What is a printer

Many computer users sometimes want to purchase a printer as well. The device is very convenient and significantly expands the capabilities of a PC or laptop. It can become an indispensable assistant for a schoolchild or student. A printer is also a must-have in offices, as it allows you to print the necessary documents in seconds. Designers and photographers use printing devices.

Printer: definition and purpose

The printer is designed for printing various text documents, photographs or images. It is connected via wires to the system unit or laptop, after which, through simple manipulations, you can print the required text or image on paper or polymer film at any time.

REFERENCE! The printer is used for small volume printing. This is its main difference from the equipment used in printing houses.

Types of printers: operating principle and main characteristics

There are three main types of printing devices: inkjet, laser, matrix. They differ in a number of characteristics: operating principle, cost, printing speed, size, ability to print color images:

1. Matrix. These printers were the first to appear on the printing device market.They were developed back in 1964. The principle of their operation is based on the use of a special head, needles and electromagnets and is very similar to the functioning of a conventional typewriter. The head of the device moves parallel to the sheet of paper. Under it there is a ribbon with a coloring pigment. The print head hits the ink ribbon with its needles, and the desired image or text is formed on the surface of the sheet of paper. As a rule, to work with such a device, not ordinary paper sheets are used, but special rolls. The quality of the result will depend on the number of needles located on the head of the product.
2. Jet. Such models appeared after the matrix ones. They also function due to the print head and needles. The head moves along the sheet of paper and forms the required image. The main difference from other devices is the presence of a matrix, which is located on the head and contains a coloring pigment. Due to the fact that ink is subject to rapid drying, manufacturers install a special system that cleans the print head of any remaining ink pigment. Such models work very slowly. But despite this, they are still used today.
3. Laser. This is a more modern model. Laser printers differ significantly from their predecessors. To work here, a toner is used, not a coloring pigment. Instead of a print head, a photodrum is used. First, the text or image is stored in the device's memory. After which the information is transferred using a laser to the photodrum, which is covered with a photosensitive layer and is a semiconductor. Its resistance decreases when illuminated.The laser sends light to the places from which the image is to be transferred to paper. Then the toner hits these zones - its particles are endowed with a negative charge. The incoming sheet of paper receives a positive charge and, in contact with the photodrum, picks up negative particles along with the toner. A heating module is used to fix the toner.

Pros and cons of inkjet printers

Inkjet models are popular printing devices. They are easy to set up and operate, and are also affordable.

The advantages include:

• low cost;
• the ability to print color images and photographs - they mix coloring pigments much better than laser models;
• printing on different surfaces, including glossy ones and even on some types of fabrics;
• no need to warm up before starting work;
• the ability to refill cartridges - this helps to significantly reduce costs;
• ease of use, small size and weight.

The disadvantages are:

• ink is expensive;
• the coloring pigment is water-based, so the finished image or text is vulnerable to moisture;
• low speed;
• Frequent cleaning of the print head is required;
• If you do not use the product for a long time, the pigment will dry out.

ATTENTION! The operating speed depends on the number of nozzles and the required print quality.

Advantages and disadvantages of laser printers

This option has gained popularity among users for its printing speed and low cost of consumables.

The advantages include:

• high quality of finished images and text;
• high speed;
• low cost of consumables.

The disadvantages are:

1. High price.The price of devices that perform color printing is especially high.
2. The quality of the resulting texts and images is lower than that of inkjet models. However, there are models that are not inferior in this characteristic. Therefore, before purchasing, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the necessary information in the device passport or on the forums.
3. Inability to refill the cartridge yourself. To do this, you need to contact a service workshop.

How to choose a printer for your home or office

When choosing the most suitable product option, you should pay attention to the following:

1. Volume. You need to roughly estimate the amount that the printer will print within a month. If you do this incorrectly, the device will quickly fail.
2. The need for color printing. The color option is necessary when you often need to print various posters, presentations or photographs. If you don’t plan to do this, then the best option is a black and white printer.
3. Speed. Laser devices are faster than inkjet devices.
4. Economical. Despite the fact that consumables for a laser device are inexpensive, the product itself consumes a large amount of electricity.

Thus, for home use, the best option is to purchase an inexpensive, compact and economical printer. These are laser devices. Despite the fact that the cost of inkjet ones is lower, their further maintenance is very expensive.

When choosing the most suitable device, you need to decide what it will be used for, correctly evaluate all the pros and cons of specific models, as well as the cost of consumables. The printer must work properly and not create problems during operation.