Chapter 2: Printers and Storage Devices Spotlight on Introduction to Computers Chapter 2 1

 Learn about dot-matrix printers  Learn about ink-jet printers  Learn about laser printers  Learn about thermal printers  Track the evolution of storage devices  Describe the different storage devices  Compare the amount of storage of various devices Spotlight on Introduction to Computers Chapter 2 2

 CD-R  CD-Rewritable Drive  CD-Rom Drive  CD-RW  CMYK  Compact disc (CD)  Digital video disc (DVD)  Dot-matrix printer  Flash drive  Floppy disk  Ink-jet printer  Laser printer  Legal-size printer Spotlight on Introduction to Computers Chapter 2 3

 Letter-size paper  Memory card  Perforation  Printer  Ream  Thermal paper  Thermal printer  Toner  Tractor feed  Zip disk

 A printer is a piece of equipment that transfers information onto a piece of paper or other material.  A Dot-matrix printer is a printer that uses tiny pins to strike an ink ribbon and paper. All images are created from a series of tiny dots.  Perforation is a series of tiny holes that allow paper to be torn apart in a straight line.  Tractor feed is the process by which gears feed paper out of a dot-matrix printer. Printers Spotlight on Introduction to Computers Chapter 2 5

 The ink-jet printer is a printer that prints by spraying ink onto the paper.  CMYK are the colors of ink used with an ink-jet printer (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black). The Ink-Jet Printer Spotlight on Introduction to Computers Chapter 2 6

 A laser printer is a printer that uses an electrical charge to heat a powdered ink to create images on the paper.  Toner is powdered ink used in laser printers. The Laser Printer Spotlight on Introduction to Computers Chapter 2 7

 A thermal printer is a printer that does not use ink, toner, or ribbon.  This type of printer is often used for receipts.  Thermal paper is a special coated paper that is used in thermal printers.  Images are burned onto the paper in a series of small dots. The Thermal Printer Spotlight on Introduction to Computers Chapter 2 8

 A ream is a pack of 500 sheets of paper.  Letter-size paper is the most common size of paper, which measures 8.5” wide x 11” long.  Legal size paper is the second most common size of paper, which measures 8.5” wide x 14” long. Recycling: It’s Not Only for Paper Spotlight on Introduction to Computers Chapter 2 9

 A floppy disk is a type of removable storage that is a plastic square sleeve containing a thin, flexible plastic disk.  The first floppy disk was 8 inches in diameter.  The next floppy disk was 5.25 inches in diameter, and encased in a thin, plastic case. The disk was stored in a paper envelope.  The 3.5-inch disk was not only sturdier than the original floppy disks but could also store more information. Various Forms of the Floppy Disk Spotlight on Introduction to Computers Chapter 2 10

The Zip Disk  The zip disk is a type of removable storage that looked like a 3.5-inch floppy disk but could save much more data.  The disadvantage of the zip disk was that users needed a different disk drive because the zip disk was a tiny bit thicker than the 3.5-inch floppy disk. Spotlight on Introduction to Computers Chapter 2 11

The Compact Disc  The compact disc (CD) is a type of removable storage that is sturdier than the floppy disks and can hold approximately 700 MB.  The CD-rewritable drive is a disk drive that allows your computer to save to a CD. This type of disk drive is also called a CD burner.  A CD-Rom drive is a disk drive that only plays CDs.  CD-R is early CDs that only has the capability to save. You could not delete or change the information on these CDs.  The CD-RW is CDs that has the capability to erase information and rewrite to them many, many times. Spotlight on Introduction to Computers Chapter 2 12

The Digital Video Disc (DVD)  The digital video disc (DVD) is a type of removable storage that looks like a CD but can hold 4.7 GB or 120 minutes of digital video.  Newer DVDs have the capability to write a dual layer of information, doubling the storage capacity.  In order to play a DVD, you must have a DVD drive on your computer. Spotlight on Introduction to Computers Chapter 2 13

The Memory Card  A memory card is a very small type of removable storage disk, often used in digital cameras.  It can also be called a memory stick, compact flash card, or an SD Card.  The memory card requires either a special disk drive in your processor or an external card reader. Spotlight on Introduction to Computers Chapter 2 14

The Flash Drive  A flash drive is a type of removable storage that plugs directly into the USB port of your computer.  It can also be called a jump drive.  The one thing that you need to do when you are done saving the flash drive is to tell the computer that you are done with it before you unplug it. Spotlight on Introduction to Computers Chapter 2 15

 Dot-matrix printers use a series of tiny pins to make imprints on the paper.  Ink-jet printers are high-quality, low-cost printers, found in many homes.  Ink-jet printers can print in full-color.  Laser printers use powder called toner to print on the page.  Thermal printers are often used when printing receipts. Spotlight on Introduction to Computers Chapter 2 16

 The first floppy disk was 8 inches in diameter.  Floppy disks are sensitive to magnets.  The CD-RW can be completely erased.  Memory cards come in a variety of sizes.  Flash drives use the USB port. Spotlight on Introduction to Computers Chapter 2 17