2. Input and Output Devices
Input devices and their uses
Keyboards
Uses of keyboards
1. Input of data into applications software
2. Typing in commands to the computer
Advantages of keyboards Disadvantages of keyboards
Fast entry of new text into a document. Can be difficult to use if the user has
limited arm/wrist use.
Well-known method that’s Easy to use
for most people. Slow method when compared to direct
data entry
Easier to do verification checks as data
is entered Fairly large device that uses up
valuable desk space.
Numeric keypads
Uses of numeric keypads
1. Automatic teller machines (ATMs), where the customer can key in their PIN, amount of
money, etc.
2. Mobile phones to allow phone numbers, etc. to be keyed in.
3. Point of sale terminals (POS) in case the barcode reader fails to read the barcode – the
number has to be keyed in manually by the operator.
4. Chip and PIN devices when paying by credit/debit cards (key in PIN, amount of money,
etc.).
5. Fast entry of numeric data into a spreadsheet.
Advantages of numeric keypads Disadvantages of numeric keypads
2. Input and Output Devices 1
, Faster than standard keyboards when Sometimes have small keys which can
entering numeric data. make input more difficult.
they are very easy to carry around Sometimes the order of the numbers on
because they are small the keypad is not intuitive.
mouse
Uses of a mouse
1. opening, closing and minimizing software
2. grouping, moving and deleting files
3. image editing, for example, controlling the size and position of a drawing pasted into a
document
4. controlling the position of a pointer on the screen to allow selection from a menu or
selecting an icon, and for scrolling up and down/left and right.
Advantages of a mouse Disadvantages of a mouse
Faster method for choosing an option more difficult to use for people with
rather than using a keyboard. restricted hand/wrist movement
Very quick way of navigating through Easy to damage
applications and the internet.
Difficult to use if no flat surface readily
Does not need a large desk area when available
compared to a keyboard.
Touchpad
Advantages of a touchpad Disadvantages of a touchpad
Same as the mouse (faster than a People with limited hand/wrist
keyboard for choosing options, used to movement find the device difficult to
navigate applications and the internet, use.
etc.).
Can be more difficult to control the
Because the touchpad is integrated into pointer when compared to a normal
the laptop computer there is no need for mouse.
a separate mouse – this aids the
More difficult to use when doing
portability and is a big advantage if
certain operations such as drag and
there are no flat surfaces available.
drop.
2. Input and Output Devices 2
, Trackerball
Uses of a trackerball
1. Can be a good alternative to a mouse for people with conditions such as RSI.
2. Used in an industrial control room environment where it is faster than a mouse to
navigate through process screens.
3. Used in some luxury cars to select functions such as radio, telephone, music, satnav and
so on.
Advantages of a trackerball Disadvantages of a trackerball
Easier to use than a mouse if the Not supplied with the computer as
operator has problems with their wrist standard, therefore more costly.
or hand.
User may need training because it is
More accurate positioning of the not standard equipment.
pointer on screen than a mouse.
Needs less desk space than a mouse or
keyboard.
Remote control
Uses of a remote control
1. Televisions, satellite systems, DVD/Blu-ray players and Hi-Fi systems all use remote
controls to alter functions such as sound volume, on/off, change channels, open the disc
drawer, and so on.
2. Used to control multimedia systems.
3. Used in industrial applications to remotely control processes, stop and start machinery,
etc.
Advantages of a remote control Disadvantages of a remote control
Can be operated from any reasonable Difficult to use if the operator has
distance limited hand/wrist movement.
allows you to operate the device or It is easier to block the signal if, eg. the
machine without interfering with cables walls in the are very thick.
Joysticks
2. Input and Output Devices 3
Input devices and their uses
Keyboards
Uses of keyboards
1. Input of data into applications software
2. Typing in commands to the computer
Advantages of keyboards Disadvantages of keyboards
Fast entry of new text into a document. Can be difficult to use if the user has
limited arm/wrist use.
Well-known method that’s Easy to use
for most people. Slow method when compared to direct
data entry
Easier to do verification checks as data
is entered Fairly large device that uses up
valuable desk space.
Numeric keypads
Uses of numeric keypads
1. Automatic teller machines (ATMs), where the customer can key in their PIN, amount of
money, etc.
2. Mobile phones to allow phone numbers, etc. to be keyed in.
3. Point of sale terminals (POS) in case the barcode reader fails to read the barcode – the
number has to be keyed in manually by the operator.
4. Chip and PIN devices when paying by credit/debit cards (key in PIN, amount of money,
etc.).
5. Fast entry of numeric data into a spreadsheet.
Advantages of numeric keypads Disadvantages of numeric keypads
2. Input and Output Devices 1
, Faster than standard keyboards when Sometimes have small keys which can
entering numeric data. make input more difficult.
they are very easy to carry around Sometimes the order of the numbers on
because they are small the keypad is not intuitive.
mouse
Uses of a mouse
1. opening, closing and minimizing software
2. grouping, moving and deleting files
3. image editing, for example, controlling the size and position of a drawing pasted into a
document
4. controlling the position of a pointer on the screen to allow selection from a menu or
selecting an icon, and for scrolling up and down/left and right.
Advantages of a mouse Disadvantages of a mouse
Faster method for choosing an option more difficult to use for people with
rather than using a keyboard. restricted hand/wrist movement
Very quick way of navigating through Easy to damage
applications and the internet.
Difficult to use if no flat surface readily
Does not need a large desk area when available
compared to a keyboard.
Touchpad
Advantages of a touchpad Disadvantages of a touchpad
Same as the mouse (faster than a People with limited hand/wrist
keyboard for choosing options, used to movement find the device difficult to
navigate applications and the internet, use.
etc.).
Can be more difficult to control the
Because the touchpad is integrated into pointer when compared to a normal
the laptop computer there is no need for mouse.
a separate mouse – this aids the
More difficult to use when doing
portability and is a big advantage if
certain operations such as drag and
there are no flat surfaces available.
drop.
2. Input and Output Devices 2
, Trackerball
Uses of a trackerball
1. Can be a good alternative to a mouse for people with conditions such as RSI.
2. Used in an industrial control room environment where it is faster than a mouse to
navigate through process screens.
3. Used in some luxury cars to select functions such as radio, telephone, music, satnav and
so on.
Advantages of a trackerball Disadvantages of a trackerball
Easier to use than a mouse if the Not supplied with the computer as
operator has problems with their wrist standard, therefore more costly.
or hand.
User may need training because it is
More accurate positioning of the not standard equipment.
pointer on screen than a mouse.
Needs less desk space than a mouse or
keyboard.
Remote control
Uses of a remote control
1. Televisions, satellite systems, DVD/Blu-ray players and Hi-Fi systems all use remote
controls to alter functions such as sound volume, on/off, change channels, open the disc
drawer, and so on.
2. Used to control multimedia systems.
3. Used in industrial applications to remotely control processes, stop and start machinery,
etc.
Advantages of a remote control Disadvantages of a remote control
Can be operated from any reasonable Difficult to use if the operator has
distance limited hand/wrist movement.
allows you to operate the device or It is easier to block the signal if, eg. the
machine without interfering with cables walls in the are very thick.
Joysticks
2. Input and Output Devices 3
