A device that prints documents stored in electronic form as text or illustrations on paper or transparencies. In terms of the technology utilized, printers fall into the following categories:
Dot-matrix: Create characters by striking pins against an inked ribbon. Each pin makes a dot, and combination's of dots form characters and illustrations.
Ink jet and bubble jet: Work by spraying ink at a sheet of paper, produce high-quality text and graphics.
Laser: Uses the same technology as Xerox machines. Laser printers produce very high quality text and graphics.
LCD & LED : Similar to a laser printer, but use liquid crystals or light-emitting diodes rather than a laser to produce an image.
Line printer: Contain a chain of characters or pins that print an entire line at one time. Line printers are very fast, up to 3,000 lines per minute, but produce low-quality print.
Thermal printer: Work by pushing heated pins against heat-sensitive paper. Direct interface: In addition, many modern printers can directly interface to electronic media such as memory sticks or memory cards, or to image capture devices such as digital cameras and scanners.
