Page 5 - Computer Basics - Research

Flash drives (also called jump drives): Handy, compact devices that
you can use to transport your data (documents, photos) from one
computer to another. They can hold much information and are
rewritable, which means you can use them over and over again.
Currently, the affordable capacity is between 1 Gigabyte (about $4)
and 1 Terabyte (about $200). A 2 TB drive costs about $1,650 (big
price jump)!

3. Hardware: The physical devices that make up a computer system,
such as the CPU, printer, keyboard (shown in photo at right), monitor,
mouse, scanner, and other peripheral devices.

4. Mouse: A pointer device that is used to move
around the computer screen. It usually has 2
buttons and a center-scroll wheel. The mouse can
do various functions, such as select functions, bring up a file menu, and open a file. They
come with a cord, normally a USB connection, or they can be wireless. A wireless mouse
requires a battery, which normally can operate the mouse for between 6 months and one
year. It also has a USB receiver that must be plugged into a USB port on your computer.

5. Printer: The device that is used to print documents directly from a computer. Some printers are multi-
functional, which means they can be used as a fax, a copier, and a scanner in addition to their function as a
printer.

Printers utilize various technologies to create images on paper.

An inkjet printer has one or more heads that spray liquid ink onto the surface of
the paper. They are capable of producing high-quality and photo-realistic prints
and require very limited warm-up time. They are normally smaller in size than
other printers. However, the ink supplies for them tend to cost much more than
those of other printers, the paper comes out wet, and in the long run, they are
less reliable than other printers.

A laser printer uses a laser to draw an image on a light-sensitive drum. The drum attracts
ink, which has a magnetic charge, and the image is then transferred to a piece of paper and
heated to solidify the ink. They are more cost-effective than inkjet printers, can be faster,
have a higher paper capacity, have expandable paper trays and finishers. However, they
require “warm-up” time, are normally much larger in size, and the high voltage (heating
element) leads to small carbon emissions.

Solid Ink Printers utilize a unique form of ink technology, designed to save space and
money on packaging. The printers melt solid ink sticks during the printing process – a method which can help
produce more vibrant tones. It uses non-toxic vegetable oils, is compact, and consumables require less storage
space. It does require a warm-up and cool-down time. Prints from this printer cannot be laminated.

LED Printers are similar to laser printers but use a light-emitting diode rather than a laser to create the images on
the drum. They have fewer moving parts and are more reliable than laser printers. They are reliable and
efficient, cost considerably less than laser printers, and last much longer. There are no downsides to LED
printers.

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