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