PRINTERS

put Devices Printer • Printer is an external hardware device responsible for taking computer data and generating a hard copy of that data. • Printers are one of the most used peripherals on computers and are commonly used to print text, images, and photos. CSCA0101 Computing Basics 23 Output Devices Types of Printer Printers can be categorized into: • Impact Printer • Non-Impact Printer CSCA0101 Computing Basics 24 Output Devices Impact Printer • It strikes paper and ribbon together to form a character, like a typewriter. Advantages Disadvantages • Less expensive • Can make multiple copies with multipart paper • Noisy • Print quality lower in some types • Poor graphics or none at all • Slow CSCA0101 Computing Basics 25 Output Devices Impact Printer Daisy-wheel • Similar to a ball-head typewriter, this type of printer has a plastic or metal wheel on which the shape of each character stands out in relief. • A hammer presses the wheel against a ribbon, which in turn makes an ink stain in the shape of the character on the paper. • Daisy-wheel printers produce letter-quality print but cannot print graphics. CSCA0101 Computing Basics 26 Output Devices Impact Printer Daisy-wheel CSCA0101 Computing Basics 27 Output Devices Impact Printer Dot-Matrix • Creates characters by striking pins against an ink ribbon. • Each pin makes a dot, and combinations of dots form characters and illustrations. CSCA0101 Computing Basics 28 Output Devices Impact Printer Dot-Matrix CSCA0101 Computing Basics 29 Output Devices Non-Impact Printer • It uses ink spray, toner powder or inkless Advantages Disadvantages • Quiet • Can handle graphics and often a wider variety of fonts than impact printers • Fast • More expensive • Occupies a lot of space • The cost of maintaining it is high CSCA0101 Computing Basics 30 Output Devices Non-Impact Printer Laser Printer (Toner-based) • A laser printer rapidly produces high quality text and graphics. • Laser printers are often used in corporate, school, and other environments that require print jobs to be completed quickly and in large quantities. CSCA0101 Computing Basics 31 Output Devices Non-Impact Printer Multifunction Printer (Toner-based) • An MFP is an office machine which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one. • A typical MFP may act as a combination of some or all of the following devices: – Printer – Scanner – Photocopier – Fax CSCA0101 Computing Basics 32 Output Devices Non-Impact Printer Ink-jet Printer • Inkjet printer operates by propelling variably-sized droplets of liquid or molten material (ink) onto almost any sized page. • They are the most common type of computer printer used by consumers.