Printer Pro
 |
 HP OfficeJet Pro K550 Standard Inkjet Printer  US $45.00
|
 SLIGHTLY USED LaserJet Pro P1102w Printer US $89.00
|
 HP LaserJet Pro CP1025nW Color Laser Printer 17PPM US $113.27
|
 Epson Stylus Pro 9600 Large Format Inkjet Printer US $1,200.00
|
Choosing a Printer - Inkjet or Laser?
Choosing a printer - inkjet or laser?
The right printer is an essential part of your home or office computer set up. The buying process can be a confusing one, not least because leading manufacturers seem to release a new model of each type almost every day, and lets not forget the huge range of ink cartridges and laser toner, which seem to change on an hourly basis!
So, what is the best choice? Well, unfortunately there is no definitive answer for this question as it really depends on your individual needs. What you can do however, is clue yourself up on the advantages of each type, and make an informed decision when purchasing.
We’ve listed the two types of printer below, and included a simple list of the pro’s and con’s of each. After all, there is no sense in us waffling on when all you’re trying to do is buy the right printer!
Inkjet Printers – Pro’s
Cheap to buy. Main brand printers retail from as little as £30 (US$60).
Choice. Wide range available, from specialist photo printers to all in one printer/scanner/copier devices.
Footprint. An inkjet printer generally has smaller dimensions than a laser, often making it more suitable for the home office.
Ease of use. Designed primarily for the home and small office market, inkjets tend to be simple to use and have easily accessible features.
Paper options. Just about every printer manufacturer also offers its own range of printer paper. Depending on the desired finish you can choose anything from standard inkjet copier paper, to matt or gloss photo paper specifically designed for this type of printer.
Inkjet Printers – Con’s
Cost per copy. Despite the low initial purchase price of an inkjet printer, the cost per printed page remains high when compared to laser printing due to the higher relative cost of ink cartridges vs. laser toner. This issue however is not particularly serious for home users, who print in low volumes. It becomes more of an issue the more pages you print. Buying your ink cartridges from www.accentyourpc.co.uk could help to minimise this difference even further.
Efficiency. Since inkjet printers spray ink on to the page, the result is that much of the ink cartridge is wasted through absorption when using standard paper. High quality prints often require multiple coats of ink to ensure the correct density and therefore maximum clarity.
Print speed. Inkjet printers are much slower than laser printers in general, especially when printing in colour.
Longevity. Inkjet printers tend to be produced on the cheap in order to keep retail prices down. The quality of components can be much lower than laser printers. The fact that they spray ink to the page also means that they are liable to clogging over time. An inkjet printer will rarely outlast a laser if both are subjected to equal use.
Accuracy. Spraying ink on to a page from ink cartridges is much less accurate than the precise methods of a laser printer. This results in a slight blur effect on most printed pages.
Vibration. The movement of the ink cartridges or print nozzle across the page whilst printing can often lead to a strong vibration effect if the printer is placed on a computer desk. This can prove to be an annoyance for some people.
Ink drying time. It stands to reason that the ink is sprayed on to the page wet. Consequently, pages require a little time to dry before being picked up. Ignoring the drying requirements can see smudges appearing across your printed document. Inkjet prints also do not stand up to rain very well, which whilst not normally a problem, if you print the address on an envelope with an inkjet, postal workers may have a hard time reading it on occasion!
Inkjet Printers – Summary
If you print mainly at home and in lower volumes, consider an inkjet printer. They are versatile thanks to the range of combination devices, and the cost per copy, whilst relatively high, is probably largely irrelevant to you thanks to the low purchase price. A wide choice of paper gives you a good selection of finishes for your photo prints and the quality is likely to be more than satisfactory for framing and display.
Laser Printers – Pro’s
Cost per copy. Laser technology makes very efficient use of toner when printing resulting in a low cost per copy. Whilst toner cartridges appear expensive, you can usually print somewhere in the region of 4,000 pages before replacing your laser toner cartridge. Compared to an approximate average yield of 300 pages for a typical ink cartridge costing roughly a third of the price, the long term savings are highly apparent. Laser copier paper is also generally cheaper than the equivalent paper designed for inkjet printers.
Efficiency. These printers work by attracting the laser toner (ink) on to the page using an electronic charge. Since the printer is able to calculate the precise pattern of the print, only the exact amount of laser toner required is applied. This results in very little wastage.
Print speed. Laser printers are able to print at very quick speeds, in some cases up to 35 pages per minute. Compared to approximately 10-15 pages per minute for an inkjet printer, this represents a significant advantage during large print runs, or when production time is critical.
Longevity. A properly maintained laser printer can last for many years and print in excess of a million copies during this time providing you use the recommended original laser toner cartridges.
Accuracy. The electrostatic technology behind laser printers ensures that the ink is applied to the toner in a highly precise manner. Since the ink is not sprayed but attracted to the page via an electronic charge there is little margin for error.
Print quality. Once the toner has been attracted on to the page it is then heated causing it to fuse with the paper. This produces a clean and clear finish which is water resistant and has a natural sheen. Photo paper can be used to give a gloss or matt finish to an image printed on a colour laser printer.
Networking features. Laser printers often have built in networking designed for environments where multiple users require the ability to print over a network.
No ink expiry. Whilst ink cartridges for inkjet printers can dry and be rendered useless if left unused for an extended period, laser toner does not suffer from this issue.
Laser Printers – Con’s
Expensive to buy. Traditionally, laser printers cost more to acquire than their inkjet counterparts. However, this trend is now changing with mono laser printers starting to appear on the market for as little as £100 (US$200). Colour laser printers however, remain relatively expensive, priced at around the £300 (US$600) for an entry level model.
Footprint. Laser printers tend to be larger in size than inkjet models, which can cause an issue for home users, yet presents less of a problem in the office environment.
Electricity requirement. Laser printers have a higher power requirement than inkjet printers which may be noticeable on your electricity bill over time.
Warm up time. If a laser printer has not been used for a while, it requires time to warm up the printing drum before a print can be output. This time varies considerably, but is extended if the printer has been switched completely off to save power.
Laser Printers – Summary
For home users who print mainly text documents a mono laser printer may be an economical choice. The initial purchase price aside, you are likely to see a better return on your investment over time. Until colour lasers reduce significantly in price, users wishing to undertake colour printing at home may be better served with an inkjet printer for the time being.
In terms of office users, the increase in print volume seen in any typical office justifies the purchase of a laser printer, colour or mono, from the outset. Choosing an inkjet for business would almost certainly be false economy unless it is required for a special task such as large format printing on paper of A3 size or above.
Don’t forget, when your cartridges do run out, visit www.accentyourpc.co.uk for the best deals on ink cartridges and laser toner.
Stay tuned for our next article!
About the Author
|
|
Printer,Lj Pro Cm1415fnw $339.99 PRINTER,LJ PRO CM1415FNW |
|
|
Epson Printer Cutter For Stylus Pro 7900 and 9900 $129.99 C12C815331 Epson Epson Corporation Printer Cutter Printer Cutter For Stylus Pro 7900 and 9900 www.epson.com |
|
|
Belkin PRO Series Printer Cable $11.99 1 x 25-pin DB-25 Male IEEE 1284 Parallel 1 x 36-pin Centronics Male IEEE 1284 Parallel 10 ft You've purchased the printer of your dreams, but a faulty printer cable keeps sending it error filled data. This Belkin Pro Series IEEE 1284 compliant printer cable will keep that dream machine error free. This Pro Series Parallel Printer Cable links your IEEE 1284 printer with a Centronics 36-port to your PC with a DB25 port. Featuring our exclusive wiring design and cable technology that guarantees optimal performance and data transfer. Belkin Belkin International, Inc Centronics Copper DB-25 Data Transfer Cable F2A046A10 Lifetime PRO Series Printer Cable Printer Pro www.belkin.com |
|
|
Belkin Pro Series Printer Cable $2.99 1 x 25-pin DB-25 Male 1 x 36-pin Centronics Male 72" Oversized ergonomic thumbscrews Strain relief Conductors are individually insulated in polypropylene to minimize cross talk, ensuring high-speed, error-free transmission. You've purchased the printer of your dreams, but a faulty printer cable keeps sending it error filled data. This Belkin Pro Series printer cable will keep that dream machine error free. This Pro Series Bi-Directional Printer Cable attaches any PC with DB25 female parallel ports to parallel printers with Centronics 36 female ports. Supports any non IEEE 1284 compliant computers or printers. Belkin Belkin International, Inc Centronics Copper DB-25 Data Transfer Cable F2A036-06 Lifetime Molded PVC Printer Pro Pro Series Printer Cable www.belkin.com |
|
|
HP LaserJet Pro P1102w Printer $159.99 Print documents, photos, and other information in exceptional quality with the HP LaserJet Pro P1102w printer . This laser printer is affordable, and is the most energy efficient printer on the market. The HP LaserJet Pro P1102w printer makes printing wireless from your home or office a breeze. Features include HP's signature Plug and print-no CD required with HP Smart Install, professional-quality business prints with bold, crisp text and sharp images, and printing your images sooner with HP's Instant On Technology. Features Printing method: Laser Up to 18 pages per minute print quality: 600 x 600 x 2 dpi Wireless What's in the Box HP LaserJet Pro P1102w Printer Introductory HP LaserJet Black print cartridge power cord USB cable Getting Started Guide UPC: 884962408049 Manufacturer's Part Number: CE657A#BGJ |
|
|
HP Paper Tray for Officejet Pro 8500 Printer $58.99 250 250 Sheet HP Officejet Pro 8500 Multifunction Color Inkjet Printer CB802A HP Hewlett-Packard Paper Tray Paper Tray for Officejet Pro 8500 Printer Plain Paper Sheet www.hp.com |
|
|
Epson Printer Cutter for Stylus Pro Printers $84.99 Epson Stylus Pro 4800 Printer Epson Stylus Pro 7800 Printer Epson Stylus Pro 9800 Printer Epson Stylus Pro 4000 Print Engine Epson Stylus Pro 4800 Professional Edition Epson Stylus Pro 7800 Professional Edition Epson Stylus Pro 9800 Professional Edition Epson Stylus Pro 7600 Print Engine with UltraChrome Ink Epson Stylus Pro 9600 Print Engine with UltraChrome Ink Epson Stylus Pro 7600 Print Engine with Photographic Dye Ink Epson Stylus Pro 9600 Print Engine with Photographic Dye Ink C12C815291 Epson Epson Corporation Printer Cutter Printer Cutter for Stylus Pro Printers www.epson.com |
|
|
Lexmark Pro 205 Multifunction Printer $108.99 1 1 x Automatic Document Feeder 35 Sheet 1 x EIO 1 x Input Tray 100 Sheet 100 sheets 11.40" 1200 dpi 1200 x 2400 dpi 14" 160 pages 18.80" 25% 30 33 33.6 400% 4800 x 1200 dpi 64 MB 90T6005 2.4" color display Automatic Borderless Media Color Copier Dark Gray Desktop Energy Star Fax Inkjet Multifunction Printer Lexmark Lexmark International, Inc Not Applicable PC Photo Print Plain Paper Printer Pro 205 Pro 205 Multifunction Printer Scanner Yes www.lexmark.com |
|
|
PRO Series printer cable - 10 ft $4.99 Belkin PRO Series - Printer cable - DB-9 (F) - DB-25 (M) - 10 ft - thumbscrews stranded |
|
|
PRO Series printer cable - 6 ft $9 Belkin PRO Series - Printer cable - DB-25 (M) - 36 pin Centronics (M) - 6 ft - molded thumbscrews stranded |
|
|
Zeus PA9P Printer Autoloader with intergrated Pro III Thermal Printer / 900 disc capacity / 160GB HDD $7198 Zeus PA9P Printer Autoloader with intergrated Pro III Thermal Printer / 900 disc capacity / 160GB HDD |
|
|
Zeus PA9H Printer Autoloader with intergrated SpeedJet Pro Inkject Printer / 600 disc capacity / 160GB HDD $5698 Zeus PA9H Printer Autoloader with intergrated SpeedJet Pro Inkject Printer / 600 disc capacity / 160GB HDD |
|
|
Zeus PA7P Printer Autoloader with intergrated Pro III Thermal Printer / 630 disc capacity / 160GB HDD $6298 Zeus PA7P Printer Autoloader with intergrated Pro III Thermal Printer / 630 disc capacity / 160GB HDD |
|
|
Zeus PA7H Printer Autoloader with intergrated SpeedJet Pro Inkject Printer / 420 disc capacity / 160GB HDD $4798 Zeus PA7H Printer Autoloader with intergrated SpeedJet Pro Inkject Printer / 420 disc capacity / 160GB HDD |
|
|
Zeus PA4P Printer Autoloader with intergrated Pro III Thermal Printer / 330 disc capacity / 160GB HDD $5578 Zeus PA4P Printer Autoloader with intergrated Pro III Thermal Printer / 330 disc capacity / 160GB HDD |
|
|
Zeus PA4H Printer Autoloader with intergrated SpeedJet Pro Inkject Printer / 220 disc capacity / 160GB HDD $4078 Zeus PA4H Printer Autoloader with intergrated SpeedJet Pro Inkject Printer / 220 disc capacity / 160GB HDD |
|
|
Epson Maintenance Cartridge For Stylus Pro 3800 Printer $18.99 Epson Printers: Stylus Pro 3800 Professional Edition Stylus Pro 3800 Replacement ink maintenance cartridge is user replaceable. The printer alerts user when tank needs to be changed Epson Epson Corporation Inkjet Maintenance Cartridge For Stylus Pro 3800 Printer Maintenance Kit T582000 www.epson.com |
|
|
Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4540 Laser Multifunction Printer - Color - Plain Paper Print - Desktop - Printer, Scanner, Copier, Fa... $390.72 Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4540 Laser Multifunction Printer - Color - Plain Paper Print - Desktop - Printer, Scanner, Copier, Fa... |
|
|
Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4530 Inkjet Multifunction Printer - Color - Photo Print - Desktop - Printer, Scanner, Copier, Fax - 1... $279 Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4530 Inkjet Multifunction Printer - Color - Photo Print - Desktop - Printer, Scanner, Copier, Fax - 1... |
|
|
Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4590 Inkjet Multifunction Printer - Color - Plain Paper Print - Desktop - Printer, Scanner, Copier, F... $565.92 Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4590 Inkjet Multifunction Printer - Color - Plain Paper Print - Desktop - Printer, Scanner, Copier, F... |
|
|
Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4520 Inkjet Multifunction Printer - Color - Plain Paper Print - Desktop - Printer, Scanner, Copier, F... $350.87 Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4520 Inkjet Multifunction Printer - Color - Plain Paper Print - Desktop - Printer, Scanner, Copier, F... |
|
|
Microboards PF-Pro DVD/CD Disc Auto Printer $2495 Microboards PF-Pro DVD/CD Disc Auto Printer |
|
|
Epson / Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Inkjet Large Format Printer / CA61201-VM $1274.19 Epson - Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Inkjet Large Format Printer - CA61201-VM |
|
|
HP / HP LaserJet Pro M1536dnf Multifunction Printer / CE538AR#BGJ-KS $250.67 HP - HP LaserJet Pro M1536dnf Multifunction Printer - CE538AR#BGJ-KS |
|
|
HP / HP LaserJet Pro P1606DN Network-Ready Printer / CE749AR#BGJ $151.13 HP - HP LaserJet Pro P1606DN Network-Ready Printer - CE749AR#BGJ |
|
|
HP / HP LaserJet Pro CP1025nw Color Laser Printer / CE914AR#BGJ $174.13 HP - HP LaserJet Pro CP1025nw Color Laser Printer - CE914AR#BGJ |
|
|
HP / HP LaserJet Pro P1102W Wireless Printer / CE657AR#BGJ $116.89 HP - HP LaserJet Pro P1102W Wireless Printer - CE657AR#BGJ |
|
|
XLNT Idea Nexis Pro BlackJack AP DVD/CD Printer $899 XLNT Idea Nexis Pro BlackJack AP DVD/CD Printer |
|
|
XLNT Idea Nexis Pro 100 Auto Disc Media Printer $1082.9 XLNT Idea Nexis Pro 100 Auto Disc Media Printer |
|
|
XLNT Idea Nexis Pro 100 Auto Disc Media Printer 889406715189 $892.5 XLNT Idea Nexis Pro 100 Auto Disc Media Printer 889406715189 |
|
|
XLNT Idea Nexis Pro 100 Auto Disc Media Printer 889406716148 $1011.5 XLNT Idea Nexis Pro 100 Auto Disc Media Printer 889406716148 |
|
|
XLNT Idea Nexis Pro 100 Auto Disc Media Printer 889406779082 $1011.5 XLNT Idea Nexis Pro 100 Auto Disc Media Printer 889406779082 |
|
|
Xlnt Idea Nexis Pro Blackjack Ap Dvd/Cd Printer $899 XLNT Idea Nexis Pro BlackJack AP DVD/CD Printer |
|
|
Xlnt Idea Nexis Pro 100 Auto Disc Media Printer $1190 XLNT Idea Nexis Pro 100 Auto Disc Media Printer |
|
|
HP OfficeJet Pro 8500 A909g Wireless All-in-One Printer CB023A $377.42 HP OfficeJet Pro 8500 A909g Wireless All-in-One Printer CB023A |