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Without warning, my printer died. One minute it was happily churning out documents and the next a red blinking light indicating trouble could not be extinguished. Looking back, I was surprised that it had lasted for more than eight years (average lifespan for an inkjet is three to five years).
Back in the buying mode and all the wiser, I was still overwhelmed by the vast array of printer choices. Research proved challenging. Cnet.com, my usual first stop, surprisingly offered little helpful information on laser printers and recommended dated models. Searching on Google was tricky because what often pops up is a review or buying guide that is actually written by the manufacturer. Time, patience, and perseverance brought results. To spare you the frustration I suffered, I will share what I learned.
The most important factor when purchasing a printer is defining your needs. This may sound obvious, but when it comes to printers, requirements are often in conflict. If you’re a writer and a photo enthusiast, one printer will not be satisfactory. Inkjet printers are great for photographs, but they are sloppy with text because the ink bleeds (runs) into the paper. The person who generates a lot of documents should turn to a laser printer.
Both inkjet printers and laser printers can be categorized by price. The inexpensive models (less than $100) offer basic printing features for photo and text. All in Ones (AIO) offer scanning, copying, and faxing and can be purchased for under $150. The expensive inkjet models offer photocentric features such as PicBridge and memory card slots that turn them into virtual kiosks.
When shopping, do not let a low price fool you. Manufacturers make their profits from ink, not the machines. Ink is expensive; read the specs and a quick tally will identify the hidden extra costs. I would also stay away from extended warranties. Printers are relatively inexpensive in general, and usually carry a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. After that, it is usually cheaper to buy an updated model.
When it comes to laser jets, the choices become more complicated because resolution affects pricing more than with an inkjet printer. Two important specifications with laser jet printers are Operating System (OS) and Resolution. If you are using a Mac or are considering switching (to a Mac), then you will want a printer with a Postscript OS, which is more expensive but necessary.
PC users should purchase a laser printer with the new PCL-5e OS, which enables the standard 600 dpi. This is a good printer for text and okay for photos. If you want better laser quality photos, spend more money and purchase a unit with 2400 dpi.
While at least 4800 dpi for an inkjet printer is ideal and reasonably priced ($200), the cost of this same quality for a color laser printer usually starts at $1,000.
So what should you do if, like me, you print documents and photographs? Well, you will have to buy more than one printer, one for photography, the other for text. With back to school sale prices popping up now, August is a good time to start looking.
on Aug 5, 2008