Computer Printer Technology

The computer printing technology used today is far different from the first time it used at the beginning of the computer era. Many older technologies are now obsolete, although, at one time, they widely used. Other newer print technologies have replaced them, and the way forward is forever changed because new computer printing technologies have emerged.

Obsolete Printing Technology

As time has passed and the power of modern PC computing has changed, there have been significant advances in the basic printing system used by computers. The print technology listed below is outdated, but at one time, played a vital role in the computer printing industry.

Typewriter

In the early part of the evolution of computer printing, several computer printers were only computer-controlled versions of current electric typewriter technology. This computer printer can “type” faster than humans with an average speed of 15 characters per second.

Teletypewriter

One of the most popular computer printers of its time, this type of printer could easily be connected to all non-IBM computers. Teleprinters are a little slower than typewriters and average around ten characters per second.

Dot-matrix

The original dot-matrix printer was a trendy computer printer during the 1980s. They can produce not only characters but also images even though the quality is lower. There are two types of dot-matrix computers available today, namely:

Ballistic wire printers
Printer stored energy

Do you know? Some dot matrix printers can be upgraded to print in color. This made them very popular for use at home and in the office during the 80s.

Modern printing technology

Several modern printing technologies are used today in home and office printers. Although the list below doesn’t include everything, it consists of the most essential and well-known advanced computer printing technology:

Toner

Toner printers include laser printers and LED printers. Like digital printers, they use the xerographic printing process.

Liquid inkjet

Liquid inkjet printers print by moving droplets of various sizes to the printing surface (paper). This is the most common of all types of modern home and office printers.

Solid ink

Reliable ink printers are also called phase-change printers and are a type of thermal transfer printer. These types of printers more commonly used in office and education environments. They are very good at printing on transparencies and non-porous printing surfaces.