There are numerous output devices for a PC. An output device is classed as '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) to the outside world.'
Main examples of PC output devices are:
- Printers (Laser, Ink jet and dot matrix)
- Monitors
- Headphones
- Speakers
- Projector
Another output devices could be a compact disc on which data has been burnt on from the PC and can be transferred elsewhere such as other PCs.
Unusual output devices can be mechanical devices such as robotic arms. There are also such things as 'plotters' which are printer devices used for computer aided design. They can produce large detailed drawings unlike printers as they have a mechanically moving pen. They are used for printing out plans for such things as houses or car parts.
Explanation of input devices and functionality
Not only are there output devices, there are also input devices. An input device is 'any peripheral (piece of computer hardware equipment) used to provide data and controls signals to a computer for example and other information appliances. Keyboards, pointing devices (computer mouse), gamepads, webcams, and microphones are examples of input devices.
There are also data ports on computers such as Ethernet to connect to the internet not wirelessly but by a cable, serial ports, FireWire, parallel port and USB (Universal Serial Bus) which connect such things as digital cameras, portable media players and keyboards to the device.
The central processing unit also known as the CPU is the part of the computer system which carries out the instructions of a program sequentially. It is more formally known as the 'Brains of the computer'. Not only are they in computers and laptops, they are also in such things as DVD players and mobile phone
