Which of the following is an example of an output device?

An output device is a piece of hardware that receives data from a computer and translates that data into a form that can be understood by the user. The printer is a prime example of this because it takes digital information produced by a computer and converts it into a physical form, such as printed documents or images.

When a user prints a document, the computer sends data to the printer, which processes the information and produces the final output that the user can see or hold. This capability allows printers to serve essential functions in both personal and professional settings, making them crucial for tasks that require tangible results.

In contrast, devices like keyboards and microphones are primarily input devices, designed for capturing user data (text and audio, respectively). Scanners, while they do translate physical documents into digital formats, serve the purpose of inputting data into the computer rather than outputting it. Therefore, the printer is definitively classified as an output device, as it deals with delivering information in a consumable format for the user.