Printer Drivers
Most of the first computer systems generated "hardcopy" output by default. As the system generated results, they were printed on a paper terminal or impact printer similar to a typewriter. This was very convenient, but it also produced reams of useless output (commands were also typed on the same device) and was extremely noisy. The introduction of video displays largely solved this problem, since the process of generating permanent output was separated from command line processing. If a user wanted a hard copy of a particular piece of output, they simply sent it to a printer. Otherwise, it scrolled off the screen and was lost.
Printers come in all shapes and sizes. Early PC printers were usually dot matrix or impact devices that weren't very different from "teletype" printers used on mainframes and early minicomputers. They used serial or parallel interfaces and were often extremely large and bulky. Laser and inkjet devices were extremely expensive, and generally unavailable to the typical home user. Today, a wide range of inexpensive devices is available to satisfy the needs of home and business users. Most modern printers use Universal Serial Bus (USB) or, in higher end models, Ethernet network connections rather than standard serial or parallel ports, and are extremely fast. Inkjet Printers - These devices literally blow ink through a series of tiny holes in the print head, thereby "painting" the output onto a piece of paper. Most inkjet printers today can produce both color and black & white. Some are designed solely for text and graphics, while others offer fine enough resolution to produce excellent photos. Laser Printers - Once these printers were extremely expensive and slow, but today any home user can own a high quality laser printer. These devices work much like photocopiers, using static electricity on a drum to lay particles of toner onto a piece of paper. The laser then fuses the toner to the paper, producing a relatively robust image. Unlike inkjet output, laser printed material is unlikely to bleed or run if it gets damp. Many companies produce printers. Some large producers include Hewlett-Packard, Xerox, Lexmark, and Epson. Prices range from $50 to several thousand dollars, depending on capacity, resolution, and features. » Download Printer Drivers |
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