MEDIUM AND HIGH-SPEED PRINTERS.

High performance printers, traditionally aimed at minicomputer and mainframe systems, are now also finding use in sophisticated microcomputers. A wide range of products is presented which are using some exotic technologies. They are divided into character-at-a-time and line-at-time units, or into impact and nonimpact categories. The nonimpact printers are subdivided into electrosensitive, thermographic, ink jet and a miscellaneous grouping that includes such cutting technologies as laser, ion deposition and magnetic imaging. The impact printers (by far the largest in terms of current usage) include various types of electromechanical devices. Many types of printers are reviewed and several dozen manufacturers listed.