The computer printer and what it's about reveals the development of a machine peripheral to the computer, which it normally acts in support of. Many computer users rarely give a second's consideration to printers, which have as their main task the printing out of documents that have been electronically stored in the computer. They are outstanding at what they do, and they've been by the computer's side for years.
For the most part, computer printers are peripheral devices meant to interface with a PC or Mac. This means they have been developed to support the overall mission of the computer. Nowadays, they're found next to or near just about any PC or Mac as a local device (meant to print out just for that computer) or as the network device for a group of computers, all of whom "share" the printer.
Recently, many modern printers have been designed to interface in a direct manner with many different types of media devices. For example, a digital camera may come equipped with some sort of memory card or stick on which the camera will store its images. New printers are able interface with the memory card and print out the images without needing a computer as the intermediary controlling device.
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.
Most printers designed for PCs or Macs -- and even those meant to be connected to a network -- are considered to be low-volume, short turnaround-time printing machines. This means the print job they handle can be tasked directly and then almost immediately produced. In contrast, commercial printing services specialize in high-quality reproductions on longer turnaround times.
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.
For the most part, computer printers are peripheral devices meant to interface with a PC or Mac. This means they have been developed to support the overall mission of the computer. Nowadays, they're found next to or near just about any PC or Mac as a local device (meant to print out just for that computer) or as the network device for a group of computers, all of whom "share" the printer.
Recently, many modern printers have been designed to interface in a direct manner with many different types of media devices. For example, a digital camera may come equipped with some sort of memory card or stick on which the camera will store its images. New printers are able interface with the memory card and print out the images without needing a computer as the intermediary controlling device.
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.
Most printers designed for PCs or Macs -- and even those meant to be connected to a network -- are considered to be low-volume, short turnaround-time printing machines. This means the print job they handle can be tasked directly and then almost immediately produced. In contrast, commercial printing services specialize in high-quality reproductions on longer turnaround times.
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.
About the Author:
Matthew Kerridge is an expert in computer products. If you want more information about types of printer or are searching for a trusted computer retailer please visit http://www.ebuyer.com