Printer performance metrics: LaserJet printers are typically rated in pages per minute (ppm). What unit is commonly used to specify the print speed of dot-matrix printers?

Introduction / Context:
Different printer technologies emphasize different performance characteristics. Laser printers handle pages as raster images (ppm), whereas impact printers like dot-matrix output streams of characters, so their speed is quantified differently.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Dot-matrix printers are impact devices printing via pins on a moving head.
• Common use cases: multipart forms, continuous stationery.
• Throughput depends on draft vs NLQ modes, width, and character set.

Concept / Approach:

Impact printer performance is traditionally rated in characters per second (cps). This reflects how many monospaced characters the device can print in a second in a specified mode (e.g., 10 cpi draft).

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Specifications in manuals list 200–500 cps in draft modes for common models, sometimes alongside lpm for line printers, but dot-matrix desktop units emphasize cps.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• lines per inch / characters per inch: These describe print density, not speed.
• lines per sheet: Not a standard specification.
• None of the above: Incorrect because cps is correct.

Common Pitfalls:

Confusing cps with cpm (copies per minute for copiers) or with ppm for page printers; mixing density (cpi, lpi) with throughput ratings.

Final Answer:

characters per second