**1. Basic function**
- **What it does**: Converts digital documents, photos, and graphics into physical copies on paper, labels, or other materials
- **Core parts**: Paper tray, ink/toner cartridges, print head, and a connection port/WiFi
**2. By type**
- **Inkjet**: Sprays liquid ink. Great for photos, color documents, and home use. Cheaper upfront but ink costs more. Faster, sharper text, cheaper per page. Best for offices/schools.
- **All-in-one/Multifunction**: Prints + scans + copies + sometimes faxes. Most common for home and small offices
**3. Key specs people mention**
- **Speed**: Pages per minute, ppm
- **Quality**: DPI - dots per inch. Higher = sharper
- **Color**: Monocrom or color
- **Connectivity**: USB, WiFi, Bluetooth, mobile printing
- **Paper size**: Usually A4, but some do A3, photo sizes