What are Hard Copy Devices in Computer

Hard Copy Devices in Computer

A hard copy device is a device that produces the output in a physical, and tangible copy of digital or electronic information. In other words, a hard copy device generates a printed version of that which will be physically stored or handled.

There are different types of hard copy devices and some common types are:

1. Printer

• Inkjet Printers: Inkjet printers produce high-quality prints using liquid ink. These are suitable for text and photo printing.

• Laser Printers: Laser Printer uses a laser beam to create prints. Laser printers are often faster and more cost-effective for high-volume printing tasks.

• Dot Matrix Printers: Dot Matrix Printers use a fixed number of pins or wires to print the output. Dot Matrix Printers are a type of impact printer.

2. Plotters

A plotter is a device which is used to produce high-quality, vector-based graphical output. Normal printers, typically rasterize images into dots, and plotters use pens, pencils, or other writing tools to draw lines directly onto paper for high-quality output. Plotters are widely used in technical drawing, engineering design, architectural drafting, and other areas requiring accuracy and precision.

3. Scanners

Scanners are typically used to capture physical documents, but some scanners may also print scanned images onto paper or other media. These printers are commonly referred to as multifunction or all-in-one printers.

4. Copiers

Copiers produce copies of printed or handwritten documents. They use a combination of scanning and printing technologies to reproduce the original document on paper or another medium.

5. 3D Printers

Unlike traditional printing devices, that produce flat, two-dimensional output, 3D printers produce three-dimensional items by depositing layers of material based on a computer model. They are used in a variety of applications, including developing prototypes, production, and healthcare.