A quick background on the computer printer is sometimes necessary whenever computer users -- who seem to take printers for granted -- become too incurious about this vital computer peripheral. They do their task -- printing out hard copy documents of various types from electronically stored information -- exceedingly well. They've also been around, as a companion to the computer, for quite a while.
Most often, printers are generally considered to be a device peripheral to the actual computer; meaning that it supports the overall task of a computer. They can be found next to just about every PC or Mac, and they're normally local. This means they're hooked up to a single computer, though many can be integrated into a computer network to handle print jobs for the whole network.
Many modern printers today are also able to interface directly with media devices such as digital cameras, for example. With a memory card or memory stick the camera uses to store images (which is made to interface with printers), images can be produced without having to use a PC or Mac as an intermediary. The print job can be tasked solely by the print machine and the user.
Many times -- when interfaced with a computer in a small office/home office or home situation -- printers can be bundled together in one package with other peripherals such as scanners and fax machines. These printers are known as all-in-one machines and they combine print capabilities with the ability to scan documents into the computer or fax documents directly from the computer, in many cases.
Almost all printers are classed as "low volume/short turnaround" print machines. The output they're expected to produce, after tasking from a printer or directly from a memory stick and its owner is expected to be almost immediate in its appearance. By way of contrast, consider the high-volume/longer-turnaround-time nature of most printing businesses.
In relative terms, most computer printers are considered to be slow at what they do, with the maximum print speed from the best of them being 30 or pages per minute (PPM) of output at a relatively high cost-per-page ratio. However, the convenience gained from having direct control of printing costs and having the product produced when and where it's needed can weigh in the printer's favor.
As a vital companion to the personal computer or Mac, or a network of PCs or Macs, the computer printer has developed pretty much right alongside the computer for many years. It's generally meant to be for lower-volume, but short turn-time, print jobs and it can be easily interfaced with a computer or within a network of computers. It's so ubiquitous; most computer users never even give its presence a second thought. - 29854
Most often, printers are generally considered to be a device peripheral to the actual computer; meaning that it supports the overall task of a computer. They can be found next to just about every PC or Mac, and they're normally local. This means they're hooked up to a single computer, though many can be integrated into a computer network to handle print jobs for the whole network.
Many modern printers today are also able to interface directly with media devices such as digital cameras, for example. With a memory card or memory stick the camera uses to store images (which is made to interface with printers), images can be produced without having to use a PC or Mac as an intermediary. The print job can be tasked solely by the print machine and the user.
Many times -- when interfaced with a computer in a small office/home office or home situation -- printers can be bundled together in one package with other peripherals such as scanners and fax machines. These printers are known as all-in-one machines and they combine print capabilities with the ability to scan documents into the computer or fax documents directly from the computer, in many cases.
Almost all printers are classed as "low volume/short turnaround" print machines. The output they're expected to produce, after tasking from a printer or directly from a memory stick and its owner is expected to be almost immediate in its appearance. By way of contrast, consider the high-volume/longer-turnaround-time nature of most printing businesses.
In relative terms, most computer printers are considered to be slow at what they do, with the maximum print speed from the best of them being 30 or pages per minute (PPM) of output at a relatively high cost-per-page ratio. However, the convenience gained from having direct control of printing costs and having the product produced when and where it's needed can weigh in the printer's favor.
As a vital companion to the personal computer or Mac, or a network of PCs or Macs, the computer printer has developed pretty much right alongside the computer for many years. It's generally meant to be for lower-volume, but short turn-time, print jobs and it can be easily interfaced with a computer or within a network of computers. It's so ubiquitous; most computer users never even give its presence a second thought. - 29854
About the Author:
Matthew Kerridge is an expert in computer consumables. If you would like more information about types of printer or are looking for a reputable computer retailer please visit http://www.ebuyer.com
