A Plotter is Input or Output Device of Computer System

In the post we will discuss and explain plotter is input or output device with examples and types, advantages, disadvantages in easy language.

The plotters are similar to printers which are used in printing and drawing, diagrams, construction maps, engineering drawings, etc.

The plotter was invented in the year 1953 by Remington Rand. He was an American business machines manufacturer.

What is Plotter in Computer System?

The Plotter is a computer hardware device like a printer used to print vector graphic images. The Plotter uses pen, pencil, marker, or writing devices instead of tonner.

The plotters are considered to be an output device of a computer system that is extensively used for printing graphs, huge designs, construction maps, 3D drawings, architectural designs, engineering plans or business presentations, CAD {Computer Aided Designs}, and charts.

The plotters are easily being added or connected to a standard computer system for printing or use as standalone devices.

They contain memory and an internal processor capable of performing given tasks and jobs alone without any interference from any other devices.

The printers are used for printing regular printouts, but plotters are primarily used for printing big-size printouts, which cannot be done with printers.

The plotters are responsible for printing high-quality outputs. The accuracy of plotters is considered to be approx. 100%.

They can easily print large-size graphic images.

They can be easily connected to a computer system using a USB {Universal Serial Bus} cable.

They can also print multi-color outputs.

The Plotter is Input or Output Device

Before answering the question, is the Plotter an input or output device?

Let us first discuss on input and output devices of the computer system.

Input Devices of Computer System

Input devices are computer peripheral devices used to enter raw data, information, and instructions into the computer system.

These data are further converted into machine-readable form as the computer system cannot understand any other language except machine language or binary language.

Therefore in simple words, the input devices can be understood as the computer hardware devices capable of presenting data from outside the world to a computer system for further processing, which later present output on VDU or can be obtained as a hard copy through the printers.

Some Examples of Input Devices of Computer System

• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Scanner
• Trackball
• Joystick
• Light Pen
• Touch Screens
• Optical Card Reader (OCR)
• Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)
• Optical Bar Code Reader (OBR)
• Voice Recognition Devices
• Optical Mark Reader (OMR)

Output Devices of Computer System

The output devices are computer hardware and peripheral devices used to present output, such as soft copy and hard copy.

The primary examples of output devices are printers and plotters.

The output devices accept data and information from the computer system and convert them into human-readable form.

Examples of Output Devices of Computer System

• Monitors
• Touch Screens
• LCD Monitors or LED Monitors
• Printers
• Speakers
• Headphones
• Sound Cards
• Plotters
• Projectors

As discussed above, there are distinct features of hardware devices; some fall in the input devices category, and some fall in the output devices of computer systems.

The plotters are output devices of a computer system that accepts data and information from the computer system and further convert this data so that humans can easily understand in hard copy.

For Example.

The plotters can print drawing illustrations, diagrams, construction maps, architectural plans, engineering drawings, business charts, and 3D printing and are also used in printing charts.

Therefore according to our discussion, we can conclude that plotters are input devices.

Different Types of Plotters in Computer Systems

There are six different types of Plotters.

• Drum Plotter.
• Flatbed Plotter.
• Inkjet Plotter.
• Cutting Plotter.
• Pen Plotter.
• Thermal Plotter.

The Plotter is Input or Output Device With an Image

The Plotter is Which Type of Device

The computer system consists of two different devices: input devices and output devices.

Input devices and output devices consist of some distinct features that differentiate them according to their characteristics, uses, and applications in computer systems.

Input device accepts data and instructions from outside the world and feeds the data to a computer system, whereas output devices derive output from the computer system.

Now the question arises Plotter is which type of device?

The Plotter falls in the category of output devices; therefore, it can be stated that the Plotter is an output device.

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Benefits and Advantages of Plotters in Points

1. The Plotters can print on large paper sheets to obtain results in high resolution with maintaining and preserving the quality.
2. They are capable of printing on various other materials like plastic sheets, cardboard, wood, aluminum, and steel.
3. They print with incredible speed and consistency.
4. They are very accurate machines.
5. They can print with fantastic speed and do not affect the quality of output it presents.
6. Professionals use plotters extensively in their professional careers.
7. Numerous printouts can be received in less time.
8. They are very efficient devices.
9. The Plotter is used in drawing, diagrams, construction maps, engineering drawings, 3d printing, etc.
10. The Plotters can work with specific software like Adobe Illustrator, Corel, Flexi, and CAD.

Drawbacks Disadvantages of Plotter in Points

1. The Plotters are huge compared to printers.
2. They are expensive.
3. Need massive space for installation.
4. They make noise while printing.
5. They need maintenance.
6. They have issues with their portability.
7. Plotters are used in printing agencies to design and develop giant banners, signboards, signboards, and billboards.

Characteristics of Plotter

10+ Input Devices of Computer

1. Keyboard
2. Mouse
3. Scanner
4. Trackball
5. Joystick
6. Light Pen
7. Touch Screens
8. Optical Card Reader (OCR)
9. Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)
10. Optical Bar Code Reader (OBR)
11. Voice Recognition Devices
12. Optical Mark Reader (OMR)

10 Output Devices of Computer

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