Difference between typewriter and computer - wiki answers

• A computer on its own cannot print: it requires an external device to print
• A computer printer is useless without a computer to drive it, but a typewriter is self-contained
• While modern typewriters are electric, the majority of typewriters for decades were manual - no electricity required. A computer cannot function with electricity of some description (including batteries)
• A typewriter creates the letters by pressing ink through a ribbon
• The computer is well known, whereas a typewriter has never been seen by some of the younger generation
• Some forms of modern typewriter can "erase" mistakes: no printer has this function because it can all be controlled through the computer

Expanded answer

All of the above. A typewriter is completely autonomous in that anyone can use it without having to know anything about menus and settings and preferences, and without needing any kind of experience or knowledge of specific programs. It is a machine in the true sense of the word... a MECHANICAL device requiring certain effort or imput on the part of the operator, in order to perform its function.

A computer on the other hand is NOT mechanical, it is electronic; a series of electrical impulses transmitted through various microchips and P.S.Bs replaces the typeface-to-key-linkages of the typewriter. A "false" visual interpretation (the screen) replaces the more traditional direct-to-paper approach, and for this reason makes pre-print editing possible without the production of one or more draft copies.

A computer is also capable of making calculations and some decisions WITHOUT the direct imput or effort of the operator, in fact, some computers do not require operators at all, only maintenance personel. (they have not learned to fix themselves yet, thankfully!) No matter how advanced a typewriter is, it can never be capable of making any kind of calculation other than those required to produce a visual representation of letters on an LCD display (if you have a REALLY fancy electric one!)

If you could connect a computer keyboard directly to a printer you would have an electric typewriter. This became the rich-mans typewriter, or poor-mans computer some years ago, but is now primarily used in secretarial work and notation / short hand.

Others:

A typewriter cannot be programmed to act in a certain fashion and without specific input from the operator

You cannot play games on a typewriter

You cannot access the internet or send email with a typewriter, neither can it be connected to a telephone line (A TELEX machine, however can be)

A typewriter cannot form its own logical deductions based on input from the operator, and requires every decision to be made for it.

A typewriter cannot correct obvious errors without input from the operator. It does not recognise when an error has been made and presumes every action is deliberate.
A typewriter is not multi-functional as a computer. Typewriters are only used to type up things neatly onto a sheet of paper, but a computer can be used for surfing the web, learning, communicating and entertainment.
A typewriter is not multi-functional as a computer. Typewriters are only used to type up things neatly onto a sheet of paper, but a computer can be used for surfing the web, learning, communicating and entertainment.

Computer is well known, whereas typewriter has never been seen by some of the younger generation.