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