An output device is a piece of hardware that sends information from a computer to the outside world. This can include displaying text and graphics on a monitor, printing documents on a printer, or sending data to another computer or device.
Output devices are often used to give people information that has been processed by a computer, such as the results of a calculation or a report.
Types of Output Device:
There are many different types of output devices, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Some standard output devices include:
Monitor: A monitor is the most common type of output device. It displays text, graphics, and video on a screen. Monitors come in various sizes, with the most popular being between 15 and 17 inches.
Printer: Printers are another common type of output device. They are used to print documents, photos, and other images onto paper. Printers come in various types, including inkjet, laser, and thermal.
Plotter: A plotter is a type of printer used to print vector graphics. Vector graphics are lines and shapes and are often used for illustrations, logos, and other graphic design work.
Speakers: Speakers are another common type of output device. They are used to play sound from the computer, such as music, movies, or games. Speakers come in various sizes and shapes and can be either external or internal.
Headphones: Headphones are a type of output device used to listen to sound from the computer without disturbing other people.
- Related: Input Devices Explained
Output devices can be either internal or external. Internal output devices are pieces of hardware inside the computer case, such as the monitor, printer, and speakers. External output devices are pieces of hardware that are outside the computer case, such as a USB flash drive or an external hard drive.
History of output device
The first output device was the Teletype, which was invented in 1923. It was a machine that printed text on paper and was used to send messages between computers. The first monitor was also invented in 1923 and was called the CRT (Cathode Ray Tube).
It displayed text and graphics on a screen and was used for debugging programs. The first printer was invented in 1938 and was called the dot matrix printer. It printed documents on paper using a series of tiny needles that punched holes in the paper. The first laser printer was invented in 1969. The first inkjet printer was invented in 1976.
