Advantages and Disadvantages of Input and Output Devices
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- Created by: Jamie Lee
- Created on: 07-03-13 17:51
Keyboard
Advantages:
- They use a simple, old fashioned technology with little that can go wrong.
- People feel comfortable using them.
- They are easy to use.
- They are cheap to purchase.
Disadvantages:
- Keyboards are slow compared with some more automated input devices such as bar code readers.
- It can be hard to learn to type quickly.
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Concept Keyboards
Advantages:
- Number of symbols can be restricted so it is easier to use.
- Quick to input data.
- Good to use in places like takeaways to input an order quickly and easily.
Disadvantages:
- A restricted number of symbols can also be a disadvantage because it makes it difficult to produce any input outside a very limited group of inputs.
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Mouse
Advantages:
- They provide a fast method of input.
- They are intuitive to use because they involve pointing at things.
- They are cheap to buy.
Disadvantages:
- Mice can be easily damaged or vandalised.
- Some people, particularly if they have a physical disability, can find them difficult to use.
- Mice need a flat surface to be moved around on.
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Touchpad
Advantages:
- Integrated into a laptop for easier transport.
Disadvantages:
- Touchpads can be very small compared to the size of the computer screen.
- Some peopel find them harder to use than mice.
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Trackerball
Advantages:
- A trackerball is stationery and does not need a surface to be moved around on.
- It can be built into a machine like an information system and is nor likely to get damaged as easily as a mouse.
- It can also be used by disabled people who may not have the freedom of movement necessary to use other pointing devices.
Disadvantages:
- Can be difficult to use for some applications needing fine control.
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Joysticks
Advantages:
- Joysticks are used to play many games because they give the user the impression of being in control. There is also a direct and immediate result of the player's actions which adds to the enjoyment of the game.
- They are used to control aircraft because of their simplicity in a very complex environment.
- Severely Disabled people can use them to control motorised wheelchairs because they allow the user to give many different commands with very little physical movement.
Disadvantages:
- It is more difficult to control the fine movement of the pointer on the screen than with a mouse.
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Touchscreens
Advantages:
- They are difficult to vandalise compared with something like a mouse.
- They are largely weatherproof so can be in the open air like a station platform.
- They need no computing knowledge at all to be able to operate them.
Disadvantages:
- Disabled people can find them difficult to use.
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Graphics Tablet
Advantages:
- Great level of accuracy.
- Easy to draw and write on the computer.
Disadvantages:
- Not suitable for general use.
- They are usually expensive.
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Light Pen
Advantages:
- More Direct.
- Convenient for Applications.
Disadvantages:
- Require specially designed monitor.
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Scanners
Advantages:
- Accurate and can produce high quality images.
- All images can be scanner and enhanced with a graphics app.
Disadvantages:
- Images take up too much memory
- Images can lose quality when being scanned.
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Digital Camera
Advantages:
- No film required.
- Images can be viewed on the camera
- Images can be deleted on the camera
- Images can be edited on the camera
Disadvantages:
- More expensive
- Images must be downloaded from the camera onto a computer
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Webcams
Advantages:
- Easy to watch real time video
- Stay connected to family members
- Can be left on permanently
- Hold video conferences.
Disadvantages:
- Need to be connected to a computer has they have no memory.
- Usually low quality.
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Microphones
Advantages:
- Input is easier than using a computer.
Disadvantages:
- Sound recognition software through a microphone can be unreliable.
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Remote Controls
Advantages:
- Simple to use
- Convenient
Disadvantages:
- Advanced models have buttons only.
- Signal can interfere with other equipment.
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Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Advantages:
- Increases the efficiency and effectiveness of work.
- Can quickly convert written text into an electronic and editable version.
Disadvantages:
- It may not convert the data accurately.
- For a more accurate conversion, more expensive software is usually required.
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Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)
Advantages:
- Efficient way to input data into the computer.
Disadvantages:
- Documents for the OMR are complicated to design.
- The user has to follow the instructions.
- User can only make marks, not write information.
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Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)
Advantages:
- Documents are difficult to forge.
- Documents can be read.
Disadvantages:
- It is expensive.
- It will only accept authorised characters.
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Chip and Pin Readers
Advantages:
- The information is secure because the chip is difficult to read.
- Efficient way of paying for items without using cash.
Disadvantages:
- People tend to be careless when using their pin.
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Senors
Advantages:
- Useful and help security problems
- Protect your valuables
- Easily assessable
- Can be used to control things.
- They are more reliable than human beings.
- A human could take inaccurate readings.
- It is not possible for humans to go to some places where readings need to be taken.
Disadvantages:
- They require a power source, if there is a power cut they will stop working and not take required readings.
- They can be easily set off.
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Monitors
Advantages:
- Instant output of data.
- You can see what you are doing on the computer.
- Allows for entertainment (Watch TV and movies etc...)
- Can view the graphical user interface.
Disadvantages:
- Can be expensive.
- Flat screens can be damaged easily.
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Multimedia Projectors
Advantages:
- LCD designs generate better colour saturation.
- Digital LCD projectors produce better images.
- Can create a cinema like effect.
- Can use television signals as their input.
Disadvantages:
- Require an expensive high power bulb to produce the pictures.
- The bulbs are very fragile, particularly if it is moved whilst it is hot.
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Laser Printers
Advantages:
- Colour printing is possible.
- Quality of print outs is high
- Most models are relatively light and compact so can be placed on a desk without taking up too much space.
Disadvantages:
- The toner is toxic so the cartridges need to be disposed of carefully.
- The first copy takes time to print, but the rest are a lot quicker.
- Laser printers are normally more expensive to buy than inkjets but they are cheaper in the long run.
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Inkjet Printers
Advantages:
- They print at a high quality.
- They are cheap to buy making them affordable for family home use.
- A page can be produced very quickly making them good for home use.
- They are often light and relatively small.
Disadvantages:
- They often use water-soluble ink, so if printouts get wet, the ink will run.
- If a lot of copies are needed, they are often slow.
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Dot Matrix Printers
Advantages:
- They are robust and less likely to go wrong in dirty environments.
- They are cheap and easily available in the market.
- They use paper continuously instead of a frequent change in paper.
Disadvantages:
- They can be very noisy.
- Printing quality isn't great.
- Not all can print in colour.
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Speakers
Advantages:
- They are sometimes built into a laptop or monitor.
- They are simple to operate.
- Can be used to help a blind person operate a computer.
- Can be used to alert the computers user.
Disadvantages:
- Can distract people around you.
- High quality speakers are normally quite expensive.
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