Chapter

2
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PART 1 PART 2

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Learning Outcome 2.1 You will be able to describe the Learning Outcome 2.2 You will be able to describe how
devices that make up a computer computers process and store data
system. and how devices connect to a
computer system.

!!*+,%-).#+,(+/!012-!31452.%-! 67 !!!B-1;%))(+/!#+,!"%41-C!1+!.'%!
"1.'%-D1#-,! EF
Objective 2.1 Describe the four main functions of a computer system
and how they interact with data and information. Objective 2.9 Describe the functions of the motherboard and RAM.
Objective 2.2 Define bits and bytes, and describe how they are Objective 2.10 Explain the main functions of the CPU.
measured, used, and processed. Sound Byte: Smartphones Are Really Smart
Objective 2.3 List common types of computers, and discuss their
main features.
!!G.1-(+/!9#.#!#+,!8+H1-4#.(1+! EI
Sound Byte: Binary Numbers Interactive
Helpdesk: Understanding Bits and Bytes Objective 2.11 Describe the various means of storing data and
information with computing devices.

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!!!31++%;.(+/!B%-(5'%-#J)!.1!.'%!
Objective 2.4 Identify the main types of keyboards and touch 31452.%-! EK
screens.
Objective 2.5 Describe the main types of mice and pointing devices. Objective 2.12 Describe common types of ports used today.

Objective 2.6 Explain how images, sounds, and sensor data are input Helpdesk: Exploring Storage Devices and Ports
into computing devices.
!!B1@%-!"#+#/%4%+.!#+,!L-/1+14(;)! EE
!!>2.52.!9%:(;%)! =? Objective 2.13 Describe how to manage power consumption on
Objective 2.7 Describe options for outputting images and audio from computing devices.
computing devices. Objective 2.14 Define ergonomics, and discuss the ideal physical
Objective 2.8 Describe various types of printers, and explain when setup for using computing devices.
you would use them.

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(Bennymarty/123RF; Petr Malyshev/Fotolia; Destinacigdem/123RF; Karyna Navrotska/123RF; Ruslan Danyliuk/123RF; ale-kup/Shutterstock; Sebastian Kaulitzki/Shutterstock)

36
!"#$%&'%(')%$"*+,-
Computer technology is making great strides toward enabling individuals to
overcome injuries and disabilities. Implants that can restore sight are now
being researched. Exo-skeletons, like the one shown here, are restoring the
ability to walk. Cochlear implants can restore hearing. People with technology
implanted in or attached to their bodies are referred to as augmented humans.
It is anticipated that augmented technologies may some day improve to the point
where someone who uses such technology might have superior abilities
to someone who doesn’t use it. Perhaps in the future, we won’t need a regu-
lar Olympics and a Special Olympics. But is it fair to let augmented humans
compete against non-augmented humans? Augmented technologies are
anticipated to be expensive. Does this mean only the rich will be able to “improve”
their abilities with augments?
Should augmented humans be allowed to compete in the Olympics and professional sports
alongside non-augmented athletes?
• Augmented humans should only be allowed to compete against other augmented humans.
• Only augmented humans who have used technology to correct a deficiency should be allowed to
compete with non-augmented humans.
• Any human being (augmented or not) should be allowed to compete.

See the end of the chapter for a follow-up question. (Anton Gvozdikov/Alamy Stock Photo)
37
 Part 1 ?$4"-*"$@(4@&(A"$5"12&3")-41"$5"12(".2-)1(4B"A-1.2"3'#5.%-!>:%-:(%@!A(,%1!IM?7

8*,(431-*,&*0"9&0&1-'":$+)$*(*13
Learning Outcome 2.1 You will be able to describe the devices that make up a computer system.
After reading Chapter 1, you can see why becoming computer literate is important. But where do you start? You’ve no doubt
gleaned some knowledge about computers just from being a member of society. However, even if you’ve used a computer
before, do you really understand how it works, what all its parts are, and what those parts do?

.+&/01$#+&*+2%3')0%4'56)$/0
Let’s start our look at computers by discussing what a computer does and how its functions make
it such a useful machine.

31452.%-)!N-%!9#.#!B-1;%))(+/!9%:(;%)
Objective 2.1 Describe the four main functions of a computer system and how they interact
with data and information.
What exactly does a computer do?'Strictly defined, a computer is a data processing device
that performs four major functions:
1. Input: It gathers data or allows users to enter data.
2. Process: It manipulates, calculates, or organizes that data into information.
3. Output: It displays data and information in a form suitable for the user.
4. Storage: It saves data and information for later use.
What’s the difference between data and information?'In casual conversations, people often
use the terms data and information interchangeably. However, for computers, the distinction between
data and information is an important one. In computer terms, data is a representation of a fact, a figure,
For information about the history
or an idea. Data can be a number, a word, a picture, or even a recording of sound. For example, the
of computers, see the History of
number 7135553297 and the names Zoe and Richardson are pieces of data. Alone, these pieces of
Computers video.
data probably mean little to you. Information is data that has been organized or presented in a meaning-
ful fashion. When your computer provides you with a contact listing that indicates that Zoe Richardson
can be reached at (713) 555-3297, the data becomes useful—that is, it becomes information.
How do computers interact with data and information?'Computers are excellent at
processing (manipulating, calculating, or organizing) data into information. When you first arrived on
campus, you probably were directed to a place where you could get an ID card. You most likely pro-
vided a clerk with personal data that was entered into a computer. The clerk then took your picture with
a digital camera (collecting more data). All of the data was then processed so that it could be printed on
your ID card (see Figure 2.1). This organized output of data on your ID card is useful information.

Processing data
Input data Output information
into information

Figure 2.1 Computers process data into information. (Mocker_bat/Fotolia)

38 Chapter 2 Looking at Computers: Understanding the Parts

O(+#-CP!&'%!Q#+/2#/%!1H!31452.%-) 7')+&%8($/ !"#$%&'(&
Objective 2.2 Define bits and bytes, and describe how they are measured, used, and Binary Numbers Interactive
processed.
This Sound Byte helps remove the
How do computers process data into information?'Unlike humans, computers work exclu- mystery surrounding binary num-
sively with numbers (not words). To process data into information, computers need to work in a bers. You’ll learn about base conver-
language they understand. This language, called binary language, consists of just two digits: 0 sion between decimal, binary, and
and 1. Everything a computer does, such as processing data, printing a file, or editing a photo, is hexadecimal numbers using colors,
broken down into a series of 0s and 1s. Each 0 and 1 is a binary digit, or bit for short. Eight binary sounds, and images.
digits (or bits) combine to create one byte. In computers, each letter of the alphabet, each number,
and each special character (such as @) consists of a unique combination of eight bits, or a string of
eight 0s and 1s. So, for example, in binary language, the letter K is represented as 01001011. This
is eight bits or one byte.

How does a computer keep track of bits and bytes?'Computers understand only two
states of existence: on and off. Inside a computer, these two states are defined using the numbers
1 and 0. Electrical switches are the devices inside the computer that are flipped between the two
states of 1 and 0, signifying on and off. In fact, a computer system can be viewed as an enormous
collection of on/off switches. These on/off switches are combined in different ways to perform addi-
tion and subtraction and to move data around the system.
You use various forms of switches every day. A water faucet is either on, allowing water
to flow, or off. As shown in Figure 2.2, shutting off the faucet could represent the value Off On
0, whereas turning it on could represent the value 1.

What types of switches does a computer use?'Early computers used transis-

tors. Transistors are electrical switches built out of layers of a special type of material
called a semiconductor. A semiconductor is any material that can be controlled
either to conduct electricity or to act as an insulator (to prohibit electricity from pass-
ing through). Silicon, which is found in sand, is the semiconductor material used to
make transistors.
By itself, silicon doesn’t conduct electricity particularly well, but if specific chemicals Figure 2.2 Water faucets can be
are added in a controlled way to the silicon, it behaves like an on/off switch. The silicon used to illustrate binary switches.
allows electric current to flow when a certain voltage is applied; otherwise, it prevents electric cur-
rent from flowing.
Advances in technology began to require more transistors than circuit boards could handle. Some-
thing was needed to pack more transistor capacity into a smaller space. Thus, integrated circuits
were developed.

What are integrated circuits?'Integrated circuits (or chips) are tiny

regions of semiconductor material that support a huge number of transistors
(see Figure 2.3). Most integrated circuits are no more than a quarter inch in
size yet can hold billions of transistors. This advancement has enabled com-
puter designers to create small yet powerful microprocessors, which are the
chips that contain a central processing unit (CPU, or processor). The CPU
can be considered the “brains” of the computer, since this is where the pro-
cessing of data into information takes place. Today, more than 2 billion tran-
sistors can be manufactured in a space as tiny as your little fingernail!

What else can bits and bytes be used for?'Bits and bytes are not only
used as the language that tells the computer what to do. They are also used
to represent the quantity of data and information that the computer inputs
and outputs. Word files, digital pictures, and software are represented inside
computing devices as a series of bits and bytes. These files and applications Figure 2.3 An integrated circuit is
can be quite large, containing billions of bytes. packaged in a small case but holds
To make it easier to measure the size of such files, we need units of measure larger than a byte. billions of transistors. (Krasyuk/Fotolia)
Kilobytes, megabytes, and gigabytes are therefore simply larger amounts of bytes. As shown in
Figure 2.4, a kilobyte (KB) is approximately 1,000 bytes, a megabyte (MB) is about 1 million bytes,
and a gigabyte (GB) is around 1 billion bytes. Today, personal computers can store terabytes (TB)
(around 1 trillion bytes) of data, and many business computers can store up to a petabyte (PB)
(1,000 terabytes) of data. The Google search engine processes more than 1 PB of user-generated
data per hour!

Understanding Your Computer 39

 Figure 2.4! R1@!"2;'!8)!#!OC.%S

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How does a computer process bits and bytes?'A computer uses hardware and software
to process data into information that lets you complete tasks such as writing a letter or playing a
game. Hardware is any part of the computer you can physically touch. Software is the set of com-
puter programs that enables the hardware to perform different tasks. Application software is what
you use to help you carry out tasks such as writing a research paper. System software enables
your computer’s hardware devices and application software to work together. The most common
type of system software is the operating system (OS)—the program that controls how your com-
puter functions. Most likely, your computer’s operating system is a version of Microsoft Windows or
Apple’s macOS.

40 Chapter 2 Looking at Computers: Understanding the Parts

&C5%)!1H!31452.%-) :;$*</%=/>6&/1,
Objective 2.3 List common types of computers, and discuss their main features.
Understanding Bits and Bytes
What types of computers are popular for personal use?'There are two basic designs In this Active Helpdesk, you’ll play
of computers: portable and stationary. For portable computers, three main categories exist: cell the role of a helpdesk staffer, field-
phones, tablets, and laptops. ing questions about the difference
between data and information, what
Cell Phones bits and bytes are, and how bytes
are measured.
Are cell phones really computers?'All cell phones have the same components as any com-
puter: a processor (central processing unit, or CPU), memory, and input and output devices, as
shown in Figure 2.5. Cell phones also require their own operating system (OS) software and have
their own application software. So, in effect, all cell phones are indeed computers.
Music player
What makes a cell phone a smartphone?'Smartphones use a CPU and an interface so powerful
that they can take on many of the same tasks as much more expensive computers: videoconferencing,
recording and editing high-definition (HD) video, and broadcasting live-streaming video. Most providers,
like AT&T or Verizon, label a smartphone as one that has sufficient power so that you can use Internet
features easily. You often must purchase a data plan with a smartphone. Smartphones like the iPhone
Digital camera
and tablets like the iPad illustrate the true power of digital convergence—they incorporate a range of
features that used to be available only in separate, dedicated devices (see Figure 2.6):
• Internet access
• Personal information management (PIM) features
• Voice recording features GPS
• The ability to play and organize music files
• GPS services
• Digital image and video capture
• Computing power to run programs like word processors and video-editing software
Remote control
• Control of other devices in your “smart home”
Isn’t every phone a smartphone now?'Although many cell phones on the market are consid-
ered smartphones, less powerful cell phones are still available. Called feature phones, these inex-
pensive phones have modest processors, simpler interfaces, and often no touch screen. As more
features are integrated into every cell phone product, though, it becomes difficult to distinguish a
Figure 2.6 A single device like a
smartphone from a feature phone. We’ll use the term cell phone to refer to all cellular phones and
tablet can play the role of many
smartphone to refer to the more powerful type of cell phone that can run more complex applications.
separate devices, illustrating the
concept of digital convergence.
Touch screen controller (Rostislav Sedlacek/Fotolia; Science
Photo Library/Shutterstock; OnBlast/
Camera module Shutterstock; Andrey Popov/Shutterstock;
Display Screen
CPU Amakar/Fotolia)

Memory Microphone Battery

Figure 2.5 Inside your cell phone, you’ll find a CPU; a memory chip; input devices such as a microphone and a
touch screen; and output devices such as a display screen. (iFixit)

Understanding Your Computer 41

 Tablets
A tablet computer, such as the Apple iPad or Amazon Fire, is a portable computer integrated into a
multitouch-sensitive screen. Tablet computers use an on-screen keyboard, but you can also con-
nect external keyboards to tablets.
How do tablets compare with smartphones?'Tablets are very light, portable devices,
although not as light as smartphones. The top-selling tablets include the Apple iPad and the
Samsung Galaxy, but there are more than 75 tablets on the market. One difference between
tablets and smartphones is that you can’t make cellular phone calls from most tablets. In
addition, whereas smartphones usually have displays that are less than 5 inches, tablets
come with screen sizes between 7 and 10 inches. However, manufacturers are beginning
to make even larger phones, offering a phablet model of phone, with screen sizes of over
6 inches.
In most other regards, smartphones and tablets are similar. They have the following features:
• Similar operating systems: Common operating systems, such as iOS, Android, or Windows,
operate on smartphones and tablets.
• Similar processors: The processing power of smartphones and tablets is often the same.
• Touch-screen interfaces: Smartphones and tablets are both equipped with touch-screen
interfaces.
• Long battery life: Most tablets and smartphones run at least 10 hours on a single charge.
• Similar software applications: Most apps available for one device are available in a compatible
version for the other type of device.
• Similar Internet connectivity: Both can offer cellular and wireless access to the Internet.
• Bluetooth: Most smartphones and tablets on the market today are Bluetooth-enabled, mean-
ing they include a small Bluetooth chip that allows them to transfer data wirelessly to any other
Bluetooth-enabled device. Bluetooth is a wireless transmission standard that lets you connect
devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops to devices such as keyboards and headsets.
Bluetooth technology uses radio waves to transmit data signals over distances up to approxi-
mately 1,200 feet for Bluetooth 5 devices.

Can tablets function as a communication device?'Although tablets are currently not able to
make cell phone calls, they can easily place audio or video phone calls if connected to a Wi-Fi net-
work. An application like Skype that makes Internet phone calls is required for that. There are also
apps available that allow tablets to handle texting. WhatsApp, for example, supports free national
and international texting from a range of devices, including tablets.

Laptops and Their Variants

A laptop (or notebook) computer is a portable computer that has a
keyboard, monitor, and other devices integrated into a single com-
pact case. This was the first type of portable computer, but as our
demand for lighter and more portable computers accelerated, tab-
lets and smartphones were developed. There are several variations
of laptops, including 2-in-1 PCs, ultrabooks, and Chromebooks.
What is a 2-in-1 PC?'A 2-in-1 PC is a laptop computer that can
convert into a tablet-like device (see Figure 2.7). In laptop mode,
there is a physical keyboard, while in tablet mode you use an
on-screen keyboard. On some models, such as Microsoft Surface
devices, the touch screen is detachable from the keyboard so it
can be carried and used as an independent tablet. On others, such
as the Lenovo Yoga, there is a hinge so that the keyboard can be
folded behind the screen.
Why would I want a 2-in-1 instead of a tablet?'Although
Figure 2.7 The Microsoft Surface more expensive than a tablet, 2-in-1s have a more powerful
is an example of a 2-in-1 device: CPU so they can function as a laptop. Also, whereas a tablet
a touchscreen tablet and a runs a mobile OS, like Android or iOS, a 2-in-1 uses a full traditional OS, like Windows, and
detachable keyboard merged into can therefore run the same software applications as a laptop. In addition, a 2-in-1 has a physi-
one unit. (Oleksiy Maksymenko/image- cal keyboard when you need it. Many people find a 2-in-1 can replace the need to carry both a
BROKER/Alamy Stock Photo) tablet and a laptop.

42 Chapter 2 Looking at Computers: Understanding the Parts

How are ultrabooks different from laptops?'Ultrabooks are a category of full-featured com-
puters that focus on offering a very thin, lightweight computing solution. Examples include the
Apple MacBook Air and the Asus ZenBook. Ultrabooks don’t offer optical drives, so they facilitate
a very thin profile. Some do not even offer traditional USB ports, instead using the more compact
USB-C connector so that they are only about 13 mm at the thickest point. Most ultrabooks offer
SSD drives and so have very fast response times on startup and restoring from a low power state.
They weigh in at less than 3 pounds even though they feature the same operating systems and
CPUs as heavier, larger laptops. They also include full-size keyboards and 13- to 15-inch screens.
What is a Chromebook?'A Chromebook is a special type of laptop that uses the Google Chrome
OS and is designed to be connected to the Internet always. Documents and apps are stored primar-
ily in the cloud as opposed to locally. Because the Chrome OS places less demand on computing
hardware than a conventional operating system (such as Windows or macOS), it can run the Chrome
browser much more efficiently. If you do most of your work within a browser and need a lightweight,
inexpensive computer, a Chromebook might be what you are seeking. However, remember that to
use a Chromebook most effectively, you should have an active Internet connection.

Choosing a Portable Device

With all these choices, how do I know which device is best for me?'Use these guide-
lines to determine what device best fits your personal needs:
• Power: How much computational power do you need?
• Screen size and resolution: These cannot be changed later, so make sure the quality and size
of screen will fit your needs for the years you’ll keep the device.
• Style of keyboard: Do you want a touch-based interface? Is a physical keyboard important, or
is an on-screen keyboard sufficient? Does the feel of the keyboard work for you?
• Battery life: Some devices can operate for 15 hours continuously, others less than 5. Investi-
gate whether the battery can be upgraded and how much weight that would add.
• Weight: Does an additional 2 pounds matter? (Lighter devices usually cost more.) Remember to
include the weight of any charging device you would need to carry when you travel as you con-
sider the tradeoff in price for a lighter device.
• Number of devices: Is this your only computing device? As technology prices fall, you may be
able to have more than one device. You might find an affordable solution that includes both a
very mobile device and a second more powerful one.
Figure 2.8 summarizes the various mobile device categories.

Laptop
Ultrabook

2-in-1

Tablet

Smartphone

Figure 2.8 A full spectrum of mobile devices is available. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images; Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images; Ethan Miller/Getty Images; Chris Tzou/
Bloomberg/Getty Images; Peter Dazeley/Photographer’s Choice/Getty Images)

Understanding Your Computer 43

 a b

System Unit

Figure 2.9 (a) A desktop computer has a system unit that holds the main components. (b) An all-in-one computer does not need a separate system unit.
(Maxim Kazmin/123RF; Best pixels/Shutterstock)
Stationary Computers
What are the main stationary computers available to consumers?'A desktop computer
is intended for use at a single location, so it’s stationary (see Figure 2.9a). Most desktop computers
consist of a separate case or tower (called the system unit) that houses the main components of
the computer and to which peripheral devices are attached. A peripheral device is a component,
such as a monitor or keyboard that connects to the computer.
An all-in-one computer, such as the Apple iMac, eliminates the need for a separate tower because
these computers house the computer’s processor and memory in the monitor (see Figure 2.9b).
Many all-in-one models also incorporate touch-screen technology.
What are the advantages of a desktop computer?'Desktop computers are easier to upgrade
than laptops or other portable computers (which often cannot be upgraded at all). Upgrades to
components such as video cards are often important for gamers and graphic artists. Also, large
screens are beneficial in many working environments (such as graphic design) and if a computer
doesn’t need portability you can use a larger monitor without a problem. Finally,
Input miniaturization of components is usually costly. Therefore, you can often get more
computing power for your dollar when you buy a desktop computer.
Are there any other types of computers?'Although you may never come
into direct contact with the following types of computers, they are still very
important and do a lot of work behind the scenes of daily life:
• A mainframe is a large, expensive computer that supports many users simulta-
neously. Mainframes are often used in businesses that manage large amounts
of data, such as insurance companies, where many people are working at the
same time on similar operations, such as claims processing. Mainframes excel
at executing many computer programs at the same time.
• A supercomputer is a specially designed computer that can perform complex
calculations extremely rapidly. Supercomputers are used when complex mod-
els requiring intensive mathematical calculations are needed (such as weather
forecasting). Supercomputers are designed to execute a few programs as
quickly as possible, whereas mainframes are designed to handle many pro-
grams running at the same time but at a slower pace.
• An embedded computer is a specially designed
computer chip that resides in another device, such
as your car, a drone, or the electronic thermostat
Processing in your home. Embedded computers are self-con-
tained computer devices that have their own
programming and that typically don’t receive input
from you or interact with other systems.
Each part of your computer has a specific purpose
that coordinates with one of the functions of the
Storage Output
computer—input, processing, output, or storage
Figure 2.10 Each part of the computer serves a special function. (see Figure 2.10). Additional devices, such as Wi-Fi

44 Chapter 2 Looking at Computers: Understanding the Parts

Bits&Bytes &1,#CT)!G25%-;1452.%-)P!U#).%-!&'#+!L:%-

C6)(4.$+)61(43"-4("12("%&00(31"-*,"+$31")$A(456'"1/)("$5".$+D
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.$+)'(E")4$%'(+3"$4"1$")(45$4+"+-33&@(".$+)61-1&$*37"C$+("
36)(4.$+)61(43"-4("3&*0'(".$+)61(43"A&12"+6'1&)'(")4$.(33$43B"
A2(4(-3"$12(43".$*3&31"$5"+6'1&)'(".$+)61(43"12-1"A$4<"1$0(12(47"
F2("C6*A-/"F-&26;&021"G3(("?&064("H7IIJ"A-3"12("5-31(31"36)(4D
.$+)61(4"6*1&'"%(&*0"4(.(*1'/"364)-33(,"%/"12("C6++&1",()'$/(,"
-1"12("8C"9()-41+(*1"$5"K*(40/7"L1"5(-164(3"-"A2$))&*0"MBNOP"
*$,(3B"(-.2"A&12"1A$"HHD.$4(":>837"C6++&1"46*3"-1"-"%'-Q&*0"
IHH7N")(1-5'$)37"R$A"'$*0",$"/$6"12&*<"&1"A&''"2$',"12("1$)"3)$1S

Figure 2.11 Deployed at the National Supercomputing Center in

Wuxi, China, the Sunway TaihuLight is the world’s second-fastest
supercomputer—for now! Check TOP500.org for the latest rankings.
(Xinhua/Alamy Stock Photo)

adapters and routers, help a computer communicate with the Internet and other computers to
facilitate the sharing of documents and other resources. Let’s begin our exploration of hardware by
looking at your computer’s input devices.

%?+6)$%@/<*;/1
An input device lets you enter data (text, images, and sounds) and instructions (user responses
and commands) into your computer. Let’s look at some of the most popular input devices used
today.

B'C)(;#J!V%CD1#-,)!#+,!&12;'!G;-%%+)
Objective 2.4 Identify the main types of keyboards and touch screens.
What is the most common way to input data and commands? 'A keyboard is an
input device you use to enter typed data and commands. However, as discussed earlier,
computing devices such as smartphones, tablets, and many laptops now respond to touch.
Touch screens are display screens that respond to commands initiated by touch-
ing them with your finger or a stylus—a device that looks like a pen and that you
use to tap commands or draw on a screen. Touch-screen devices use a virtual
keyboard that displays on screen when text input is required (see Figure 2.12).
These keyboards show basic keyboard configurations but allow you to switch to
other special keys. Virtual keyboards can also support dozens of languages and
different character sets.
Are all keyboards the same?'Whether virtual or physical, the most common
keyboard layout is a standard QWERTY keyboard. This keyboard layout gets its
name from the first six letters in the top-left row of alphabetic keys and is the
standard English-language keyboard layout. The QWERTY layout was originally
designed for typewriters and was meant to slow down typists and prevent type-
writer keys from jamming. Although the QWERTY layout is considered inefficient
because it slows typing speeds, efforts to change to more efficient layouts, such as Figure 2.12 Touch screen devices use virtual
that of the Dvorak keyboard (see Figure 2.13), have not been met with much public keyboards that appear on screen when needed.
interest. (Lourens Smak/Alamy Stock Photo)

Input Devices 45
Figure 2.13 The Dvorak keyboard
is an alternative keyboard layout
that puts the most commonly used
letters in the English language on
“home keys”—the keys in the mid-
dle row of the keyboard. The Dvorak
keyboard’s design reduces the
distance your fingers travel for most
keystrokes, increasing typing speed.
You can customize the layout of
your keyboard using the Windows
operating system. (Courtesy of
Microsoft Corporation)
How can I use my keyboard most efficiently?'All keyboards have the standard set of
alphabetic and numeric keys that you regularly use when typing. As shown in Figure 2.14, many
keyboards for laptop and desktop computers have additional keys that perform special func-
tions. Knowing how to use the special keys shown in Figure 2.14 will help you improve your
efficiency.
What alternatives are there to a virtual keyboard?'Virtual keyboards are not always con-
venient when a great deal of typing is required. Most computing devices can accept physical key-
boards as an add-on accessory. Wired keyboards plug into a data port on the computing device.
Wireless keyboards send data to the computer using a form of wireless technology that uses radio
frequency (RF). A radio transmitter in the keyboard sends out signals that are received either by a
receiving device plugged into a port on the device or by a Bluetooth receiving device located in the

Toggle keys: keys whose

function changes between
two options. (Example:
Caps Lock key)
Internet controls

Multimedia controls

Numeric keypad: lets

Function keys (F keys): shortcut you enter numbers
keys you press to perform special quickly.
tasks in software programs.

Cursor control keys

Alt key: works with other

keys to execute
shortcuts and special
tasks.

Windows key: used alone, it launches the Start menu.

Control (Ctrl) key: used with other Used with other keys, it performs shortcuts.
keys to perform shortcuts. (Example: (Example: Windows key+Tab launches Task View)
Ctrl+B makes text bold)

Figure 2.14 Keyboards have a variety of keys that help you work more efficiently. (Note that on Macs, Function keys are slightly different, the Control
function is the Apple key or Command key, and the Alt function is the Option key.)

46 Chapter 2 Looking at Computers: Understanding the Parts

 a b

Figure 2.15 (a) Cases with integrated physical keyboards make tablets more typing friendly. (b) Laser-projection keyboard devices project the image
of a QWERTY keyboard on any surface. Sensors detect typing motions, and data is transmitted to your device via Bluetooth technology.
(guteksk7/Shutterstock; Splash News/Hammacher Schlemmer/Newscom)

computing device. Often, Bluetooth keyboards for tablets are integrated with a case to protect your
tablet (see Figure 2.15a).
Flexible keyboards are a terrific alternative if you want a full-sized keyboard for your laptop or tablet.
You can roll one up, fit it in your backpack, and plug it into a USB port when you need it. Another
compact keyboard alternative is a laser-projection keyboard (see Figure 2.15b), which is about the
size of a matchbox. They project an image of a keyboard onto any flat surface, and sensors detect
the motion of your fingers as you “type.” Data is transmitted to the device via Bluetooth. These key-
boards work with the latest smartphones and tablets.

"(;%!#+,!>.'%-!B1(+.(+/!9%:(;%)
Objective 2.5 Describe the main types of mice and pointing devices.
What input is a mouse responsible for?'A mouse is the most common pointing device used
to enter user responses and commands. One of the mouse’s most important functions is to posi-
tion the cursor. The cursor is an onscreen icon (often shown by a vertical bar or an arrow) that
helps the user keep track of exactly what is active on the display screen. For instance, in word pro-
cessing software, the cursor allows you to see exactly where the next character will be typed in a
sentence based on its position. To move the cursor to another point on a touch screen you just tap
the screen with your finger. Or to select an item on the screen, you just tap it with your finger. But
laptops and desktop computers that are not touch enabled need other types of devices (like mice)
for positioning the cursor and selecting icons (by clicking the mouse).
What kinds of mice are there?'The most common mouse type is the optical mouse. An opti-
cal mouse uses an internal sensor or laser to detect the mouse’s movement. The sensor sends
signals to the computer, telling it where to move the pointer on the screen. Optical mice
don’t require a mouse pad, though you can use one to enhance the movement of the
mouse on an uneven surface or to protect your work surface from being scratched.
Most mice have two or three buttons (mice for Macs sometimes have only one
button) that let you execute commands and open shortcut menus. Many cus-
tomizable mice have additional programmable buttons and wheels that let you
quickly maneuver through web pages or games (see Figure 2.16). These mice
are also customizable to fit any size hand and grip style by allowing for length
and width adjustments. Aside from gamers, many people use customizable
mice to reduce susceptibility to repetitive strain injuries or if they suffer from
physical limitations that prevent them from using standard mice.
How do wireless mice connect to a computing device?'Wireless mice usu-
ally connect the same way that wireless keyboards do—either through an integrated
Figure 2.16 The R.A.T. ProX
Bluetooth chip or a Bluetooth receiver that plugs into a USB port.
Precision Gaming Mouse offers the
Why would I want to use a mouse with a touch-screen device?'If you’re using a ultimate in customizability for serious
physical keyboard with your touch-screen device, it’s often easier to perform actions with gamers or users with special needs.
a mouse rather than reaching to touch the screen. In addition, there are new kinds of mice, (Mad Catz, Inc.)

Input Devices 47
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48 Chapter 2 Looking at Computers: Understanding the Parts

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called touch mice, which are designed with touch-screen computers in mind. Unlike traditional
mice, there are no specifically defined buttons. The top surface of a touch mouse is the button.
You tap one, two, or three fingers to perform touch-screen tasks such as scrolling, switching
through open apps, and zooming. Touch mice also allow you to perform traditional mouse
tasks, such as moving the cursor when you move the mouse.
What pointing devices do laptops use?'Most laptops have an integrated pointing device,
such as a touch pad (or trackpad)—a small, touch-sensitive area at the base of the keyboard.
Mac laptops include multitouch trackpads, which don’t have buttons but are controlled by var-
ious one-, two-, three-, and four-finger actions. For example, scrolling is controlled by brushing
two fingers along the trackpad in any direction. Most touch pads are sensitive to taps, inter-
preting them as mouse clicks. Some laptops also have buttons under or near the pad to record
mouse clicks.
What input devices are used with games?'Game controllers such as joysticks, game pads,
and steering wheels are also considered input devices because they send data to computing
devices. Game controllers, which are like the devices used on gaming consoles such as the Xbox
One, are also available for use with computers. They have buttons and miniature pointing devices
that provide input to the computer.

84#/%X!G12+,X!#+,!G%+)1-!8+52.
Objective 2.6 Explain how images, sounds, and sensor data are input into computing
devices.
What are popular input devices for images?'Digital cameras, camcorders, and mobile
device cameras capture pictures and video and are considered input devices. Stand-alone devices
can connect to your computer with a cable, transmit data wirelessly, or transfer data automatically
through the Internet.
Flatbed scanners also input images. They work similarly to a photocopy machine; however,
instead of generating the image on paper, they create a digital image, which you can then
print, save, or e-mail. Flatbed scanners are often used in conjunction with optical character
recognition (OCR) software, which digitizes and saves text in digital form. Many businesses
and libraries use OCR software to reduce volumes of reports and books to manageable
digital files.
The digital cameras in cell phones are also often used to scan information. For example, many
health and fitness apps, like MyFitnessPal, capture data by using the cell phone’s camera to scan
UPC codes on food products. The devices used at supermarkets and retail stores to scan the UPC
codes on your purchases are also a type of scanner that inputs information into another computer:
the point-of-sale terminal (cash register).
A webcam is a front-facing camera that attaches to a desktop computer or is built into a computing
device. Although webcams can capture still images, they’re used mostly for capturing and transmit-
ting live video. Videoconferencing apps let a person using a device equipped with a webcam and
a microphone transmit video and audio across the Internet. Video apps such as Skype and Google
Figure 2.19 Video conferencing
Hangouts make it easy to videoconference with multiple people (see Figure 2.19).
relies on two input devices: a
How do my computing devices benefit from accepting sound input?'Inputting sound webcam and a microphone. (Andriy
to your computer requires using a microphone (or mic)—a device that lets you capture sound Popov/123RF)

Input Devices 49
 waves (such as your voice) and transfer them to digital format on your computer.
Laptops, tablets, and smartphones come with built-in microphones. In addition
to letting others hear you in a videoconference, equipping your device to accept
sound input enables you to conduct audio conferences, chat with people over
the Internet, record podcasts, and even control computing devices with your
voice.
How can I use my voice to control my computing device?'Voice recog-
nition software allows you to control your devices by speaking into a microphone
instead of using a keyboard or mouse. Apps like Dragon Naturally Speaking are
available as stand-alone apps, but voice recognition features are built into the Win-
dows and macOS operating systems as well.
Microphone Popular extensions of voice recognition software are intelligent personal assistants
icon
such as Apple’s Siri, Google Assistant, and Microsoft’s Cortana (see Figure 2.20).
These so-called software agents respond to voice commands and then use your
input, access to the Internet, and location-aware services to perform various tasks,
such as finding the closest pizza parlor to your present location.
What types of add-on microphones are available?'For specialized sit-
uations, built-in microphones don’t always provide the best performance.
You may want to consider adding other types of microphones, such as those
Figure 2.20 Just tap the micro- shown in Table 2.1, to your system for the best results.
phone icon and ask Microsoft’s
intelligent personal assistant Cortana
a question. She communicates
using natural language processing
techniques. (Courtesy of Microsoft
Table 2.1! &C5%)!1H!"(;-15'1+%)
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(Fotolia; Sumnersgraphicsinc/Fotolia; Feliks Gurevich/Shutterstock; Joseph Branston/PC Format Magazine/Getty Images)

50 Chapter 2 Looking at Computers: Understanding the Parts

What other types of input devices are found in computers?'Smartphones and tablets
are now arrayed with a variety of sensors. Broadly speaking, a sensor is any device that detects or
measures something. Sensors feed data into the device and are used by the hardware or apps that
rely on the input provided. The following sensors can be found in almost all smartphones and many
tablets today (although your particular device may not contain every one):
• Magnetometer: detects magnetic fields. Compass and metal detecting apps use this sensor.
• Proximity sensor: used in phones to determine when the phone is placed next to your ear so the
phone knows to shut off the display while you are talking.
• Light sensor: measures ambient light brightness so the device can adjust the brightness of the display.
• Accelerometer: measures acceleration that the device is experiencing. It also helps determine
the orientation of the device along three axes (see Figure 2.21), which allows the device to
determine if it is in landscape or portrait orientation. Figure 2.21 The accelerometer is a
• Gyroscope: provides orientation information but with greater precision than the accelerometer. sensor in your devices that reports
• Barometer: measures atmospheric pressure to determine how high the device is above sea level. the acceleration in any direction.
This improves GPS accuracy and also enables counting floors more accurately when step climbing. (Chih Hsien Hang/123RF)
• Thermometer: measures ambient temperature either inside or outside the device. This is mainly
used to monitor overheating of delicate electronic components inside the device.
• Pedometer: used to record the number of steps taken while having the device in your possession.
• Fingerprint sensor: used to record and read fingerprint data to secure the device.
• Heart rate monitor: measures pulse rate by detecting pulsating blood vessels inside your finger.
Want to access the sensors in your smartphone? Try our Make This activity in the middle of the chapter
to learn how to build your own apps that can gather information from the sensors in your smartphone.

A)$6)$%@/<*;/1
An output device lets you send processed data out of your computer in the form of text, pictures
(graphics), sounds (audio), or video. Let’s look at some popular output devices.

84#/%!#+,!N2,(1!>2.52.
Objective 2.7 Describe options for outputting images and audio from computing devices.
Computing devices need options for outputting data so you can transfer it to other locations.
Sometimes you need only soft copies of data, such as a graph displayed on your screen. Other
times you need a hard copy, such as a printed page. Let’s explore the most common output
device: the display screen.

Image Output
What are the different types of display screens?'A display screen
(sometimes referred to as a monitor on desktops and laptops) displays text,
graphics, and videos. The most common type of monitor for laptop and
desktop computers is a liquid crystal display (LCD). An LCD monitor, also
called a flat-panel monitor, is light and energy efficient. Some newer moni-
tors use light-emitting diode (LED) technology, which is more energy efficient
and may have better color accuracy and thinner panels than LCD monitors.
Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays use organic compounds that
produce light when exposed to an electric current. Unlike LCDs and LEDs,
OLEDs do not require a backlight to function and therefore draw less power
and have a much thinner display, sometimes as thin as 3 mm. They are also
brighter and more environmentally friendly than LCDs. Because of their lower
power needs, OLED displays run longer on a single battery charge than do
LEDs, which is why OLED technology is probably the technology used in
Figure 2.22 Because they don’t
your smartphone, tablet, and digital camera.
need a backlight, OLED displays
Companies like LG are now working on transparent and flexible OLED display screens (see can be made transparent and
Figure 2.22). These screens allow you to see what is behind the screen while still being able to flexible. (Yonhap/EPA/Newscom)

Output Devices 51
 display information on the screen. These types
Rear glass Colored light of screens present interesting possibilities for
augmentative reality. As described in Chapter 1,
augmented reality (AR) is a view of a real-world
environment whose elements are augmented (or
supplemented) by some type of computer-gen-
Polarizer
erated sensory input such as video, graphics, or
Front glass GPS data. For instance, if you had a transparent
screen on your smartphone and held it up to view
street signs that were in English, you could possi-
bly have your phone display the signs in another
language. Currently, applications like this exist
Unpolarized Polarizer (such as Pokémon Go) but require the use of a
white light camera as well as your screen. But transparent
from backlight screens will eliminate the need for the camera.

How do display screens work?'Display screens

are grids made up of millions of tiny dots, called
Liquid crystals Color filters
pixels. When these pixels are illuminated by the
light waves generated by a fluorescent panel at the
back of your screen, they create the images you
Figure 2.23 A magnification of a single pixel in an LCD monitor.
see on the screen or monitor. Each pixel on 4K and
8K resolution TVs and monitors is made up of four
yellow, red, blue, and green subpixels. Some newer TVs further split the subpixels into upper and
lower, which can brighten and darken independently. LCD monitors are made of two or more sheets
of material filled with a liquid crystal solution (see Figure 2.23). A fluorescent panel at the back of the
LCD monitor generates light waves. When electric current passes through the liquid crystal solution,
the crystals move around and either block the fluorescent light or let the light shine through. This
blocking or passing of light by the crystals causes images to form on the screen. The various combi-
nations of yellow, red, blue, and green make up the components of color we see on our monitors.

What factors affect the quality of a display screen?'Some portable devices don’t provide
a choice of screens. The current iPhone has whatever screen Apple chooses to use. But when
choosing a laptop or a monitor for a desktop, you have options to compare.
The most important factors to consider are aspect ratio and resolution. The aspect ratio is the
width-to-height proportion of a monitor. Traditionally, aspect ratios have been 4:3, but newer
monitors are available with an aspect ratio of 16:9 to accommodate HD video. The screen res-
olution, or the clearness or sharpness of the image, reflects the number of pixels on the screen.
An LCD monitor may have a native (or maximum) resolution of 1600 × 1200, meaning it contains
1600 vertical columns with 1200 pixels in each column. The higher the resolution, the sharper
and clearer the image, but generally, the resolution of an LCD monitor is dictated by the screen
size and aspect ratio. Although you can change the resolution of an LCD monitor beyond its
native resolution, the images may become distorted. Generally, you should buy a monitor with
the highest resolution available for the screen size (measured in inches).
Is a bigger screen size always better?'The bigger the screen, the more you can
display, and depending on what you want to display, size may matter. In general, the
larger the screen, the larger the number of pixels it can display. For example, a 27-inch
monitor can display 2560 × 1440 pixels, whereas a 21.5-inch monitor may only be
able to display 1680 × 1050 pixels. However, new monitors have at least the 1920 ×
1080 resolution (based on the HDTV resolution) required to display Blu-ray movies.
Larger screens can also allow you to view multiple documents or web pages at the
same time. However, buying two smaller monitors might be cheaper than buying one
large monitor. For either option—a big screen or two separate screens—check that
your computer has the video hardware needed to support the display devices.
What device provides the highest resolution? 8K monitors and TVs are now on
the market and feature a whopping 7680 × 4320 resolution. The most cost-effective
Figure 2.24 Interactive white boards are now high-resolution devices are probably still Ultra HD (otherwise known as 4K) monitors
common output/input devices found in class- and TVs. Ultra HD has a resolution of 3840 × 2160, which is four times the pixels of the
rooms and conference rooms. (Monkey Business original HD devices. However, to take advantage of high-resolution devices, your media
Images/Shutterstock) provider needs to stream your content at these higher resolutions. So make sure to

52 Chapter 2 Looking at Computers: Understanding the Parts

Bits&Bytes Y%#-!U(%J,!31442+(;#.(1+!ZYU3[P!B#C!Z1-!\%.!B#(,[!N+C@'%-%!@(.'!012-!B'1+%

>-&,"5$4"-*/12&*0"&*"-"4(1-&'"31$4("A&12"/$64")2$*("$4"A-1.2"'-1('/S"F$"-..$+)'&32"
12&3B"/$64",(@&.(3"63("-"3(1"$5".$++6*&.-1&$*")4$1$.$'3".-''(,"near field communi-
cation (NFC)7"9(@&.(3"(Z6&))(,"A&12"c?:".-*".$++6*&.-1("A&12"(-.2"$12(4"A2(*"
12(/"-4("2(',"&*".'$3(")4$E&+&1/"G3(("?&064("H7HOJ7"\2(*")-/&*0"A&12"/$64",(@&.(B"
c?:"(*-%'(3"12("&*)61"$5")-/+(*1"&*5$4+-1&$*"G/$64".4(,&1d,(%&1".-4,"*6+%(4J"
&*1$"-"+(4.2-*1X3".$+)61(4"3/31(+7
W61"2$A".-*"-*"-41&31"3(''&*0"2&3"$4"2(4"A$4<"-1"-*"-41"32$A"&*"-")-4<B"5$4"
(E-+)'(B"-..()1"+$%&'(")-/+(*13S"c$A".$+)-*&(3"'&<("CZ6-4("-4(",()'$/&*0"
4(-,(43"12-1".$**(.1"A&4('(33'/"1$"!))'("-*,"!*,4$&,",(@&.(3"G'&<(".(''")2$*(3"
$4"1-%'(13J"-*,"-''$A".631$+(43"1$")-/"63&*0"c?:D(*-%'(,",(@&.(37"c$A"/$6".-*"
3(''"/$64")4$,6.13"-*,"3(4@&.(3"-*/A2(4("-*,"31&''"-..()1"-''"12("'-1(31")-/+(*1"
Figure 2.25 Portable NFC communication devices for
1(.2*$'$0&(3e
accepting payments are now commonplace. (Wavebreak
Media ltd/Alamy Stock Photo)

check with your provider before running out and buying the newest high-resolution device the next
time you need one.
How do I show output to a large group of people?'You can always connect your computing
device to an HDTV if you have one large enough to be seen by the entire group. Another option is
a projector, which lets you project images from your device onto a wall or screen. Small and light-
weight portable projectors are ideal for businesspeople who make presentations at client locations.
Entertainment projectors include stereo speakers and multimedia connectors, making them a good
option for use in the home to display TV programs, movies, or video games.
In classrooms and conference rooms, projectors are often combined with another output device,
the interactive white board (see Figure 2.24). A projector projects the computer’s display onto the
interactive white board’s surface. The touch-sensitive board doubles as an input device and allows
users to control and provide input to the computer using a pen, finger, or stylus. Notes and annota-
tions can be captured and saved from the white board to the attached computer.

Audio Output
What are the output devices for sound?'All portable computing devices include integrated speak-
ers, the output devices for sound. These speakers are sufficient for playing audio clips you find on the
web and usually for letting you make videoconference or phone calls over the Internet. However, if you
plan to digitally edit audio files or are particular about how your music sounds, you may want a more
sophisticated speaker system, such as one that includes subwoofers (special speakers that produce
only low bass sounds) and surround-sound speakers. A surround-sound system is a set of
speakers and audio processing equipment that envelops the listener in a 360-degree
field of sound. Wireless speaker systems are widely available, enabling you to con-
nect portable devices to quality speakers easily.
Headphones or earbuds connect wirelessly or plug into the same jack on
your computing device to which external speakers connect. Studies of
users of portable devices have shown that hearing might be damaged by
excessive volume, especially when using earbuds because they fit into the
ear canals, so limit the volume when you use these devices.

B-(+.%-)
Objective 2.8 Describe various types of printers, and explain when you would use them.
What are the different types of printers?'Another common output device is the printer, which
creates hard copies (copies you can touch) of text and graphics. There are two primary categories Figure 2.26 Inkjet printers are
of printers common in the home and office: inkjet and laser. popular among home users, espe-
cially since high-end inkjet printers
What are the advantages of inkjet printers?'Inkjet printers (see Figure 2.26) are pop- can print high-quality photographic
ular because they’re affordable and produce high-quality printouts quickly and quietly. Inkjet images. (Tankist276/Shutterstock)

Output Devices 53
 Figure 2.27! R1@!Q#)%-!B-(+.%-)!W1-$

Laser printer 1. Residual toner removed from drum by scraping or by passing

under a discharging and erasing lamp.
laser
laser beam
2. Uniform high-voltage negative
charge applied to drum. negative
charger

rotating
fuser roller
hexagonal mirror

photoreceptor
lenses drum
path of laser beam

3. Laser beam selectively discharges

the images areas onto the rotaing
drum, reversing the strong negative
charge to a weak positve charge.

toner hopper
printed side
of paper
toner roller
paper tray

blank paper

positive charger
negatively charged
4. Negatively charged toner toner particles
particles adhere to only the
areas given a positve charge 7. Toner particles
5. Paper receives a 6. Negatively charged toner are fused or melted
by the laser. strong positive charge.
particles on the drum are onto the paper.
transferred to the paper.
(Universal Images Group North America LLC/Alamy Stock Photo)

printers work by spraying tiny drops of ink onto paper and are great for printing black-and-
white text as well as color images. In fact, when loaded with the right paper, higher-end inkjet
printers can print images that look like professional-quality photos. One thing to consider when
buying an inkjet printer is the type and cost of the ink cartridges the printer needs. Some print-
ers use two cartridges: black and color. Others use four or more cartridges: typically, cyan,
magenta, yellow, and black. The four-color printing process many inkjets use is known as
CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and key, which is usually represented by black).
Why would I want a laser printer?'A laser printer uses laser beams and static electricity to
deliver toner (similar to ink) onto the correct areas of the page (see Figure 2.27). Heat is used to
fuse the toner to the page, making the image permanent. Laser printers are often used because
they print faster than inkjet printers and produce higher-quality printouts. Black-and-white and color
laser printers are both affordable for home use. If you print a high volume of pages, consider a laser
printer. When you include the price of ink or toner in the overall cost, color laser printers can be
more economical than inkjets.
What’s the best way to print from portable devices such as tablets and smart-
phones?'Wireless printers are great for printing from portable devices. Wireless printers are
also a good option for home networks, as they let several people print to the same printer from
different devices and any location in the home. There are two types of wireless printers: Wi-Fi
and Bluetooth. Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth printers have a range of up to approximately 300 feet.
Wi-Fi, however, sends data more quickly than Bluetooth.
If you’re using a device running Apple’s iOS (such as an iPhone), AirPrint makes printing easy. Air-
Print is a feature of iOS that facilitates printing to AirPrint-compatible wireless printers, and many
printers produced today are AirPrint compatible. For non-Apple devices, newer wireless printers
come with their own app that enables printing from portable devices. After installing the app on
your device, you can send print jobs to the wireless printer.

54 Chapter 2 Looking at Computers: Understanding the Parts

Figure 2.28 Cloud-ready printers only need an Internet connection and then can be accessed from any mobile
device.

Another option is Google Cloud Print, a service that lets you configure your printers so you
can access them from mobile devices. Google Cloud Print uses cloud-ready printers (see
Figure 2.28) that are available from manufacturers such as HP, Kodak, and Epson. These
printers connect directly to the Internet and register themselves with Google Cloud Print.
Once a printer is registered with Cloud Print, printing jobs can be sent to it from mobile
devices (such as tablets and smartphones) using the Internet. Conventional printers that you
already own can also be registered with Cloud Print, although they require connection to the
Internet through a computer.
Are there any other types of specialty printers?'Although you’ll probably use laser or inkjet
printers most often, you might encounter other types of printers (shown in Figure 2.29):
• An all-in-one printer combines the functions of a printer, scanner, copier, and fax into one
machine. Popular for their space-saving convenience, all-in-one printers may use either inkjet or
laser technology.
• A large format printer generates oversize images such as banners, posters, and infographics
that require more sophisticated color detail. Some of these printers use up to 12 different inks to
achieve high-quality color images.
• A 3D printer is used to print three-dimensional objects. For example, parts can be built on the
spot when needed using a 3D printer. 3D printers build such objects one layer at a time from the
bottom up. They begin by spreading a layer of powder on a platform. Then, depending on the
technology, the printer uses nozzles to spray tiny drops of glue at specific places to solidify the
powder, or the powder is solidified through a melting process. The printer repeats this process
until the object is built. This technology is now used for the manufacturing of a variety of con-
sumer goods, from toys to clothing.

a b c

Figure 2.29 Specialty printers: (a) all-in-one printer, (b) large format printer, (c) 3D printer. (Interior Design/Shutterstock; Koktaro/Shutterstock; Stockbroker/MBI/
Alamy Stock Photo)

Output Devices 55
Bits&Bytes "%,(;#J!9%:(;%)!#+,!69!B-(+.(+/

N9")4&*1&*0"&3"*$A"%(&*0"63(,"&*"12("+(,&.-'".$++6*&1/7"?$4" 3&+&'-4")4&*1&*0"1(.2*$'$0&(3"1$"%6&',"2(-41B"%$*(B"-*,"%'$$,"@(3D
(E-+)'(B"2(-4&*0"-&,3"-4(".644(*1'/"%(&*0")4$,6.(,"63&*0"N9" 3('"1&336(3"&*"12("'-%7"F2(/"2-@("-'3$",(@('$)(,"-"A-/"1$"f)4&*1g"
)4&*1(43B"A2&.2"-''$A"+-*65-.164(43"1$"$55(4"*$1"$*'/"-".63D 4(31$4-1&@(".(''3",&4(.1'/"&*1$"-"3$',&(4X3"A$6*,"-1"12("3&1("A2(4("
1$+"5&1"%61"&*,&@&,6-'"3<&*".$'$4"+-1.2&*0"-3"A(''"G1$"+-<("12(" 12("&*^64/"$..644(,B"1263"3&0*&5&.-*1'/"&+)4$@&*0"12("3$',&(4X3"
,(@&.(3"'(33"@&3&%'(J7"!*,"4(3(-4.2(43"-1"\-<("?$4(31"L*31&161(" .2-*.(3"$5"364@&@-'7"C$"*(E1"1&+("/$6"@&3&1"12(",$.1$4B"N9")4&*1&*0"
5$4"[(0(*(4-1&@("#(,&.&*("2-@(",(@('$)(,"-"+(12$,"$5"63&*0" +&021"%("^631"12(".64("/$6"*((,e

How do I choose the best printer?'If you’re planning to print color photos and graphics, an
inkjet printer or a color laser printer is a must, even though the cost per page will be higher. If
you’ll be printing mostly text–based documents or will be sharing your printer with others, a laser
printer is best because of its speed and overall economy for volume printing. It’s also important
to determine whether you want just a printer or a device that prints and scans, copies, or faxes.
In addition, you should decide whether you need to print from mobile devices.
Once you’ve narrowed down the type of printer you want, you can use the criteria listed in Table 2.2
to help you determine the best model to meet your needs.

Table 2.2! "#_1-!B-(+.%-!N..-(D2.%)

?..+4,@.$ D8>/4B$+".48>/

N!$$B b" >4&*1"3)((,"&3"+(-364(,"&*")(3"#-)"!-1$4+%"-566787

b" W'-.<D-*,DA2&1(",$.6+(*13")4&*1"5-31(4"12-*".$'$4",$.6+(*137
b" ;-3(4")4&*1(43"$51(*")4&*1"5-31(4"12-*"&*<^(137

O$/87@.48> b" [(3$'61&$*"4(5(43"1$"-")4&*1(4X3"&+-0(".'-4&1/7

b" [(3$'61&$*"&3"+(-364(,"&*"9.%#-)"!-$4':-59)$87
b" R&02(4",)&"h"04(-1(4"'(@('"$5",(1-&'"-*,".'-4&1/7
b" [(.$++(*,(,",)&=
b" W'-.<D-*,DA2&1("1(E1="NVV
b" i(*(4-'")64)$3("&+-0(3="IHVV
b" >2$1$3="M_VV

D878+'F@.!@. b" >4&*1(43"A&12"3()-4-1(".-414&,0(3"5$4"(-.2".$'$4")4$,6.("12("%(31"Z6-'&1/"$61)617

b" L*<^(1"-*,"'-3(4".$'$4")4&*1(43"0(*(4-''/"2-@("5$64".-414&,0(3"G%'-.<B"./-*B"+-0(*1-B"-*,"/(''$AJ7
b" R&02(4DZ6-'&1/")4&*1(43"2-@("3&E".-414&,0(3"G12("5$64"-%$@(")'63"'&021"./-*"-*,"'&021"+-0(*1-J7
b" \&12"3()-4-1(".-414&,0(3B"/$6"$*'/"*((,"1$"4()'-.("12("(+)1/"$*(7

D8/.'8K' b" :$*36+-%'(3"-4(")4&*1(4".-414&,0(3"-*,")-)(47

D8>/@G",7$/ b" >4&*1(4".-414&,0(3".-*"(E.((,"12(".$31"$5"3$+(")4&*1(437
b" :$*36+(4"+-0-Q&*(3"36.2"-3";.4#+1"!-<").!%#".-*"2(')"/$6"4(3(-4.2".$3137

(Freshidea/Fotolia; Michael Nivelet/Fotolia; Thomas Amby/Fotolia; Tomislav Forgo/Fotolia)

;$K8+$'G8J4>#'8>'.8'L"+.'9M

?M! !W#.;'!3'#5.%-!>:%-:(%@!A(,%1!IM?M
IM! &'%+!.#$%!.'%!3'%;$!012-!*+,%-).#+,(+/!]2(^M

56 Chapter 2 Looking at Computers: Understanding the Parts