Catalog / Computer Hardware - Output Devices Cheatsheet
Computer Hardware - Output Devices Cheatsheet
A comprehensive cheat sheet detailing various computer output devices, their functionalities, key characteristics, and applications. This guide serves as a quick reference for students, IT professionals, and anyone interested in understanding how computers communicate information.
Display Devices
Monitors
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CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) |
Older technology, bulky, high power consumption, but good color reproduction. Becoming obsolete. |
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LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) |
Flat panel, lower power consumption, sharper image, but contrast ratio may not be as good as CRT. Common in laptops and desktop monitors. |
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LED (Light Emitting Diode) |
LCD monitors that use LED backlighting. Even lower power consumption, brighter images, and longer lifespan compared to standard LCDs. |
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OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) |
No backlight needed, each pixel emits its own light, resulting in excellent contrast ratios and vibrant colors. Used in high-end TVs and smartphones. |
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Resolution |
Number of pixels displayed on the screen (e.g., 1920x1080 - Full HD). Higher resolution means sharper images. |
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Refresh Rate |
The number of times per second the image is refreshed (Hz). Higher refresh rates (e.g., 144Hz) reduce motion blur, important for gaming. |
Projectors
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DLP (Digital Light Processing) |
Uses tiny mirrors to project images. Known for good contrast and fast response times. |
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LCD Projectors |
Uses LCD panels to create images. Tend to be brighter and more energy-efficient, but may have lower contrast than DLP. |
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LED Projectors |
Uses LEDs as a light source. Long lifespan and energy-efficient. |
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Throw Ratio |
Distance required for the projector to display a certain image size. Short throw projectors can be placed closer to the screen. |
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Lumens |
Measure of brightness. Higher lumens are better for well-lit environments. |
Printers and Plotters
Printers
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Inkjet Printers |
Sprays tiny droplets of ink onto paper. Good for photos and documents with color. Can be slow and ink can be expensive. |
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Laser Printers |
Uses a laser to create an electrostatic image on a drum, which then attracts toner. Fast and efficient for text documents. More expensive upfront but lower cost per page. |
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Thermal Printers |
Uses heat to create images on special thermal paper. Common in point-of-sale systems and label printers. |
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Dot Matrix Printers |
Impact printers that use pins to strike an ink ribbon. Noisy and low-resolution, but can print on multi-part forms. |
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Duplex Printing |
Printing on both sides of the paper automatically. Saves paper and reduces costs. |
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PPM (Pages Per Minute) |
A measure of printer speed. Higher PPM means faster printing. |
Plotters
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Pen Plotters |
Uses pens to draw on paper. Capable of high-precision drawings. |
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Electrostatic Plotters |
Uses electrostatic charge to create images. Faster than pen plotters. |
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Inkjet Plotters |
Uses inkjet technology for large-format printing. Commonly used for posters and banners. |
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Applications |
Used for creating technical drawings, architectural plans, and other large-format graphics. |
Audio Output Devices
Speakers
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Types |
Internal speakers, external speakers, headphones, earbuds, soundbars. |
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Frequency Response |
Range of frequencies a speaker can reproduce (Hz). Wider range means better sound quality. |
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Impedance |
Measure of resistance to electrical current (Ohms). Must match the amplifier’s output impedance. |
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Sensitivity |
Measure of how loud a speaker will be at a given power level (dB). Higher sensitivity means louder sound. |
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Wattage |
Power handling capability of the speaker. Higher wattage means the speaker can handle more power without distortion. |
Sound Cards
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Function |
Converts digital audio data into analog signals that can be played through speakers or headphones. |
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Internal vs. External |
Internal sound cards plug into the motherboard. External sound cards connect via USB or other ports. |
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DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) |
Essential component of a sound card that converts digital signals to analog. |
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Sampling Rate |
Number of samples taken per second (kHz). Higher sampling rates result in better audio quality. |
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Bit Depth |
Number of bits used to represent each sample. Higher bit depth results in better dynamic range. |
Other Output Devices
Force Feedback Devices
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Joysticks and Steering Wheels |
Provide tactile feedback to the user, simulating forces and vibrations in games and simulations. |
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Haptic Devices |
Provide tactile sensations, used in medical training, virtual reality, and robotics. |
GPS
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Global Positioning System (GPS) |
Receives signals from satellites to determine location and provide navigational information. |
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Applications |
Navigation systems in cars, smartphones, and other devices. |
Braille Display
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Function |
Displays text in Braille, allowing visually impaired users to read digital content. |
3D Printers
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Stereolithography (SLA) |
Uses a UV laser to cure liquid resin layer by layer. |
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Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) |
Melts and extrudes plastic filament to build objects layer by layer. |
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Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) |
Uses a laser to fuse powder materials together. |
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Applications |
Prototyping, manufacturing, medical devices, and more. |