Apple IIe - Manual (Page 43)

Page 43 of 74 IIe
Printed: Tuesday, March 4, 2003 10:40:15 AM
control everything from sprinkler systems to coffee makers.
Monitor
There are two general types of monitors: monochrome monitors and color monitors. Monochrome
monitors come in three varieties: black and white, black and green, and black and amber. Some
studies show that an amber display is easier on the eyes; some studies show that a green
display is easier to read; some people simply prefer black and white because it more closely
resembles a typewritten page.
The best choice is the one that looks best to you.
Color monitors cost more than monochrome monitors, but they're ideal for computer graphics and
for displaying business charts and graphs.
Unfortunately, some color monitors aren't very good
at displaying text. If you need a color monitor that can double as a text display, ask your
Apple dealer about RGB color monitors. RGB monitors have better resolution (a sharper picture)
than other types of color monitor.
Using Your Television as a Display Device
It is possible to use a standard television set (with an RF modulator) as a display device for
the Apple IIe, but if you plan to use your computer for word processing, financial planning, or
other business applications, make sure the program you get is designed for a 40-column display.
Some business applications require an 80-column display.
Televisions can't display 80 characters per line clearly, the way monitors can. They can
display only 40 characters per line. While 40 characters per line is fine for some
applications (games and educational programs), many find it too narrow for business letters or
electronic spreadsheets.
Printer
A printer creates a paper copy of information you create with your computer. You can use a
computer without a printer, but it's not convenient or practical, for example, to mail your
letters on disks. For some people, a printer is a must.
Printers come in a variety of prices and vary accordingly in print speed, quality, and
loudness.
The most common types of printer are thermal transfer, dot matrix, and daisy wheel.
Thermal Printers
Thermal printers essentially burn characters onto paper. They are inexpensive and very quiet.
The print quality varies dramatically among different kinds of thermal printers. Some are good
enough for correspondence; others are suitable only for drafts and inter-office memos. Most
thermal printers require either specially treated paper or specially treated ribbon. Check the
prices of these accessories before deciding on what kind of printer to get.
Dot Matrix Printers
Dot matrix printers form characters with patterns of dots. They're fast, economical, ideal for
graphics, and fine for drafts, memos, and personal letters. Because of the way they form
characters, dot matrix printers can produce a wide variety of type sizes and typefaces
(boldface, italic, and so on) so you can create headlines and other special effects.
The only drawback to dot matrix printers is that with some dot matrix printers you can see the
pattern of dots that make up each character.
This can give your documents a look that people
associate with computer printouts. If you need a printer that can produce professional,
letter-quality documents, you may need a daisy wheel printer. But check the quality of the dot
matrix printer before you decide you may not be able to tell the difference between text