Comparing Laser And Inkjet Printers

By Author: John Pickering
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There are always going to be advantages and disadvantages of both laser and inkjet printers. Each of these printers works well for different scenarios and depends on the types of print jobs you will be performing on a consistent basis. You will need to consider how much you typically print on average in order to determine what type of printer to buy. Inkjet printers and laser printers, although similar in some aspects, differ quite greatly in terms of color choices, ink replacement costs, productivity and other important factors.

If you're the type that only prints every now and then, then an inkjet printer might be ideal for your printing needs. Inkjet printers are great for printing documents and pictures on an occasional basis. One of the great things about them is that they are capable of printing with both black and colors, which is going to be ideal for someone who loves to print out photos and other color pictures. Inkjet printers are usually less costly than laser models although the cost to replace the ink cartridge can be considerable. If you are going to do a lot of printing with an inkjet then you will most ...
... likely find yourself spending a considerable amount of money in order to keep the printer running.

Pricing schemes

Another thing to take into consideration about the fact that inkjet printers use much more ink than laser printers is the marketing rationale. You will probably notice as you are shopping for an inkjet printer that the cost to replace both cartridges, black and color, is often not much less than the printer itself, and sometimes even more. This is due to the fact that the manufacturers know that they can easily make their money back on the printers over time by charging a higher price for the replacement cartridges. Recently some name brand printers have announced low-priced black ink cartridges, but it's still a good idea to consider all of these facts before choosing to purchase an Inkjet printer.

The pricing is more straightforward on laser printers, which are a good choice for those individuals that do a lot of printing on a regular basis. They are much faster than inkjet printers and can handle a higher volume of printing. Laser printers are much better when it comes to use of toner, as toner cartridges tend to last longer and don't need to be replaced as often as ink ones. Laser printers are more expensive up front than inkjet printers, which means that while you will save money over time, the initial cost for one, especially a color model, is higher. If you're looking to pay less money for a laser printer, then you can expect that it will only print black only, which is fine for people using them for office documents or plain text printing. If you want to take your laser printing to the next level, of pictures and other color output, then you need to be willing to fork over the right amount of dough.

General considerations

There are, of course, some things that you need to consider before purchasing any type of printer. You need to know the difference between the inkjet and the laser printer, the fact that the inkjet uses liquid ink and the laser printer uses powdered ink, the difference in printing resolution (how fine and small characters can be) and other things. These factors can play an important part in your determination. Be sure to assess all of your individual needs. If you're looking to use a printer for high levels of photo printing, an inkjet is the best choice for that scenario. If you are getting a printer for mainly document printing, a laser printer is ideal for that.

You need to know your budget, as well. How much you are willing to spend on a printer will also be a major factor in the choice you make. Finally, do some research online about the differences among various brands of inkjets and lasers, and ask questions online of some of the experts that are available. Get some side-by-side comparisons and even their personal opinions on what printer will be most suitable for your needs. There are a lot of printers coming out now with wireless capabilities, printing without cables, but you may wish to wait until they drop in price. You can also buy office all-in-ones, printers that include copiers, faxing and scanning. There are more and more choices all the time, so if it's all sounding new to you, keep on reading, asking and listening until you are comfortable making a decision.

Take your time and don't feel as though you need to rush into anything, because you will most likely make a better decision if you take it slow. Purchasing a printer doesn't have to be a nightmare and can actually be a very pleasant experience if done correctly.
About Author:
John Pickering is the owner of EezyTrade.co.uk, an online retailer of new and refilled printer ink cartridges for Brother, HP, Canon, Epson, Lexmark and Xerox printers. Visit online today and begin saving.