Atari 400 User Manual page 181

types of dot-matrix printers can also print
graphics characters
to
produce pictures, when
used with the right type of software programs.
You could use a dot-matrix printer to print pic-
tures or listings of programs you create.
When you will be sending letters, reports, or
other documents to other people, such as for
business purposes, a letter-quality printer is most
appropriate. Letter-quality printers produce fully
formed characters, such as those produced by a
typewriter. If you were planning to use your
computer to send out resumes, for example, you
would want
to
use this type of printer for a more
professional appearance.
In general, dot-matrix printers are faster and
much cheaper than letter-quality printers, and
are suitable for many purposes. However, if you
plan to use your printer for business-related pur-
poses, you will probably prefer a letter-quality
printer.
There are many printer models marketed under
the Atari name. The first Atari printers were
the Models 820, 822, and 825-all of which
have been discontinued, but may still be
available in some stores. The Model 822 is
known as a thermal printer. It uses heat -sensitive
paper and burns the images of the characters on
the surface of the paper. The print quality of the
822 is not even as good as that of a dot-matrix
printer. The 820 and 825 models are both
do~­
matrix printers.
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