The reality is that, as with any other electronic device you buy, there are a number of considerations to ensure you get the most value for your money, or at least the most important features. Here are some things to consider when buying your own printer.
What kind of printing do you need?
The first thing to consider when buying a printer is the type of printing process it uses. The two most common types are laser cartridges and inkjet cartridges. Laser printers can be more expensive to buy, especially color printers, but with long-term use they can be cheaper because they are faster and more efficient. Inkjet printing is usually what people look for when their printing needs are more colorful, such as images, but the cartridges themselves are not that expensive.
What type of device is required for compatibility?
It is also essential to find printers that are compatible with your devices. Some printers do not work well with some devices. This information from the BillLentis.com site will help you narrow down your choices.
Devices such as chrome books, tablets, or cell phones may require different functionality than many traditional printers, so you should purchase new models that meet these needs.
What are the important connection functions?
In terms of compatibility features, connections are an important feature. There are several ways to connect printers to devices. These include USB, Wi-Fi, instant Wi-Fi, cloud printing, Ethernet and SD cards. SD, USB, WiFi are the most common, but direct printing over Wi-Fi and cloud printing are also becoming increasingly popular as people want more flexible and mobile printers.
If you need a desktop printer for multiple purposes, it’s best to find one that can be both wired and wireless so you have many features, but a home printer can be both one and the other.
How important is print quality to you?
The quality of the printing should also be considered, even if your printing is not very robust. If you’re printing almost exclusively text or written material, things like DPIs (dots per inch) aren’t very important, but they are if you’re printing photos, charts, tables, and other images.
The higher the DPI value, the more quality is available on each page. Print resolution is also becoming more sophisticated, so computers and printers now calibrate it automatically. Many new printer models can do this step for you.
Is multifunctional use required?
Not all printers are multifunctional, which may be of interest to you. The best option for your money may be an all-in-one printer with duplex scanning or printing, but many people only need one printer. Still, it doesn’t hurt to have a chance when you need to scan documents.
They are also becoming more affordable, with most models costing less than $250. If you need your printer for multiple purposes, you should choose one that has at least one scanning function, but it is also recommended to use faxing and duplexing.
What is your budget?
Speaking of cost: You have to consider your budget. As mentioned, home printers are becoming more affordable, as are portable printers for on-the-go use. They are often between $150 and $300 for printers that cover most needs. Also, if you factor in cartridges (about $20-70 depending on the type/color), you don’t have to spend a fortune to get what you need. For heavier desktop printers, you can expect to pay upwards of $500 for a full feature set, but for home use, that’s enough to meet all your needs.
Finding the right printer for your needs is not a difficult task, and as you can see, there is a lot to consider, but it doesn’t take long to consider everything you want in a printer.
Related Tags:
what features should you look for in a printer?, factors to consider when buying a printer pdf, things to consider when buying a printing machine, factors to consider when choosing a printer for desktop publishing, what four factors should you consider when evaluating printers, which type of printer would you select for a large scale organization, types of printer, laser printer
