Collins Guide chapter 2
Various types. CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) now on its way out, replaced by LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and TFT (Thin Film Transistor) screens.
Advantages: TFTs light and flat, CRTs may be hazardous to health (largely replaced by LCDs)
Disadvantages: overuse may strain eyes
For all printer types identify suitable uses and features such as purchase costs, running costs, quality of output and speed.
Various types including laser, ink-jet and dye-sublimation. Laser is fast and good for text so is popular in offices. Ink-jet is slow and less robust but cheap to buy so is popular in homes. Ink-jet is better at printing high-quality photographic images.
Specialised output device with pens for output of drawings such as architectural and engineering plans.
Advantages: clear drawings drawn with continuous lines, not raster graphics, large scale drawings (up to A0)
Disadvantages: large and expensive
Output voice and music.
Advantages: Can hear sounds!
Disadvantages: Can be too noisy.
Provide output in a control system such as a burglar alarm, a heating system, a greenhouse (open windows when too hot).
Advantages: useful in a range of situations
Disadvantages: none