Section: Output Devices
...Subsection: Printer

Printers take information from the CPU and transfer it to paper. There are a number of different printer technologies available.

Dot Matrix

Dot Matrix printers are inexpensive and reliable, but they are loud and slow. They do not have nearly the print quality of some of the other types of printers.

Ink Jet

Ink Jet printers squirt small streams of ink onto the paper. They tend to be slightly more expensive than dot matrix printers, but the quiet operation and improved print quality make them very popular with buyers of home computers. Some ink jet printers can make color prints. These can be very entertaining, but the ink becomes expensive.

Laser Printers

Laser Printers use a combination of laser and copying technology to make very clear copies. Laser printers tend to make clearer copies than the other types of printers, and operate much more quickly, but they can be quite expensive to purchase and maintain.

Many people try to save money on a printer purchase and are disappointed. If the main reason you will use your computer is to type letters, remember that the people you write to will not see your monitor. What they will see is only what comes out of your printer. If printed documents are an important part of what you will use a computer for, consider a higher quality printer. Ink Jets are probably most appropriate for home use, and laser printers are more popular in an office setting. A dot matrix machine is fine for test printing or use on a kid's computer, but you will be disappointed with the results if you try to use it for business correspondence.

Before buying an ink jet, find out how much the ink cartridges cost, and how long they tend to last. With a laser printer, be sure to check on the cost of toner cartridges.