Buying A Computer Printer - Keep These Factors In Mind

Choosing a printer for your computer can become a daunting job if you compare the various features, price ranges and qualities available in the market and the first question that needs to be answered in this respect is what the printer is going to be used for? This decision can be broadly categorized into two major types of printing technologies that are available today: Ink-Jet and Laser.

While the Ink-Jet printers provide an affordable and effective solution for the home users as well as home businesses, the Laser printers are recommended for places that require high quality resolution, speed and efficiency making them perfect for businesses.

Other parameters that play a big role in the decision are as follows:

SPEED

A printer’s speed is rated in pages per minute (PPM), and can range from 4 to 10+. PPM depends upon several such factors as whether the print data is black and white or color, or if it is text only or full page. Normally the laser printers have larger PPM while printing text than an Inkjet printer.

RESOLUTION

Resolution of a printer is the number of dots per inch (DPI) that the printer is capable of printing. High DPI means greater detail and quality of the print.

INK / TONER

The below mentioned characteristics of ink/toner become very important while considering maintenance aspects of the printer, thus making them a key deciding factor while choosing between printers.

* Price: Probably the most important factor is price. In long term, the price of the ink can get prohibitive if the printer is used frequently as the ink would need to be refilled often.

* Availability: Some manufacturers put the condition that if the ink is bought from a third party the warranty of the printer would become void. Ensure that there’s no such condition and that the ink may be purchased from a third-party also.

* Type While considering buying an Ink-Jet printer, enquire whether the printer accepts the separate color cartridges. If all the color cartridges are included as a single one cartridge, then you’ll be forced to purchase all colors for only one color that may have run out. Additionally, see if the cartridges are ink and nozzles or just ink. Ink and nozzles cartridges cost more as compared to those that have just ink.

COST PER PAGE

The Cost per Page will help you in estimating the total expenditure on the amount of the printing that you’ll need to do. It works out to be lesser for laser printers than an ink printer.

PRICE RANGE

The price range of the printer may vary owing to several attributes but as a lump sum figure, the Ink-Jet Printer costs around $100.00 - $400.00 while a Laser Printer would cost in the range $300.00 - $2,000.00.

Always keep these tips in mind while you’re deciding upon which printer to buy and hopefully your printer will turn out to be the best purchase that you have made.

By: Johnson Author

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