What is the difference between a USB, parallel, serial and network printer?

USB, parallel, serial and network are all ways in which to connect your printer to a computer or network.

If your printer simply plugs into your computer, then a USB cable is normally used – although older parallel or serial connections are occasionally required.

However, if you plan to use your printer as part of an office or home network, in which several people need access to the machine, then the best choice is a network printer than connects directly to your router.