How to Select the Best Printer for your needs
By: Kevin Onyango
There are a couple of things you need to first understand before you purchase a printer.
They include;
cases All-In-Ones that have fax are more
expensive.
1. Whether it is LaserJet or
Inkjet.
Both LaserJet and Inkjet printers have
advantages and disadvantages.
3. Print or Scan Quality.
Various aspects of print and scan qualities
can be compared between different models.
Print resolution is usually measured in
dots per inch (DPI). The higher the number
of dots per inch the better the printer.
Inkjet printers are cheaper to buy than
LaserJet printers. They also have very good
quality print outs. However, the cost of
maintaining an Inkjet printer is very high.
Also, Inkjet printers make a lot of noise
while printing and are slower than LaserJet
printers.
Inexpensive inkjet models usually generate
black-only prints at least as high as
600x600 DPI. Color models, meanwhile
usually start as high as 4800x1200. Laser
jets,
meanwhile,
typically
produce
1200x1200 DPI or better black-only prints
and 1200x600 or better color prints.
LaserJet printers are expensive when
buying but very cheap to maintain. Their
print quality is very high and they make
less noise when printing. They print faster
than Inkjet printers.
Scan quality is measured using both bitrate and DPI measurements. If scanning is
an important feature, seek an all-in-one
device that offers optical scan resolutions
of at least 600x1200 DPI and at least a 24Bit scan rate. Again, higher numbers are
better (a scanner that boasts 36- or 48-bit
technology will produce even higher-quality
scans).
2. All-In-One or Print-only.
The next thing you need to consider is
whether you just want a print-only device
or you need to scan copy fax and print.
Print-only printers are cheaper than All-InOne printers. However, they have limited
functionality.
On the other hand, All-In-One printers
have scanners, copiers and printers all put
in one device. They are a little bit more
expensive but very handy especially in an
office setting. All-In-One printers also save
space as they contain three different
devices in one.
Be sure to consider the differences between
an inline scanner, in which 8.5-inch x 11inch pages are easily scanned by passing
them through a sheet feeder, and a flat-bed
scanner, in which odd-size documents can
be easily scanned just by placing them on
the glass. In environments where multiple
page documents will frequently be
scanned, ensure you select a model that
boasts an automatic feed tray.
Some All-In-One printers have fax. When
getting an All-In-One, always confirm if it
has fax as not all of them have fax. In most
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