Step 1: Inkjet or Laser Printer

Now that you know what your printer needs are, it’s time to decide whether an inkjet printer or laser printer best suits those needs. Here’s a little background information about inkjet and laser printers to help you gain a more in-depth understanding of the differences between the two.

inkjet

Inkjet printers use liquid ink, which is sprayed through microscopic nozzles onto the paper.

• Pros

  Print better quality images and photographs, and some printers can even print directly onto CDs and DVDs.

  Typically costs less than laser printers

  Supports different types of paper, including matte and glossy paper, in addition to some fabrics.

• cons

  Inkjet printers should ideally be used once a week to prevent their ink cartridges from drying out.

  If you only print occasionally, a monochrome laser printer might be a better choice for your needs.

laser

Laser printers use a toner cartridge (filled with fine powder) and a heated fuser, which binds the heated toner to the paper.

• Pros

  Faster printing speed

  Low CPP (Cost Per Page)

  Monthly duty cycle around 20,000 pages

  Print better quality texts and graphics

• cons

  The printer cost is more expensive than inkjet printers.

  When printing photos or images, the printing quality is not as good as inkjet printers.

• Pros

  Print better quality images and photographs, and some printers can even print directly onto CDs and DVDs.

  Typically costs less than laser printers

  Supports different types of paper, including matte and glossy paper, in addition to some fabrics.

• cons

  Inkjet printers should ideally be used once a week to prevent their ink cartridges from drying out.

  If you only print occasionally, a monochrome laser printer might be a better choice for your needs.

• Pros

  Faster printing speed

  Low CPP (Cost Per Page)

  Monthly duty cycle around 20,000 pages

  Print better quality texts and graphics

• cons

  The printer cost is more expensive than inkjet printers.

  When printing photos or images, the printing quality is not as good as inkjet printers.

Step 2: Single-function or Multifunction

Both Inkjet and Laser printers have different functions to choose from. Now it is time to decide whether you need a single function or multifunction printer.

SINGLE-FUNCTION PRINTER

If you only need your printer for printing, a single function printer is the right choice for you.

MULTIFUNCTION PRINTER

Multifunction printers usually come in two types -- 3-in-1 and 4-in-1. 3-in-1 has print, copy and scan functions, while 4-in-1 has print, copy, scan and fax functions. Multifunction printer is a great choice for small offices with a variety of needs. By consolidating 3 to 4 tasks into a single device, and you can save space and energy.

Step 3: Monochrome (Black and White) or Color

Ask yourself what types of documents you will be printing to determine the type of printer that will suit you best. If you will only be printing black and white documents such as invoices and text documents, then all you need is a monochrome printer. Opt for a color printer if you also need to print color documents, or photos on a regular basis.

MONOCHROME PRINTERS

Invoices

text documents

Homework (black and white documents)

COLOR PRINTERS

Photos

Flyers

Presentation Flyers

Step 4: Connectivity

Connectivity is important to consider when it comes to choosing the right printer. There are four types of connectivity options for printers: USB; network (LAN); wireless and mobile. The connectivity type you choose depends on how you plan to use and the environment of your new printer. Check below to learn more about the different connectivity types:

• usb

  A USB printer connects to your computer via a USB cable. Most printers can be connected via a USB cable.

  A USB printer connects to your computer via a USB cable.

• network

  Network printers are connected directly to a network via a router and an Ethernet cable. To access a network printer you must connect your computer to the same network.
  Network printers are ideal for office environments because they can be shared by office staff members. If you want to purchase a network computer, look for a USB printer with an Ethernet feature.

  Network printers are connected directly to a network via a router and an Ethernet cable.

• wirless

  For wireless printers, all print materials are sent to the printer via a wireless connection.
  Wireless printers are a great option for offices where people bring their own laptops to work, or homes with multiple family members who need to share access to a single printer. If wireless sounds right for you, look for wireless connectivity (usually up to 802.11n specification).

  For wireless printers, all print materials are sent to the printer via a wireless connection.

• mobile printing

  Mobile printers are perhaps the most flexible options on the market in terms of connectivity. They allow users to print wirelessly from their mobile devices, and in some cases from cloud services. Printers with the Air Print feature allow users to print from an iOS device. Users can also print on mobile printers using Google Cloud Print to print from Android and iOS devices, or use printer-specific apps to print from iOS or Android devices.

  They allow users to print wirelessly from their mobile devices, and in some cases from cloud services.

Step 6: Consider the consumable and supply cost

Cost is key to any smart purchase. Setting an initial budget for your new printer can quickly help you narrow down your options. Printers are sold for a broad range of prices -- from less than $100 to several thousands of dollars per model. It is important to consider the cost of the printer you plan to buy, and the cost and number of cartridges needed for the printer to operate.