COMPUTER HARDWARE CLASSIFICATION

COMPUTER HARDWARE CLASSIFICATION. HARDCOPY OUTPUT DEVICES. Hardcopy output devices are computer hardware devices that produce a tangible result/output. Example of an hardcopy output device is a printer. Printer; is electromechanical output device which is used to accept data from computers and make hard copies/ prints of data on physical means, such as texts and graphics on a paper..

Classification of Printers. Printers can be classified into two namely; 1. impact printers 2. Non impact printers Impact printers; Are printers that typically use a specific type of hammer with which the print heads are attached . Examples of impact printers Dot matrix printers Daisywheel printers.

Dot matrix printers These printers have a matrix of pins on their print heads to create characters or graphics. Daisy wheel printers. These printers they have a wheel/disc that includes print heads and the ends of these print heads have molded print character. NB: although impact printers are cheaper to run and prints for long periods without breaking, they produce low quality printouts..

Non-impact printers. Non-impact are faster and quieter than the impact printers . They print using ink, thermal or laser mechanisms. Common types of non-impact printers Inkjet printer Thermal printers Laser printers 3D and photo printers.

Inkjet printers. Inkjet printers; they make prints by spraying a pattern of ink droplets on the paper with the help of a nozzle or jet. They store ink in catridges . They use four primary colors i.e. Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black (CMYK); thus prints are produced by mixing these four colors..

Laser printers. Laser printers; Use a beam of concentrated light (laser beam) to fuse the toner on a piece of paper. When the laser beam hits a rotating drum, it ionizes regions which attract ink toner which then is fused onto the paper. Laser printers produce high quality print outs faster than inkjet printers. Nevertheless they are more expensive to purchase..

Thermal printers. Thermal printers They use a specific heat sensitive paper and they produce prints by pushing electrically heated pins onto the paper. The paper used in these printers has a special heat sensitive coating. It starts getting darker as it gets hot. Therefore the hot pins are pushed onto paper, the area concerned become darker..

3D and photo printers. 3D and photo printers Are used to produce physical objects by layering materials such as metal alloys, polymers, or plastics. Photo printers are used for producing high quality printout from sources such as memory cards, optical disks and digital cameras..

Plotters. • Plotters are used to print graphical output on paper ; Used for printing hardcopy outputs like maps, architectural drawings and billboards. • It interprets computer commands and makes line drawings on paper using multicolored automated pens. It is capable of producing graphs, drawings, charts, maps.

Factors to consider when purchasing a printer. Print quality; dot matrix printers are good for bulk printing of draft documents, laser is good for printing official documents while thermal printers are good for point of sale counter receipts. Initial cost; although the prices of printers have come down, laser and thermal printers are still expensive compared to inkjet printers. Running cost; the cost of maintaining an inkjet printer may be higher than that of maintaining laser printers. Speed ; the speed of a printer is measured in pages per minute; the higher the number of pages per minute the, the more expensive the more expensive the printer. Colour printing ; most printers support black and color printing ; however, color printers, especially lasers are relatively expensive..