What is the difference between an inkjet and a laser printer. Which is better to choose, laser or inkjet MFP?

Which printer is better, laser or inkjet? Many people ask this question. How to figure out what type of printing device you need?

First of all, you need to determine what you need the printer for. There aren't many options:

For home printing (printing documents, books, magazines, newspapers);
- for office work;
- for photo printing;
- for educational purposes (printing of abstracts, coursework, tests, laboratories, etc.)

Having decided on the main printing tasks, we have already done half the work. Now let's choose which device will best meet our expectations. To do this it is necessary to determine difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer.

Inkjet printing

Inkjet devices are also suitable for home use.

Inkjet technology successfully implements high quality and color printing resolution up to 9600x2400 (dpi), and this is the key to excellent image detail.

With devices of this type, you don’t have to worry too much about where to place the printing device. When comparing desktop models, equipment based on string technology is much more compact and does not take up much space on the desktop.

The cost of an inkjet device directly depends on the number of colors it contains. IN modern models The four primary colors most often used are Magenta, Cyan, Yellow and Key Color. This set is quite sufficient for printing documents.

There are six-, nine- and twelve-color printers for printing photographs. With their help you can achieve maximum color quality. Liquid ink mixes well with each other. This provides smooth transitions shades and accurate color reproduction.

From all of the above we will make list of advantages and disadvantages inkjet printing devices.

Advantages jetnikov:
- high resolution printing;
- reasonable price;
- excellent photo printing;
- small size.

Flaws inkjet printer:
- high cost of consumables;
- the risk of the print head drying out quickly when not in use.

Laser printing

Laser printing technology is widely applicable to text printout. You can use this type of printer both at home and in the office. The excellent quality/speed ratio makes laser devices indispensable in large and medium-sized workgroups.

Prints made using a laser are clear and resistant to light and water. The printing speed of laser devices is an order of magnitude higher than that of inkjet printers. In addition, laser multifunctional devices and the printers are quieter than inkjet printers.

Laser photographers don't take very good photographs. Color toner mixes quite poorly, which prevents you from obtaining bright and rich photos. At the same time, the color laser costs twice as much than a machine for monochrome prints.

The main disadvantages of this technology are increased energy consumption, high cost of the device and cartridges for it, and ozone generation. Lasers are quite large in size.

Let's highlight main pros and cons laser devices.

Advantages:
- high speed printing;
- resistance of prints to light and water;
- silent printing.

Flaws laser printers and MFPs:
- increased energy consumption;
- high cost;
- large dimensions;
- ozone generation during printing.

Inkjet and laser printers: comparison

For comparison we used three types of printing devices: inkjet, laser and inkjet + CISS. We assigned each technology the corresponding ratings on a 3-point scale.

Obviously, the most profitable purchase will be an inkjet printing device with CISS. Laser printers are clearly lagging behind in terms of price and photo printing. But if you only need to print monochrome text documents in very high quality, then a laser printer is what you need.

Are you looking for a printing device that can print both photos and text in good quality and at an affordable price? Struynik is best choice for you.

When it comes to color rendering, inkjet printing devices have no equal. True, the cost of consumables in this case is very high. But there is a way out. Easily compensates for the problem of high cost of consumables system continuous feed ink. With an inkjet you can print as text documents, and photographs.

For example, if you expect that in the future you will have to print documents in A3 format, you should not use a standard A4 printer - otherwise, sooner or later you will have to buy a second one. Even before purchasing a printer, you need to decide how much you are willing to spend on maintenance. of this device and consumables for it. And, of course, before buying a printer, it is important to clearly formulate your future tasks - that is, understand what exactly and how often you will print.

Of course, printers of standard A4 format (297 by 210 mm) are much more often purchased for home use. For offices, both A4 and A3 format printers are purchased - taking into account the possible need to print drawings or posters. To get the printer right, pay attention to its resolution. The resolution of printers for regular printing ranges from 300 to 600 dpi (dots per 1 square inch horizontally and vertically). To print high-quality photographs, you must choose a printer whose resolution is at least 1200 dpi.

You also need to decide in advance on the type of printer you plan to purchase. Inkjet printers are relatively inexpensive, the simplest of which require a three-color ink tank, but more often you can see inkjet printers with four ink tanks (they contain yellow, cyan, magenta and black ink). Unfortunately, inkjet printers are quite uneconomical - their ink tanks will need frequent refilling.

Laser printers are more expensive than their inkjet counterparts, but they come with much lower maintenance costs. Laser printers use a different principle - in them the ink sticks tightly to the paper when heated. Therefore, by purchasing a laser printer cartridge for almost the same price as a refilled inkjet printer cartridge, you can print with it ten times more sheets. Yes, and laser printer printing is higher. In addition, a laser printer prints text much faster than an inkjet printer. Usually, if there is no urgent need to print material in color, they buy a black and white laser printer - it costs much less than a color one.

Dot matrix printers that are considered obsolete can still be seen in some offices. Their capabilities are extremely limited - the printout can only be in black and white. The print quality is not very high, and this printer is slow and noisy. At the same time, this is the most printer option both in terms of purchase and maintenance. If you are buying a printer primarily to print photos on it, pay attention to special photo printers. They are quite expensive to maintain, as they require the use of special paper, which is relatively expensive.

In any case, when buying a printer, you should pay attention to both its characteristics and the reputation of the manufacturer. Most often, popular printers are purchased for both home and office brands Epson, Cannon or HP. Offices often purchase MFPs - multifunctional devices that are a combination of a printer, a copier and a scanner. Sometimes this allows you to save space and, but in most cases you still need to purchase these devices separately.

Sources:

• Which printer is better to choose and buy for home and office + Video in 2019

It's hard to imagine a modern office without a printer. Sometimes during the working day it is used almost without interruption. Therefore, it must be durable and economical. How to choose a printer that meets all your requirements?

Instructions

In order to do right choice, first you need to calculate the volume of products that you intend to print per month. If you print less than 1 thousand sheets per month, then a small laser printer is suitable for you. If you are counting on monthly printing of 5 thousand sheets, then in this case you will need a high-speed printer with the best technical performance. And if you intend to use your equipment to the maximum, then purchase the most powerful printer, which is designed for a large volume of work.

You also need to decide on the format of the documents you will print. Since A4 (297x210 mm) is considered one of the most common formats today, printers designed specifically for this format can most often be found in stores. But sometimes it is necessary to print sheets larger size. So, for A3 format (2 times larger than A4), you need a larger printer. Naturally, such a unit will cost more. Formats larger than A3 are classified as professional equipment and plotters are used for printing.

Next you need to figure out what you need. If you intend to print documents for internal use inside, then a printer with average print quality will suit you. For important documents, flyers, it is better to choose high-quality machines.

When choosing a printer, you must also consider the type of paper you will use. Use the appropriate paper type for each printer.

And the most important thing to pay attention to when choosing is whether you need a color or black and white printer. Color printing machines are more expensive, so if you don't use this feature, it's better to stick with black and white. But it is important that technical specifications such a car was appropriate.

Please note

A printer in the office is a necessary thing. It is also important to examine the computers in the office. Before choosing a printer, find out what interfaces they have. Standard printer for small workgroups. In addition, maximum and recommended loads are indicated for laser printers. You should not choose printers for office use entry level, with a low monthly load.

Useful advice

Therefore, this article is devoted to how to choose a printer (or how to choose an MFP). An inkjet printer with CISS is the best choice for office and home, in our opinion. Low cost of printing, high-quality images and photographs, the cost of printed text is lower than in laser printing, ease of use and refilling and health safety - all this makes the inkjet printer number one when choosing a printing assistant.

Manufacturers of office equipment offer a wide selection of so-called multifunctional devices. These devices can perform the functions of a printer, scanner and copier. They take up less space than three separate devices, have a lower price, and make working with information easier and faster.

Instructions

Start choosing a multifunction device (MFP) by determining your needs. Typically, an MFP is built on the basis of one of the functions, that is, MFP copiers, MFP scanners and MFP printers can be distinguished. You should choose the class of MFP whose leading function will be most used by you.

Before purchasing, you should have a rough idea of ​​what information you will be printing and copying on this device. Based on this, you can decide whether you need full-color printing, what size sheets you will use, and how many pages per month you will print and copy.

Some MFPs are equipped with post-printing tools; if you need to stitch, staple or roll the resulting sheets, this will be much easier with such devices.

The cost of an MFP is not only the price indicated on the price tag in the store; it is worth adding to it the cost of servicing the device. Calculate the cost of printing or copying one page on your MFP, then multiply it by the estimated number of pages per month. Decide whether this price for monthly service suits you.

Some MFPs are very difficult to use, these are real machines with a control panel, they are more productive and automated, but you can’t figure them out right away, you may have to hire a special MFP operator for them. This is reasonable if the volume of work on the MFP is large and constant, but for a simple office printer-scanner-copier, on which some documents are occasionally printed, and especially for a home MFP, such complexity is not needed. You can choose a very simple device with an intuitive interface.

MFPs may have additional functions- fax, ability to send documents by email, wireless MFPs. You need to decide if these features are needed.

When buying a laser printer for the office, you should be guided by its performance and functionality; for a home user, dealing with a device that is too “sophisticated” will be problematic. Therefore, when choosing equipment, you need to focus not only on signs of good quality, but also on a set of options that may be useful in your work.

Instructions

The instructions for each laser printer should indicate the limits of the recommended and maximum permissible daily and monthly load, that is, how many pages it can print without damaging its mechanism. The maximum that household devices are capable of ranges from 7 to 15 thousand sheets per month, but if the user wants his device to last longer, he should limit himself to just one thousand. Divided by thirty days, you can get a figure of 33 pages per day - this is quite enough for the average consumer. For intense office work, it is necessary to buy a more productive laser printer, since when duplicating documents, the photoconductor or other mechanics of a household printer may break.

The future clarity of color and text reproduction can be determined by paying attention to such a parameter as resolution. For inexpensive devices it is 600 dpi, that is, dots per inch. This is enough for ordinary text, but companies and individual users who value quality even in the smallest details choose laser printers with a resolution of 1200 dots, although such a unit will cost much more. Organizations that need office equipment to print not only A4 documents, but also drawings, should buy an A3 machine. It will be convenient to print graphs, diagrams and large tables.

The output of the very first sheet always occurs with a slight delay. This is due to the fact that the mechanism needs to “warm up”. The time of this delay is also important parameter, after all, not everyone will agree to wait for their document for as long as 15 seconds, especially in the eternal office rush. Some manufacturers have reduced this period to 7-8 seconds. Speed ​​is also reflected in the number of pages printed per minute. Although for many, how many there will be - 12 or 15 - is not important. High speed is ensured by the best processor, which quickly processes the amount of information received by it and sends it for printing.

You should consider in advance what exactly will appear on white pages: plain text, graphics or “heavy” PDF pictures. The required amount of memory of the future device depends on this. For ordinary texts, 8 MB is enough, however, users who plan to print PDF files should take care of purchasing more “smart” equipment, which contains either an additional slot for memory expansion or a built-in algorithm for compressing incoming information. It is also worth paying attention to operating system, which is supported by a laser printer, because some of them are released for one specific OS.

Video on the topic

Electronics store shelves are filled with printers various types and stamps. Among all this variety, you need to choose the one that best suits the needs of a particular user.

Types and purposes of printers

First of all, you need to understand what types of printers there are. They are all divisible by 2 large groups: inkjet and laser. Inkjet printers use liquid ink cartridges to print. The advantages of such printers include the inexpensive cost of the devices themselves and the availability of consumables. However, a caveat must be made here - the cost of spare parts is really inexpensive, but the price of cartridges can hit any pocket. Plus, with active use, they don’t last long. Therefore, if you intend to print often and a lot, this is not your choice. But if we are talking about printing several pages once a week, printing out school reports, etc., the family will have enough.

Laser printers are based on printing technology using dry ink that settles on in the right places on a sheet. This occurs due to the special composition of the ink, which contains special electromagnetic inclusions that react during printing to certain areas of the paper. The cost of laser printers is much higher than inkjet printers, but this is compensated for a large number documents that such a printer can do on one cartridge. The resource is a maximum of 500-700 pages of A4 format, and laser - 5000-10000 pages. That's why this printer is an ideal choice for those who have large piles of documents, and frequently.

Multifunction devices

The intermediate link not only among printers, but also office equipment in general are the so-called MFPs. These devices include 3 office tools in one: printer, scanner, copier. Optionally, they may include: card reader, photo printer. They can also be either laser or inkjet.

It makes sense to buy an MFP if a person is faced with the task of providing a small document flow. Here you can scan a seal, scan a document, and make copies of papers. Then it makes sense to purchase a laser MFP, because they print a lot and often in the office. On the other hand, a similar device can be bought for home. After all, an MFP can help both in business and in family leisure - printing photographs, for example. But there is a fly in the ointment here - if the MFP breaks, it can be expensive.

Choosing a printer and MFP brand

Among the mass of office equipment manufacturers, several brands can be distinguished. Firstly, this is Hewlett Packard, which is a leader in printer quality and quality warranty service. At the same time, office equipment under this brand is covered by a three-year warranty. It is also worth noting that it was this company that patented the technology that prevents ink from drying out in inkjet cartridges.

Another prominent printer manufacturer is Xerox, thanks to which the word “photocopy” came into use. This is the manufacturer of the laser printer. And the cost of devices under this brand is quite affordable.

Not from these two giants and such famous brands as Samsung, Canon, Brother, Lexmark and many others. Therefore, it will not be difficult for the consumer to choose the printer that best suits him according to the parameters that interest him.

The printer is designed to output digital information onto paper or other physical media, for example, film, fabric, etc. Printers can be inkjet, sublimation or laser.

An inkjet printer is much simpler. The ink is applied by the print head to a sheet of paper. The advantages of an inkjet printer include the low cost of the device, good image quality, and the ability to replace one cartridge without replacing others. The disadvantages of an inkjet printer include low printing speed and high cost of cartridges.

Multifunction devices simultaneously perform the functions of a printer, scanner, copier and fax. Such devices can also be based on laser or inkjet printing. Their parameters also include the resolution of the scanning device.

The sublimation printer is designed to print photos of the highest quality. It is characterized by the high cost of printing sets and is not suitable for printing texts.

Print resolution is the main parameter that you need to pay attention to when choosing a printer. This indicator is determined by the DPI value. The more given value, the higher quality the printed images will be. Printing speed is also important, especially if the printer is chosen for the office or if you need to print a lot and often.

As additional parameters The presence of a display may be considered in cases where the device is not connected to a computer, and the image is printed from a flash drive. Bluetooth availability and Wi-Fi will be useful for those who want to print photos from their phone or smartphone. There is also AirPrint technology, which allows you to print an image without installing additional software. This technology supports laser and inkjet printers.

First, think about why you need a device such as a 3D printer. If you just want to try creating 3D models (keychains, small toys, souvenirs) and give your children the opportunity to try this hobby, then the cheapest 3D printer or 3D pen will definitely be your choice. Otherwise, you should consider a more expensive purchase that will ensure acceptable casting accuracy.

Printer accuracy and model printing time

Obviously, the higher the accuracy of printing models (indicated in nanometers), the higher the quality of the printed item. But at the same time, the price of the device is also increasing. Here you need to find a balance between price and this characteristic, so as not to overpay, but at the same time get a printer that will delight you with the results of its work.

Remember also that the higher the accuracy, the slower the 3D model will be produced.

Plastic

Another important criterion for choosing a 3D printer is the material used to create models. Thus, the purpose of purchasing a printer will also be determined by the need to select the plastic with which the device works. If you want to experiment with materials, buy a printer that can print with different plastics (note that printing with ABS plastic requires a heated bed, which not every 3D printer model has, even if it is stated that it is universal).

If you are already involved in modeling and you need a 3D printer for your hobby, you need to remember about the features of manual processing of 3D models after production.

It could also be interesting model printer, which makes it possible to print on two plastics simultaneously (it can be called two-color printing). Such printers make it possible to create more complex and interesting models.

Working chamber size

The relationship between the size of the working chamber and the price of a 3D printer is direct. But do you need a big one? working chamber, if you just want to master 3D printing or make small souvenirs for yourself and friends? By the way, many models can be printed in parts and then glued together.

Software

The advantage of a printer for home use will be the ease of connecting and controlling the printer using special software.

Guarantee

Well, everything is obvious here - the longer the warranty period, the better.

Hello.

I don’t think I will open America by saying that a printer is an extremely useful thing. Moreover, not only for students (who simply need it to print coursework, reports, diplomas, etc.), but also for other users.

Nowadays you can find various types of printers on sale, the price of which can differ tens of times. This is probably why there are a lot of questions regarding the printer. In this short reference article, I will look at the most popular questions about printers that I get asked (the information will be useful for those who are choosing new printer for home). So…

The article has omitted some technical terms and points in order to make it understandable and readable for a wide range of users. Disassembled only current issues users that almost everyone encounters when searching for a printer...

1) Types of printers (inkjet, laser, matrix)

Most questions come about this. True, users do not ask the question “types of printers”, but “which printer is better: inkjet or laser?” (for example).

In my opinion, the easiest way to show the pros and cons of each type of printer is in the form of a plate: it turns out very clearly.

My conclusions:

1. If you are buying a printer for printing photos, it is better to choose a regular inkjet printer (preferably a model that can later be installed with a continuous supply of ink - important for those who will print a lot of photos). An inkjet printer is also suitable for those who occasionally print small documents: abstracts, reports, etc.
2. A laser printer is, in principle, a universal machine. Suitable for all users, except those who plan to print high-quality color pictures. A color laser printer is inferior in photo quality (today) to an inkjet printer. The price of the printer and cartridge (including its refill) is more expensive, but in general, if you make a full calculation, the cost of printing will be cheaper than with an inkjet printer.
3. Buying a color laser printer for the home, in my opinion, is not entirely justified (at least until the price drops...).

Important point. Regardless of what type of printer you choose, I would also check one detail with the same store: how much does a new cartridge cost for this printer and how much does it cost to refill it (refillability). Because the joy of the purchase may disappear after the ink runs out - many users will be very surprised to learn that some printer cartridges cost as much as the printer itself!

2) How to connect the printer. Connection interfaces

The vast majority of printers that can be found on sale support the USB standard. As a rule, there are no connection problems, except for one subtlety...

I don’t know why, but often manufacturers do not include a cable with the printer to connect it to the computer. Sellers usually remind you of this, but not always. Many novice users (who are encountering this for the first time) have to run to the store twice: once to get a printer, the second to get a connection cable. Be sure to check the package when purchasing!

Ethernet

If you plan to print to the printer from multiple computers in local network- perhaps you should opt for a printer that supports an Ethernet interface. Although, of course, this option is rarely chosen for home use, more It’s important to get a printer with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth support.

The LPT interface is now becoming less and less common (it used to be a standard (very popular interface)). By the way, many PCs are still equipped with this port to be able to connect such printers. There is no point in looking for such a printer for your home these days!

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Printers in more expensive price categories are often equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. And I have to tell you - the thing is extremely convenient! Imagine walking around your apartment with a laptop, working on a report - then you press the print button and the document is sent to the printer and printed out in a moment. In general, this add-on. The option in the printer will save you from unnecessary wires in the apartment (although it takes longer for the document to be transferred to the printer - but in general, the difference is not so significant, especially if you are printing text information).

3) MFP - is it worth choosing a multifunctional device?

Recently, MFPs have been in demand on the market: devices that combine a printer and a scanner (+ fax, sometimes also a telephone). These devices are extremely convenient for photocopies - you put a sheet of paper and press one button - the copy is ready. As for the rest, I personally don’t see any big advantages (having a separate printer and scanner - you can remove the second one altogether and take it out whenever you need to scan something).

In addition, any normal camera is capable of taking excellent photos of books, magazines, etc. - that is, practically replacing a scanner.

HP MFP: scanner and printer complete with automatic sheet feeder

MFP advantages:

Multi-functionality;

Cheaper than buying each device separately;

Quick photocopy;

As a rule, there is an auto-feed: imagine how much easier this will be if you are copying 100 sheets. With automatic feeding: loaded the sheets into the tray, pressed the button and went to drink tea. Without it, each sheet would have to be turned over and placed on the scanner manually...

Disadvantages of MFPs:

Bulky (relative to a conventional printer);

If the MFP breaks, you will lose both the printer and scanner (and other devices) at once.

4) Which brand should I choose: Epson, Canon, HP...?

There are a lot of questions about the brand. But here it is impossible to answer in monosyllables. Firstly, I would not look at a specific manufacturer - the main thing is that it is a well-known manufacturer of copiers. Secondly, it is much more important to look at the technical characteristics of the device and reviews of real users of such a device (in the age of the Internet - this is easy!). It’s even better, of course, if you are recommended by a friend who has several printers at work and sees the work of each one with his own eyes...

Naming a specific model is even more difficult: by the time you read the article, this printer may no longer be on sale...

That's all for me. I will be grateful for additions and constructive comments. All the best :)

In this article we will tell you which printer is best to buy for home use. Nowadays, the choice of printers is very large, but when purchasing, you need to take into account several factors, which we will talk about today.

Inkjet printer and laser. Their differences.

Tips for choosing a printer.

Firstly, at home you often need a printer rather than a scanner and copier.

Secondly, if one of the component devices breaks down, you need to take it for repairs, and you will be completely deprived of a home assistant. And the cost of such a complex is much more expensive than the printer itself.

Inkjet printer.

We do not advise you to purchase an inkjet printer for your home, even though it is the cheapest. Its main problem is that it uses ink for printing. And if the printer is rarely used, then the cartridge dries out and must be replaced. And its cost is quite decent - approximately half the cost of the printer. Yes, and charging an inkjet cartridge is problematic (and sometimes impossible) and quite expensive.

Therefore, it is necessary to print on it at least once a month. In addition, text on printed sheets will blur when exposed to moisture, just like any text written in ink.

If you plan to print photos at home constantly and not periodically, then you can purchase an inkjet printer. The cost of one print on an inkjet printer reaches $0.25, which makes printing at home expensive and impractical. Print photos in service center It will cost you less and without unnecessary problems.

Laser printer.

For home use, we recommend purchasing a black and white laser printer. He uses a special powder for printing, so the printed pages are not afraid of moisture. The cost of such a printer is slightly more expensive than an inkjet one, but it is indispensable for use at home. The cartridge is always in working order and does not require constant use. The laser printer is always ready to use, despite long periods of inactivity. The printing speed is several times higher than that of an inkjet printer.

When purchasing, you just need to choose a laser printer with an unchip cartridge. The cartridge, which contains a CHIP, cannot be refilled. After it prints a certain number of pages, you need to throw it away and buy a new one. And it costs several times more than refilling an unchiped cartridge.

There is no point in buying a color laser printer for your home. It's quite expensive. And you won’t print out paid utility bills in color!

A color laser printer, like an inkjet printer, is purchased by those who professionally do color printing or photography at home. For the average citizen at home, a black and white laser printer is quite enough.

The best printer for home.

We advise you to purchase one of the following printer models from well-known manufacturers Cannon 6020,6030 and HP 1100, 1102. These are black and white laser printers that have almost the same design, are reliable and easy to use. They have interchangeable and non-chip cartridges (there is the possibility of refilling), as well as excellent reviews of use. There are several similar models from other manufacturers, but based on own experience, we do not advise you to buy them.

When purchasing, pay attention to the release date of the printer and the country where it was manufactured. This information is located on the back of the printer.

The process of unpacking and installing the HP 1102 printer.

1. First he removes the orange ribbons.

2. We take out the cartridge and remove the lock from it.

3. We pull out the pin.

4 . Reinstall the printer cartridge and close the top cover.

5 . We insert into the printer (very important - we insert only into the printer) a cord for connecting to the computer (it is not included in the kit, you must buy it separately). During the driver installation process, the program will prompt you to connect the printer to your computer. Connect the power cord.

6. After connecting the printer to the power supply, insert the driver disk and follow the instructions. If the disk is missing, you can download drivers from the manufacturer's official website.

7 . After installation, load the printer with paper and print a test page.

For detailed installation, watch our video. We hope you like our choice.

Video. The best printer for home.