
compatible.
Compatibility maybe an issue to some of the peripherals and may even
cause the worst outcome –the PC refuses to boot or the PC refuses to
recognize the peripheral being added. The easiest way to solve that would be
figuring out where it started and you can start from there.
Technically, every piece of hardware inside your PC requires a driver to
communicate and function with the operating system, the software
applications, and other hardware components in your computer.
INPUT DEVICE
In computing, an input device is any peripheral (piece of computer
hardware equipment) used to provide data and control signals to an
information processing system such as a computer or other information
appliance. Examples of input devices include keyboards, mouse, scanners,
digital cameras and joysticks.
Many input devices can be classified according to:
 modality of input (e.g. mechanical motion, audio, visual, etc.)
 the input is discrete (e.g. key presses) or continuous (e.g. a mouse's
position, though digitized into a discrete quantity, is fast enough to be
considered continuous)
 the number of degrees of freedom involved (e.g. two-dimensional
traditional mice, or three-dimensional navigators designed
for CAD applications)
Pointing devices, which are input devices used to specify a position
in space, can further be classified according to:
Whether the input is direct or indirect. With direct input, the input space
coincides with the display space, i.e. pointing is done in the space where
visual feedback or the pointer appears. Touchscreens and light pens involve
direct input. Examples involving indirect input include the mouse and
trackball.
Whether the positional information is absolute (e.g. on a touch screen) or
relative (e.g. with a mouse that can be lifted and repositioned)
Commonly used input devices
 A 'keyboard' is a human interface device which is represented as a
layout of buttons. Each button, or key, can be
used to either input a linguistic
character to a computer, or to call upon a
particular function of the computer.
Traditional keyboards use spring-based buttons, though
newer variations employ virtual keys, or even projected
keyboards.
o A pointing device is any human
interface device that allows a user
to input spatial data to a
computer. In the case of mice and
touchpads, this is usually achieved
by detecting movement across a
physical surface.
 Audio input devices
In the fashion of video devices, audio devices are used to either
capture or create sound. In some cases, an audio output device can be
used as an input device, in order to capture produced sound.
o Microphones
o MIDI keyboard or other digital musical instrument

 Image and Video input devices are used to digitize images or video
from the outside world into the computer. The information can be
stored in a multitude of formats depending on the user's requirement.

o Digital camera
o Digital camcorder
o Webcam
o Microsoft Kinect Sensor
o Image scanner
o Fingerprint scanner
o Barcode reader
o 3D scanner
o Laser rangefinder
OUTPUT DEVICE
An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to
communicate the results of data processing carried out by an information
processing system (such as a computer) which converts the electronically
generated information into human-readable form.

A display device is an output device that visually conveys text, graphics,

and video information. Information shown on a display device is called
soft copy because the information exists electronically and is displayed for a
temporary period of time. Display devices include CRT monitors, LCD
monitors and displays, gas plasma monitors, and televisions.
The following are also examples of input devices

 Speakers – an output device that produce sounds

 Headphones – it is an output device use to listen sounds in a single
mode function. Normally used for a single person who do not want to
interrupt in specific area with annoying noise. E.g. public places.
 Screen (Monitor)
 Printer
 Voice output communication aid
 Automotive navigation system
 Braille embosser
 Projector
  Plotter
 Television
 Radio
 Punched card input/output

STORAGE DEVICE
What are storage devices?
A storage, storage media, or storage medium, a storage device is a hardware
device capable of holding information. The computer has many types of data
storage devices. Some of them can be classified as the removable data
Storage Devices and the others as the non-removable data Storage
Devices.

Primary Storage
is also known as main storage or memory, is the main area in a computer in
which data is stored for quick access by the computer's processor.
Secondary Storage
Referred to as external memory and secondary storage is a storage medium
that holds information until it is deleted or overwritten regardless if the
computer
has power. It refers to storage devices and storage media that are not always
directly accessible by a computer. This differs from primary storage
technology, such as an internal hard drive, which is constantly available.
Hard disk drive vs. Solid state drive
Meanwhile, a hard drive uses a mechanical arm with a read/write head
to move around and read information from the right location on a
storage platter. This difference is what makes SSD so much faster. As
an analogy, what’s quicker? Having to walk across the room to retrieve
a book to get information or simply magically having that book open in
front of you when you need it? That’s how an HDD compares to an
SSD; it simply requires more physical labor (mechanical movement) to
get information.
 Solid State Drive

Hard Disk Drive

http://www.storagereview.com/ssd_vs_hdd
To aid you even more, here are some rules to follow when you
decide which drive is best for you:
If:
 You need lots of storage capacity, up to more TB
 Don’t want to spend much money
 Don’t care too much about how fast a computer boots up or
opens programs - then get a hard drive (HDD).
If:
 You are willing to pay for faster performance
 Don’t mind limited storage capacity or can work around that -
then get a solid-state drive (SSD).
ODD (Optical Disc Drive)
 CDs tend to be used for large files (but smaller than 1Gb) which
are too big for a floppy disc to hold such as music and general
animation.
 DVDs are used to hold very large files (several Gb) such as
movie films. Both CDs and DVDs are portable i.e. they can be
transported from one computer to another. Both can be used to
store computer data.
 CD ROM/DVD ROM Applications which require the prevention
of deletion of data, accidental or otherwise. CDs used by
software companies for distributing software programs and data.
 CD R/DVD R Applications which require a single
‘burning’ of data, e.g. CDs - recording of
music downloads from the Internet,
recording of music from MP3 format,
recording of data for archiving or
backup purposes. DVDs – recording of
film movies and television programs.
 CD RW/DVD RW Applications
which require the updating of information and
ability to record over old data. Not suitable for music recording
but is very useful for keeping generations of files. DVDs have
between five and ten times the capacity of CDs.

USB flash drives are typically removable and

rewritable, much smaller
than a floppy disk. Storage
capacities
typically range from 64 MB to 64 GB. USB flash
drives offer potential advantages over other
portable storage devices, particularly
the floppy disk.

They have a more compact shape, operate faster,

hold much more data, have a more durable design, and
operate more reliably due to their lack of moving parts. Flash drives
are widely used to transport files and backup data from computer to
computer.
Flash memory cards
A memory card or flash memory card is a solid-state electronic flash
memory data storage device used with digital cameras, handheld and
Tablet/Mobile computers, music players, video game consoles, and
other electronics.

External/Portable hard disk are good fun because you can carry
data about all over the place and transfer information, programs,
pictures, etc. between computers.

Nowadays, most new PCs have built-in slots for a variety of memory
cards; Memory Stick, CompactFlash, SD, etc. Some digital gadgets
support more than one memory card to ensure compatibility.
Cloud Storage
It is a model of networked storage where data is stored not in the user's
computer, but in virtualized pools of storage which are usually hosted by
third parties.

 OneDrive formerly SkyDrive is a file hosting service that allows

users to upload and sync files to cloud storage and then access them
from a Web browser or their local device.
 Dropbox is a cloud storage service that lets you easily store and
share files with other people, and it lets you access your files from a
mobile device as well.
 Evernote lets you type notes, clip web pages, take photos, and
organize all of them from your computer or mobile device.
  Mozy and Carbonite can automatically back up your data in case
your computer is lost, stolen, or damaged.
 Google Drive - is a cloud storage service that owned by Google,
Inc. lets you save and retrieve files anytime, anywhere

Network-attached storage (NAS) is file-level computer data storage

connected to a computer network providing data access to a heterogeneous
group of clients.
 SELF CHECK 1.1.5
IDENTIFICATION
1. a hardware device capable of
holding information.
2. is any piece of computer
hardware equipment used to communicate the results of data
processing carried out by an information processing system (such as
a computer) which converts the electronically generated information into
human-readable form.
3. is the primary storage device.
4. are typically removable and rewritable,
much smaller than a floppy disk. Storage capacities typically range from 64
MB to 64 GB.
5. is a model of networked enterprise
storage where data is stored not in the user's computer, but in virtualized
pools of storage which are generally hosted by third parties.
ENUMERATION
1. Give 5 examples of output devices
2. Give 5 examples of input devices
TRUE OR FALSE: Write T if the statement is TRUE and write F if the
statement is FALSE
1. Monitor is an output device
2. Keyboard is an input device
3. Flash drive is an input device
4. Cloud storage is an output device
5. Memory is secondary storage
 ANSWER KEY 1.1.5
IDENTIFICATION
1. Storage device a hardware device capable of holding information.
2. Output devices is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to
communicate the results of data processing carried out by an information
processing system (such as a computer) which converts the electronically
generated information into human-readable form.
3. Memory/RAM is the primary storage device.
4. Flash Drive are typically removable and rewritable, much smaller than a
floppy disk. Storage capacities typically range from 64 MB to 64 GB.
5. Cloud Storage is a model of networked enterprise storage where data is
stored not in the user's computer, but in virtualized pools of storage which
are generally hosted by third parties.
ENUMERATION
3. Give 5 examples of output devices
a. Printer, monitor, projector, speaker, earphone
4. Give 5 examples of input devices
a. scanner, finger print scanner, microphone, keyboard,
mouse, webcam

TRUE OR FALSE: Write T if the statement is TRUE and write F if the

statement is FALSE
6. Monitor is output device T
7. Keyboard is an input device T
8. Flash drive is an input device F
9. Cloud storage is an output device F
10. Memory is secondary storage F