Exploring Computer Printers - JSS1 Computer Sudies Lesson Note

A computer printer is an essential device that takes digital information from your computer screen and transforms it into a tangible, printed form. There are different types of printers, broadly categorized into impact and non-impact printers, each with unique features and functions.

Image from Wikipedia

Impact Printers:

1. Dot Matrix Printers: Dot matrix printers are a type of impact printer that uses tiny pins to strike an inked ribbon, creating patterns of dots on paper. They are durable and suitable for printing multipart forms. However, they are not known for high-quality graphics.

2. Daisy Wheel Printers: Daisy wheel printers use a wheel with characters or symbols on its spokes. When a character is selected, the wheel rotates to the correct position, and a hammer strikes the selected character against an ink ribbon. These printers are known for producing high-quality text but can be slow.

Non-Impact Printers:

1. Inkjet Printers: Inkjet printers are common in homes and offices. They spray tiny droplets of ink onto paper to create text and images. They are versatile and can produce high-quality prints, making them suitable for various tasks, from documents to colorful photos.

2. Laser Printers: Laser printers use a laser beam to create an electrostatic image on a rotating drum, which attracts toner (powdered ink). The toner is then transferred to paper and fused with heat. Laser printers are fast and efficient, making them ideal for large-volume printing.

3. Thermal Printers: Thermal printers use heat to produce images on special thermal paper. They are commonly used in receipt printers and label printers. While they are fast and quiet, the prints may fade over time and are sensitive to heat and light.