What is the difference between a local printer and a network printer?

What is the difference between a local printer and a network printer?

• A. A local printer connects directly to a single computer via USB; a network printer is shared over a network via Ethernet or Wi‑Fi.
• B. A local printer is wireless only, while a network printer uses USB.
• C. A local printer prints faster than network printers for large jobs.
• D. A local printer is cloud-based.

Answer: (A)

Printers are distinguished by how they connect and share access. A local printer attaches directly to one computer, typically through USB, so that computer sends the print job straight to that printer. A network printer has its own network connection (Ethernet or Wi‑Fi) and sits on the network, allowing multiple devices to send print jobs to it over the network, usually with its own IP address. That’s why the stated difference is correct: a local printer connects to a single computer via USB, while a network printer is shared over the network using Ethernet or Wi‑Fi. The other options don’t fit because a local printer isn’t restricted to wireless only and isn’t defined by using USB exclusively, network printers aren’t limited to wired connections only, and being cloud-based isn’t what separates local from network printers.

Printers are distinguished by how they connect and share access. A local printer attaches directly to one computer, typically through USB, so that computer sends the print job straight to that printer. A network printer has its own network connection (Ethernet or Wi‑Fi) and sits on the network, allowing multiple devices to send print jobs to it over the network, usually with its own IP address.

That’s why the stated difference is correct: a local printer connects to a single computer via USB, while a network printer is shared over the network using Ethernet or Wi‑Fi. The other options don’t fit because a local printer isn’t restricted to wireless only and isn’t defined by using USB exclusively, network printers aren’t limited to wired connections only, and being cloud-based isn’t what separates local from network printers.