| A printer is a useful output device that | | | | important to check out the memory capacity, |
| prints the data from a computer into a | | | | when it falls short of printing papers. This |
| printing material like paper. There are | | | | is evaluated in MB; the more the memory |
| various types, the most common ones being | | | | capacity, the speeder the printer. |
| inkjet and laser. Inkjet is very useful to | | | | |
| reproduce true colours, which only a very | | | | The drivers are given along with the |
| expensive laser one can produce. However, the | | | | software. The updates for the drivers are |
| printing speeds are lower and the text | | | | made available in the manufacturer's website |
| quality can be low when compared to laser. | | | | itself. Many all-in-ones give the facilities |
| The running costs can be higher as well. But | | | | to fax, copy and scan without the PC switched |
| overall, for an all-round use, the inkjet is | | | | on, which saves time. Printing speeds should |
| useful. | | | | also be considered, while buying. The |
| | | | competent ones give about 20-25 black and |
| In a laser printer, the speed is very good | | | | white pages per minute. However, the colour |
| and the output quality is also very high. | | | | pages take time depending upon the image |
| However, the cost of toner cartridges for the | | | | resolution etc. |
| laser types is higher when compared to the | | | | |
| ink cartridges. | | | | Power consumption has to be taken into |
| | | | consideration. Some models can waste a lot of |
| The next feature is monochrome or colour | | | | electricity, when in stand-by mode. Also the |
| printer. A monochrome produces black and | | | | various types of printing modes offered has |
| white images only, which is useful for | | | | to be analyzed as well, with the common ones |
| printing text, but is not very appropriate | | | | being standard, typically draft and best |
| for photo printing and other colour | | | | designed. This allows the running costs to be |
| printouts. For an inkjet printer to print | | | | kept minimal. There are various media types |
| both black and white text and colour images, | | | | wherein the print can be done. This includes |
| 4 colours should be available in the | | | | different shapes, sizes and types of papers, |
| cartridge. | | | | CD/DVD, labels etc. Appropriate printers |
| | | | should be used for the specific needs. |
| There is a feature called PictBridge, which | | | | |
| allows transfer of photos from a memory card | | | | Some also offer printing at both the sides, |
| of a digital camera into the printer directly | | | | which is a very good and useful feature for |
| and produce colour photos printout. The print | | | | many. The final thing to be noted is the |
| size and other features can be altered in the | | | | connections. Mostly the latest versions have |
| camera itself and the printout can be taken | | | | USB ports to attach to different USB devices. |
| directly. | | | | Also some are equipped with Ethernet |
| | | | facilities as well. |
| While purchasing printers, it is better to | | | | |
| have an idea of the cost of cartridges and | | | | Printers are very advantageous and also come |
| the availability, as at first some printers | | | | in various models and types, to suit |
| might be cheaper to buy, but the cost of the | | | | different needs and necessities. Choosing the |
| consumables would be so high and also | | | | right model saves time and also proves |
| difficult to locate, that buying the | | | | useful, along with being cost effective as |
| expensive version becomes more cost effective | | | | well. |
| in the long run! Also in all-in-ones, it is | | | | |