The output on the VDU cannot be stored for later reference. For a permanent output, you would require a printer that is also a common output device. Using the printer, you can obtain output on paper. Printers are capable of printing at very high speeds. The printers commonly used with the PC are the dot-matrix printer, the ink jet printer and the laser printer.
Dot matrix Printer | Ink-jet Printer | Laser Printer |
| Prints characters formed of dots | Prints fully formed characters | Prints fully formed characters |
| Speed: 200-540 characters per second | Speed: 4-8 pages per minute | Speed: 4-20 pages per minute |
| Accepts up to 132-column stationary | Accepts up to 80-column stationary | Accepts up to 80-column stationary |
| Inexpensive | Moderately priced | Expensive |
Comparison between Printers