Understanding Printer Memory

Like computers, printers can also use memory. The more memory your printer has, the larger the files it can manage. This doesn't mean that printers with a small amount of memory can't print large files, but the connection between the application and the printer remains open until the entire file is sent to the printer. This process is called spooling to the printer.

Printers with more memory can spool more and larger print jobs. If you work in a home office and don't mind waiting for your print job to complete, a low amount of printer memory may be fine, but in an office environment when multiple print jobs are spooled to the printer at a time, it is important to have enough printer memory so the employees don't spend all day waiting for their print jobs to complete.

Note 

Printer memory cannot be upgraded on many inexpensive printers, such as inkjets; however, upgradeable memory is common in laser printers.

The amount of memory that a printer can hold is different for each printer; check with your printer specifications to find out the memory capacity of your printer. If there is room to upgrade your printer's memory, you need to open up the printer and locate the memory slots. The more memory the printer has, the larger the print jobs it can handle.

CROSS-REF 

Installing printer memory works the same way as installing computer memory. See Chapter 7 for information on how to install memory.