Printer (computing)

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HP Laserjet 5 DN 1

Printer (computing) refers to a peripheral device that makes a persistent human-readable representation of graphics or text on paper or similar physical media. The first computer printer designed was a mechanically driven apparatus by Charles Babbage for his difference engine in the 19th century; however, his mechanical printer design was not built until 2000. The first electronic printer was the EP-101, introduced by Epson in 1968.

Types of Printers[edit | edit source]

There are several types of printers, and they can be broadly categorized into impact and non-impact printers.

Impact Printers[edit | edit source]

Impact printers operate by directly contacting the paper to produce text or images. This category includes:

  • Dot matrix printers, which use a print head that moves back-and-forth or in an up-and-down motion on the page and prints by impact, striking an ink-soaked cloth ribbon against the paper, much like a typewriter.
  • Daisy wheel printers, similar to typewriters, use a wheel to print letters. They are known for their high-quality text printing but are much slower than other types of printers.

Non-impact Printers[edit | edit source]

Non-impact printers do not use a striking head to print. This category includes:

  • Inkjet printers, which spray tiny droplets of ink onto the paper. They can produce high-quality text and graphics.
  • Laser printers, which use a laser beam to produce an image on a drum, which is then rolled in toner (powdered ink), and the toner is transferred onto the paper and fused to the paper with heat.
  • Thermal printers, which use heat to produce an image on special heat-sensitive paper. They are commonly used in calculators and fax machines.

Connectivity[edit | edit source]

Modern printers can connect to a computer via various interfaces. The most common interfaces are:

  • USB - Universal Serial Bus is a common interface for connecting printers to computers.
  • Ethernet - Used for network printers that can be shared among multiple users on the same network.
  • Wi-Fi - Allows printers to connect to a network wirelessly, offering greater flexibility in placement.
  • Bluetooth - Enables direct printing from mobile devices without the need for a network.

Printer Software[edit | edit source]

Printers require software drivers to operate. These drivers translate data from the computer into a format that the printer can understand. Printer manufacturers typically provide drivers for various operating systems to ensure compatibility.

3D Printing[edit | edit source]

Apart from traditional printing on paper, 3D printing has emerged as a technology that builds three-dimensional objects from digital models. 3D printers use different materials, such as plastic, metal, and resin, to create objects layer by layer.

Environmental Impact[edit | edit source]

Printers, especially those used in large volumes, can have a significant environmental impact. Concerns include the use of paper, energy consumption, and the disposal of consumables like toner cartridges and ink cartridges. Many manufacturers and third-party companies offer recycling programs to mitigate these effects.

See Also[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD