Three Questions To Answer Before Buying A New Printer
There are so many printers on store shelves today - tons of different options to choose from! Are they really all that different? How much thought should you put into your purchase or will you impulse buy whatever’s on sale? Are some brands better than others? Read on for three vital questions to ask when buying a new printer.
Q1. Should I Buy a Laser or Inkjet Printer?
This is the absolute first question to ask yourself (and you should actually think it through!). Some people have the wrong type of printer for their needs - leading to frustration and wasted money. Read through our breakdown below to learn which one best meets your needs.
LASER PRINTERS
Two types: black-only or colour
Won't dry out, not affected by extended periods of inactivity
Medium or large in size, not usually portable
Usually a higher initial cost but can pay off over time
Lower cost per page (especially for black only, colour can cost more)
Best for documents, school work & basic colour printing
Maximum resolution of 600 x 600 dpi - not capable of high resolution photo printing
INKJET PRINTERS
All are colour printers
Can dry out easily or clog up in dry climates or due to inactivity
Often a lower initial cost but running costs are likely higher than laser
Higher cost per page for black only but colour inkjet can cost less than colour laser
High resolution of 9600 x 4800 dpi and up
Best for documents, school work, complex colour printing and high-resolution photos
Q2. Which Printer Offers the Best Value For Me?
Once you’ve determined whether laser or inkjet is right for you, consider the full lifetime cost of a printer, not just the cost to purchase. Compare a few different printer brands and models based on ink or toner volume and page estimates as well as the purchase price and cost per cartridge. You want to figure out the overall cost of ownership and compare printers based on those numbers. Remember our general rule of thumb: Inexpensive or low volume cartridges often have less ink or toner and cost more in the end!
Another thing to consider comparing the value and costs for different printers is how popular the models and brands are. Choose the most popular brands and printer models so that replacement parts and non-OEM ink/toner supplies are easiest to find and will offer the most options for you.
Q3. Which Printer Is Most Earth-Friendly?
Now that you’ve narrowed it down to a couple printer options, it’s time to compare each printer’s cartridges. Which ones can be refilled to reduce waste (and save more money!)? Which ones hold more ink or toner and will need to be replaced less often? Which ones have a high capacity or ‘XL’ size so you can maximize the volume of ink or toner per cartridge?
You should be well on your way to choosing a great printer now! And remember, don't let a flash sale sway you from carefully choosing what you need and being sure you know the full costs of what you're getting into. You might still have questions since we can’t cover absolutely everything you need to know in this blog. If so, get in touch with us and ask away! We're happy to help you find the best printer for your needs and give recommendations where we can.