With the staggering amount of options and models
available, buying a printer can be a intimidating job. From simple travel
printers to larger multi-functional printers, there are printers for every
application. With the many options and specifications available in printers,
consumers can often be mislead about what they actually need. How fast does
your printer need to be, and what resolution will work for the purposes you
seek? Here is a look at some common applications and suggestions for the
printer that is best suited for your needs.
Buying a printer can be particularly confusing for a home user who seeks
versatile options but doesn’t want to pay a fortune. Which options are most
important? First, as a rule of thumb, laser printers excel at printing black
and white text at quick rates while inkjet printers are better for graphic
heavy applications. Not only do the printers themselves cost less than a laser
printer, their supplies are also less expensive. Inkjet printers excel at a
wide range of applications and can print quality photos up to 8.5 x 11 inches
as well as greeting cards, banners, and business cards.
Next, it is important to decide just how versatile you need your printer
to be. Many printers offer all-in-one fax, copy and scan options. These can be
useful, yet as with other multi-function devices, if one function breaks, the
entire unit will need to be replaced or repaired.
With the needs of a home user encompassing both printing digital
photography and text, it is probably best to choose a inkjet printer. A laser
printer that could adequately cover both applications would likely be out of
the budget of most pedestrian home users, whereas a inkjet printer that could
fit the bill will run between $50 and $150. The only downside being print
speed, however, if you are willing to shell out more money, printer speeds
increase.
For a digital photographer, the choice isn’t as simple as it may seem.
Sure, the dynamic range of photographs demands the color and ink set that an
inkjet can provide, but considerations must be made as to whether the printer
will be a dedicated photo printer, or if it needs to have multiple functions.
If the solution is a dedicated printer, then there are a number of important
features to consider including ink set, color-management tools, and supported
papers. Another solution for some digital cameras are snapshot printers which
can print directly from a supported digital camera.
If your main concern is printing high quality text and a quick rate,
perhaps a student or writer, a laser printer is an ideal choice. The speed and
quality of laser a printer can be had for around $200 and is the ideal
complement for these specialized needs. For the frequent traveler, a high
quality, portable printer is necessary. There are an amazing amount of inkjet
printers that weigh between two and three pounds and are easily transported by
the business traveler. A printer of this
type often runs on a battery or has a car charger that can keep it at full
power.