What are the advantages and disadvantages of dot-matrix printers?

Answer 1

The advantages are: * low purchase cost. * can handle multipart forms. * cheap to operate, just new ribbons. * rugged and low repair cost. The disadvantages are: * noisy. * low resolution. You can see the dots making up each character. * Not all can do colour. * Colour looks faded and streaky.

Answer 2

The only advantage of using a dot-matrix printer is when using multi-page listing paper. Such paper needs the pins of a dot-matrix to actually strike through to make the print reach all pages. Otherwise, dot-matrix printers are noisy and slow.

Answer 3

Dot matrix impact printers can print on multi-part forms, while laser printers cannot. Dot matrix printers have generally been less expensive than laser printers, although that price differential is fading quickly.

Answer 4

Laser printers are faster, quieter, and do not use tractor-fed paper. On the other hand, it can be easier to clear a paper jam in a dot matrix printer.