Inkjet Printer Versus Laser Printer

For most people, buying a new printer means driving to the local office supply store and grabbing whatever model is on sale.  Unfortunately, this really isn't the most efficient method to shop for printers.  A little research in this area will go along way in helping you make an educated buying decision.  Most buyers will narrow their research down to either an inkjet model or a laser printer. Before making a decision, it's important to review the pros and cons of both styles:

Quality of print - In terms of print quality, you'll find that laser printers have a distinct edge.  Some high end inkjets can produce laser quality printing, but they tend to be fairly expensive and have a very slow print speed. As a general rule, laser printers will create higher quality printing.

Print Speed - In terms of print speed, laser printers win no contest.  typical inkjet printers usually max out at 5-12 pages per minute, while a typical laser printer averages 22-26 pages per minute.  A high speed laser printer can go all the way up to 35 pages per minute.

Connectivity - A question that is commonly overlooked when choosing a printer is how it connects to the computer? Nearly all computers produced today come standard with a few USB (united serial bus) ports, and most all printers can connect via a USP port.  But what if your computer unit is older and doesn't have a USB port?  Then you'll have to link to the printer using a serial port. Since not all printers will connect through a serial port, it's important to be aware of this fact.  Trust me, it's a real bummer to get your new printer all the way home and find out that it won't link to your system   

Cost - If you walk in to a electronic store and start shopping, you will immediately observe a substantial difference in pricing. Laser printers are usually more costly than inkjet printers, sometimes several times as much. A good quality office laser printer that can network can easily cost over $1,000, while a high quality inkjet printer will run you around $100. Please note that laser printer and inkjet prices will vary greatly and you may find some inkjet printers that cost more than a laser and vice-versa. However, purchase costs of the printer don't really cover the big picture.  The biggest differences between a laser and an inkjet are really the hidden operational costs.

Operational cost - Long term operational costs in printers is a factor that is rarely thought about when purchasing a printer.  This is unfortunate as it can really play a role in your purchasing decision when you understand the facts. Inkjet cartridges usually cost $20 to $50 per cartridge, and only contain enough ink to print about 200 pages.  The more expensive laser printer uses a toner cartridge that costs about twice as much, but contains enough ink to print 5000 to 7000 pages.  As you can see, a laser printer significantly lowers the cost of printing on a per page basis.  If you do even a moderate printing volume (more than 50 pages a month), a laser printer will save you money long term. Inkjet printers are better suited for low print volume scenarios.

Rather than shopping for a printer strictly based on price, take the information above and make an educated decision. Shop wisely so you don't get eaten up by the hidden, long term costs.