Computer Basics - Types of Printers

Types of Printers

Printers are classified into two main categories:

  1. Impact Printers

  2. Non-Impact Printers

Impact Printers

These printers work by striking an ink ribbon to transfer ink onto paper, similar to a typewriter.

a) Dot Matrix Printer

  • Uses pins to form characters as a pattern of dots.

  • Common in offices for printing receipts or multi-part forms.

  • Pros: Low cost, can print carbon copies.

  • Cons: Noisy, low print quality.

b) Daisy Wheel Printer

  • Uses a wheel with pre-formed characters (like a typewriter).

  • Characters are printed one at a time.

  • Pros: High-quality text printing.

  • Cons: Slow and limited to text only.

c) Line Printer

  • Prints an entire line at a time.

  • Mostly used in large-scale business environments.

  • Pros: Fast printing.

  • Cons: Very noisy and only prints text.

2. Non-Impact Printers

These printers do not strike the paper. They are quieter and faster than impact printers.

a) Inkjet Printer

  • Sprays tiny drops of ink onto the paper.

  • Good for color printing and photo printing.

  • Pros: High-quality print, inexpensive models.

  • Cons: Ink can smudge, cartridges need frequent replacement.

b) Laser Printer

  • Uses a laser beam and toner powder to print.

  • Ideal for high-speed, high-quality printing.

  • Pros: Fast, durable, and sharp prints.

  • Cons: More expensive than inkjet upfront.

c) Thermal Printer

  • Uses heat-sensitive paper and heat to print.

  • Common in receipt printing (e.g., at shops or ATMs).

  • Pros: Quiet, low maintenance.

  • Cons: Fades over time, only black-and-white prints.

d) LED Printer

  • Similar to laser printers but uses LED lights instead of a laser beam.

  • Pros: Fewer moving parts, reliable.

  • Cons: Can be costly for high-end models.