What Type of Printer Should I Buy?

It depends on:

• what type of documents you want to print
• how much you want to spend and when you want to spend it
• what other features you need from the machine

If the only thing I printed in color was photos and the rest of the time I was printing legal documents, I would buy two printers: photo printer (which they are almost giving away these days) and a laser printer. Don't let the term LaserJet fool you when you are buying a printer. The term LaserJet is used for laser printers usually, and not inkjets. The way to distinguish the difference is by the ink they use: toner cartridges for laser printers and ink cartridges for inkjet printers.

I'm not a real fan of inkjet printers: I have three new ones in the boxes at home. The cartridges don't last long in an inkjet printer and they are very pricey for a small amount of ink. They dry out unless you take them out and put them in a sealed bag.

Sometimes you need extra functions to your printer and need an all in one printer. If you need a scanner, copier, fax, and printer all in one you'll be buying an inkjet. If you only print occasionally and just need a simple, near laser quality printer you'll probably be best off with an inkjet printer.

If you don't want to take your photos to a lab to be printed professionally, then you need a photo inkjet printer.

If you have a large volume of material that needs to be printed, or if you need high-speed printing you'll be buying a laser printer.

Things that people don't usually think about when buying a printer:

• cost per page printed. Find this out.
• toner/ink cartridge price. It makes a big difference when you are talking about TCO (total cost of operation.
• longevity of the availability of toner/ink cartridges for the model that you are purchasing. Look at the manufacturer and find out how long they tend to support their product.

Why haven't I mentioned bubble jet printers? Because they are inkjet printers. The only difference is the technology of how the ink is released onto the paper. Epson has a trademark way which produces a better quality print than other manufacturers. Keep that in mind if you are leaning towards inkjet. If you do buy an inkjet, please be aware that the initial "ink cartridges" that come with the printer are not full cartridges; they are like trial cartridges.

Some printers nowadays are being manufactured with recycled plastic. Consider that in your purchase too! Emails were never intended to be printed; please be green when you print.

Hope this helps you buy the right printer for your needs!