Advantages and Disadvantages in Types of Printers

When it comes time to buy a printer for your business, it can be difficult to understand the benefits and drawbacks of the various types of printers available. When making a purchase decision, you should compare more than just the original purchase price of a device. Comparing the ongoing maintenance costs, overall size, speed, and functionality of a printer will help you select the model that best meets your business’s needs.

Laser Printers
Laser printers get their name from the fact that they use laser technology to transfer images to paper. A laser printer is the fastest printer option, with a higher purchase price but a lower overall cost of ownership than an inkjet printer. For example, while the initial cost of a laser toner cartridge may appear high, the cartridge typically lasts for thousands of pages, potentially reducing the number of replacements required each year. As a result, for black and white printing, a laser printer is frequently the best option. There are colour laser models available, but they do not produce superior, high-resolution photo prints.

Inkjet Printers
Inkjet printers get their name from the fact that the images they print are created using liquid ink. As a result, inkjet printers are frequently the best option for high-resolution photo printing. When exposed to liquid or humid conditions, photos and documents printed on inkjet printers may bleed or smear. Although the initial cost of an inkjet printer is lower than that of a laser printer, the ongoing cost of replacement ink cartridges is higher. The ink cartridges are smaller and must be replaced more frequently. Over the course of a year, this cost can add up. As a result, inkjet printers aren’t the best choice for high-volume black-and-white document printing.

All-in-One Printers
All-in-one printers typically offer the ability to print, copy, scan, and fax from a single device. This space-saving design, which is available in laser and inkjet models, can benefit those with limited office space. Furthermore, a multifunctional printer can save your company money on the cost of purchasing multiple devices. Unfortunately, if you experience a printing problem, you may be unable to use any of the device’s functions, leaving you without a copier or fax machine. When selecting an all-in-one printer, consider whether the laser or inkjet version best meets your needs.

Other Considerations
If you want to share the printer with more than one computer on your network, you should consider the different networking options. You can connect a printer directly to a computer and then use that computer to share the printer with others. However, when you turn off the computer, the printer is no longer available. Alternatively, many printers now come with a built-in network jack that allows you to connect the device directly to a switch or hub on your business network. Often, these printers cost more to purchase, but this type of direct connection allows you to share the printer with any computer on your network without the need of a specific computer connection.