Printers have come a long way from the noisy daisy-wheel and dot-matrix printers of the 1980s. Today you can print any document with crisp, realistic colors and sharp text in essentially any font you can imagine. Whether you want to print photos, family projects, or documents on the go, there is a specially designed printer for the job. Here's a brief introduction to the different types of printers available and a guide to getting your printer up and running.
Types of printers
Inkjet
The most common type of printer found in homes today is the inkjet printer. This printer works by spraying ionized ink onto the paper with magnetized plates directing the ink to the desired shape. Inkjet printers are capable of producing high quality text and images in black and white or color, approaching the quality that is produced by more costly laser printers. Many inkjet printers today are capable of printing photo-quality images. Bear in mind that the special ink used by inkjet printers is apt to smudge on common copier paper, so remember to buy paper specifically manufactured for inkjet printers.
Laser
Laser printers provide the highest quality text and images for personal computers today. Like standard copy machines, they operate by using a laser beam to produce an electrically charged image on a drum, which is then rolled through a reservoir of toner. The toner is picked up by the electrically charged portions of the drum, and transferred to the paper through a combination of heat and pressure. While full-color laser printers are available, they tend to be much more expensive than black and white versions and require a great deal of printer memory to produce high-resolution images. Also, be warned that many specialty papers, such as iron-on transfers, are not suitable for laser printers as the heat used in the transfer process could damage the paper and gum up your printer.
Portable and wireless
A portable printer is the perfect companion for your notebook. It's a compact mobile inkjet printer that provides flexibility and dependability anywhere you go. Portable printers are compact enough to fit in a briefcase. They weigh very little and run on battery power.
Infrared-compatible (wireless) printers, available in both inkjet and laserjet models, allow you to print from your handheld device, laptop computer or digital camera. The wireless short-range radio technology that allows this to happen is called Bluetooth. No more hassles with multiple cables - just point and print.
All-in-one
The final type of printer to be mentioned here is the multifunction or all-in-one printer. Many home office users prefer the space-saving convenience of an all-in-one device which combines the functions of printer, scanner, copier and fax into one machine. All-in-one printers can be either inkjet or laser based.
Installing your printer
The steps involved in getting your printer up and running aren't complicated but you should be sure to read the manual before you start because the manufacturer may have specific instructions for your particular model. This is especially true if you are installing an all-in-one device since the steps for connecting the fax machine to your phone line are not covered here.
- Take everything out of the box and be sure you have everything you will need. Besides the printer itself, you will need the ink or toner cartridge, the installation disk, a printer interface cable, and paper. Most manufacturers don't include cables along with the printer, but you can easily find standard parallel printer cables at most computer supply stores.
- Remove all the packaging material that might still be on the printer. There might be restraints within the printer itself--used to keep non-stationary parts from moving around during shipping--that you will need to remove. Your manual should be able to guide you in their removal.
- Make sure your computer is turned off. Attach the printer cable to both the printer and the computer and lock or screw in place.
- Attach the printer power cable to the printer, and then plug it in. Do not yet turn it on.
- If you are installing a laser printer, you will now need to install the toner cartridge. Gently rock the cartridge before installing to loosen any caked toner and spread it evenly through the cartridge. A protective plastic strip keeps the toner in place during shipping. Avoid juggling the cartridge after removing this strip as spilled toner is difficult to clean up. Remove the strip according to the package instructions and install the toner cartridge into the laser printer as directed by the manual.
- If you are installing an inkjet printer, you will probably need to power-up your printer first, allowing the cartridge carrier to move out from its "home" position under one of the sides. A plastic strip on the outside of the cartridge protects the ink nozzle and the copper electronic contacts during shipping. Remove the strip, raise the cover of the printer, and then follow manufacturer instructions for installing the cartridge (or cartridges, in the case of color inkjets printers). Close the cover and turn the printer off.
- If your printer has a removable tray, install it at this point. Then add paper to the tray or built-in hopper. Be careful not to overfill the tray or it will jam. Turn on the printer, your monitor, and your PC.
- When your computer starts up, Windows should detect the new device you have connected and ask if you want to locate the drivers for it. A driver is a program that allows your computer to communicate properly with your printer and was probably included on a disk included with your printer. If Windows does not recognize the printer, and offers to install the proper drivers, you may need to run a specific installation program provided by the manufacturer in order for it to work properly. Installation instructions vary greatly between manufacturers and even between models, so read the installation instructions included with your manual to determine how to proceed.
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