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Choosing a new printer: what you need to know

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Choosing a new printer: what you need to know

Before investing your hard-earned money in a new printer, there are a few things to consider carefully. How will your family use this printer? Do you need to print in color? Do you have a shutter in your family who loves to print digital photos? Will you need to scan and back up important documents on your computer? After you've looked at all the possible uses, only then can you start tailoring the right printer for your needs. You should also consider the cost of consumable printer cartridges. What seems like a bargain initially may turn out to be your worst nightmare. You will also need to think about which technology best suits your budget.

The two most common types of printing technologies are inkjet and laser. However, you will find several different variations of printers within each technology, including multifunction printers, photo printers, and small portable or mobile printers. This guide will give you a little more information to help you select the right printer for the job.

Inkjet printers

Inkjet printers are the most versatile. They are capable of producing sharp text documents or rich photos. Inkjet printers work by forcing drops of ink onto the paper. The process is usually slower than that of a laser printer. Inkjet printers are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased based on the print quality and features of the printer. Despite the low initial cost of the printer, you will often find that the cost of replacing ink cartridges is almost equal to the initial purchase price of the machine.

Laser printers

Laser printers have been around since the mid-1980s. They are extremely popular with business users because they print fast, perform excellently, and cost very little when calculating cost per printed page. Laser printers work like photocopiers that use toner and a heated roller to fuse the toner onto the paper. Most laser printers print black only and work best for grayscale documents and images. Color lasers used to be incredibly expensive for the home user, but their price has dropped dramatically with various models available. These lower-cost color lasers are a real alternative to color inkjet printers.

All-in-one or multifunction printers

All-in-one printers are a smart choice for the small business owner or even a home user because they offer so many features. Your all-in-one can print, copy, scan, or even fax documents. They come in laser and inkjet models, but their price can rise quickly depending on the technology of the printer and the features included. However, no matter the cost, MFPs are incredibly capable and you can save money by combining 4 machines into one. It also saves space on your desk!

Dedicated Photo Printers

If you print a lot of images, you may want to buy a printer specifically for that purpose. Most photo printers transfer the color tint in a continuous tone from a tape to the paper, followed by a clear protective layer. The quality of the photo is equivalent to professional development. Inkjet photo printers are also available. These printers can accept memory cards and other storage cards or take photos directly from your digital camera. A snapshot printer is a small printer; it cannot take full-size sheets of paper and prints at 4x6 or smaller. They typically cost at least $ 200, and ink and photo paper can be expensive, but they're a good investment if you print a lot of photos.

Mobile printers

If you need to print on the go, there are some mobile or portable printers available. These printers allow you to easily print in cars, customer offices, or even airports. They often have optional Bluetooth and WiFi adapters. You can print to them from a variety of mobile devices, including your laptop, personal digital assistant, your digital camera, or even your ender 3. They may not be the best option for a home user, but if you need a printing solution that takes you away from your office, these mobile printers should be suitable.

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