What Are The Hard Copy Output Devices With Examples In Points

In this post, we are going to discuss what are hard copy output devices with definitions, examples, types, applications, and Hard Copy VS Soft Copy.

In computer terms or computer language, two types of copies or Output can be obtained using a computer system

Soft Copy and Hard Copy.

While using a computer, you may have come up with the terms we will discuss briefly.

Many users, while accessing information, get confused with the computer terms in this article.

we are going to clear all of your doubts and queries related to the hard copies and soft copies concept.

The printed copy of computer output is called Hard Copy Output.

Let us go through it.

Table of Contents

What is Hard Copy and Define Hardcopy?

The hard copy can define as the Output received on the paper.

They have printed documents in the form of text files, drawings, diagrams, pictures, drawing illustrations, construction maps, architectural plans, engineering drawings, business charts, etc.

They can be any printable file whose printout can be obtained through printers and these printers are also called “Hard Copy Output Devices”.

For example, You have created a resume for a job interview using MS Word or any software of your choice.

Now the company to whom you are applying needs a hard copy of the resume you just created; in that case, you will have to produce a printout using the printer.

In simple words, a hard copy is nothing but a printout produced which is physically touched and seen.

The hard copies are difficult to edit, and therefore before printing, you must recheck. On the other hand, the resume you created using MS-word is saved on your computer’s hard disk.

If a company asks for a soft copy of your CV or resume, you can mail them or even transfer or share via Google drive or copy the file using a pen drive.

This sort of document is called a “Soft Copy”, which can also be touched and edited or deleted at any given time.

The majority of graphic designers create designs and graphics for their customers.

These designs are printed on paper and shared with clients for their approval. The quality printouts display the exact design and color combination.

What is Hard Copy Output Devices With Examples?

As discussed earlier, a hard copy is nothing but a physical entity that can be used as a means of communication obtained on paper or other readable media in human-readable form.

Printers
Plotters

Printers and plotters are popular examples of hard-copy output devices.

1. Printers

The printer can be defined as the hardware that produces your hard-copy documents outputs is called a printer or plotter.

The printers are the most used and typical example of output devices of the computer system.

They are electronic devices that are capable of producing outputs on paper and other media like T-shirts.

These Outputs produced by printers can be physically touched.

There are mainly two types of printers.

Impact Printers
Non-Impact Printers

2. Impact Printers

The prime examples of impact printers are dot matrix and daisy wheels. These impact printers are relatively slower and less expensive when compared to impact printers.

The speed of impact printers is calculated or measured in CPS {Character Per Second}.

3. Non-Impact Printers

Laser and Inkjet printers are common examples of non-impact printers. These printers are relatively faster than impact printers; also, they are more expensive.

Their quality of printing is superior. The speed of the non-impact printer is measured in PPM {Pages Per Minute}.

List 3 Examples of Hard Copy Devices.

The 3 Examples of Hard Copy Devices are

Printer
Plotter
Microfiche

What is Soft Copy and Define Softcopy

Multiple files are stored in computers, laptops, tablets, or even mobile phones that can be later modified, edited, updated, or deleted.

These files stored in the computer system can be sent or transferred via email or Google drives. These are called “Soft Copy”.

These files can be even copied to pen drives or any other storage medium for later usage. The files can be shared using mobile phones.

Soft copy cannot be touched. It is not a physical entity but a digital medium that helps in transferring information.

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Examples of Softcopy Devices

There are several examples of softcopy devices that I am going to mention below.

Monitor or VDU {Visual Display Unit}.
Joystick.
Scanner.
Smart Phones.
LED Monitors.
LCD Monitors.

Hard Copy and Soft Copy Output Devices

Hard Copy

Printers
Plotters
Microfiche

Soft Copy

Monitors
Scanners
Smart Phones

HARDCOPY VS SOFTCOPY?

HARDCOPY	SOFTCOPY
Hard Copy can be obtained using printers and plotters.	Softcopy is the files that are stored in a computer, laptop, smartphone, etc.
Hard copies are text, images, documents, maps, drawings, architectural designs, etc.	Softcopy is PDF files, presentation files, pictures, word files, excel files, and scanned pages.
Hard Copy can be touched and felt.	They cannot be touched as they are in the digital medium.
Hard copies are hard to edit.	Soft copy can be easily edited using editing software.
Hard copies are expensive.	They are relatively less expensive than hard copies.

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