Printer Options

High-end printers are often designed to use a wide variety of options. These might include

If the printer doesn't include a network adapter option, you might use a 10/100 Ethernet or Wi-Fi print server to connect it to the network. Check with the printer vendor to determine if the printer can be used without a PC; many low-cost printers require the PC's processing power and operating system to help create the page.

• Hard disk ” Printers that have PostScript interpreters onboard can use a hard disk to store PostScript commands for faster printing.

• Network adapters (NICs ) ” Most printers designed for network use have standard or optional network adapters. The most common type of network adapter used by printers is a 10/100 Ethernet adapter, but some recent printers now support Wi-Fi Wireless Ethernet adapters.

• Optional paper trays and feeders ” Although almost all laser printers have a flip-down feed tray that can be used for running specialized media types such as envelopes, labels, or letterhead, printers designed for workgroup or enterprise use often feature options to add paper feeders that can hold a large quantity of specialized media. Because paper size and type settings in Windows printer drivers can be configured to pull media from a particular tray as needed, a single printer can be equipped with letterhead, plain paper, and envelopes, for example, to enable it to print all the materials needed for a mailing without changing media.

• Duplex printing ” Some mid-range and high-end printers feature built-in duplex printing, which enables the printer to print on both sides of a sheet of paper automatically. Some printers offer a duplex feeder option that can be added at a later date.

• Document stacking and finishing options ” Some high-end printers offer optional document finishing options such as stackers (places the pages for each document in a separate tray) and staplers ( staples the document together). These and similar options enable the printer to produce a finished document for the user .

Some network copiers with these features can also be used as printers.

Multifunction Devices

Many offices now depend upon multifunction devices that combine printer, scanner, copier , and fax capabilities in a single unit. Low-end units might use a sheet-fed scanner for faxing and copying, but flatbed scanning and copying features have become almost universal on the latest models.

Some multifunction devices depend upon the computer to perform most functions; others can be used as copiers or fax machines even when the computer is turned off. Both laser and inkjet printing mechanisms are used in these devices.