Printing nowadays is extremely cheap, as you can rapidly put just about anything on a piece of physical paper with just a few coins. But what if the job you have demands you to print frequently? In that case, it means that you should definitely consider buying your own printer to have at home whenever you need it.
If you’ve never bought a printer before, it can be a bit intimidating to try to find the right one for you. We all know that the store employees don’t necessarily want to give you quality. Instead, their main goal is to make as much money as possible. But thanks to the overwhelming powers of the internet, we can rapidly find the information that interests us.
Printing needs and volume
Before starting to read the technical specs, you need to be fully aware of your own printing demands. Are you a casual user in need of photos and documents only from time to time, or do you need a workhorse capable of handling high-volume tasks? By understanding exactly what are your printing needs, your decision-making process will become clear as well.
Inkjet or laser?
The two primary types of consumer printers are laser and inkjet, and each of them offers different advantages. Inkjet printers are best when it comes to producing high-quality color prints and are suitable for graphic design and photo printing.
As for laser printers, on the other hand, they are renowned for their efficiency, speed, and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, they are ideal when it comes to high-volume text and grayscale printing. When you select between laser and inkjet technology, you must consider your intended use and budget.
Print quality and resolution
Print quality is very important, especially if we’re talking about projects that demand crisp text and vibrant colors. Therefore, you need to evaluate the resolution of the printer, measured in dots per inch (dpi), to gauge its ability to reproduce gradients and fine details accurately.
Even though higher resolution usually results in better print quality, it may come at the expense of printing speed and consumable costs.
Connectivity options
You need a printer that can connect well with your devices, such as your laptop, desktop PC, or even smartphone, if you want. Therefore, if a printer you’re considering buying has connectivity options such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB, and mobile printing capabilities, that is indeed great news for you!
While Ethernet connectivity facilitates network sharing in office environments, you may wish to opt for wireless connectivity since it enables printing from portable devices, such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets.
Costs and consumables
Except for the initial purchase price, you must also consider the long-term operating costs that are associated with the printer you’re considering buying. You will have to assess the cost per page for consumables such as ink cartridges or toner cartridges, as well as any extra maintenance expenses.
Budget-friendly printers can indeed boast attractive price tags, but you should examine the cost of replacement cartridges and the efficiency of the printer in using consumables.
Surely, each and every one of us can find the right information these days in order to make a great purchase, and it also applies in the case of printers!