Are you interested in buying a printer? This decision is not that easy to make as printing technology has advanced considerably in the last few years and there are numerous types of printing solutions that you can find nowadays. This can make it a tad difficult for people to make a wise investment decision when they want to buy a printer. If you are in the same boat, you can consider the following factors before you make a purchase:

The cost of hardware

The huge variety of printers available these days means that they have gotten quite affordable for everyone. You can find a 3 in 1 system, which can save you money because it comes with printing, scanning and photocopying functions. These solutions are deemed ideal for home use as well as for small businesses that don’t have to print anything in bulk. The occasional print can be handled reasonably well by these printers and you can expect them to last for a few years.

Laser printers are a better option if you have heavy duty printing needs. These printers don’t come with photocopying and scanning functions, but they print a lot better and faster. Moreover, they are also more durable and offer better quality as compared to ink jet printers. However, the price tag of laser printers is 3 to 4 times the cost of an ink jet printer.

Consider the printer supplies

This factor is even more important than the hardware cost. Printer supplies include ink cartridges and toners. The cost of ink depends on your printing needs as the more you print, the more ink will be needed. Therefore, you need to know the printing yield offered by the ink cartridges. Consider the cost of the cartridge and the number of sheets it can print. Obtain the printing yield by dividing the cost of the cartridge with the number of sheets.

Toner can be expensive, but you may be able to save money when you work out the printing yield. Ink cartridges tend to run out a lot faster, but toners don’t have to be replaced as frequently.

Networking and software features

Nowadays, businesses don’t just require printers for printing; it is possible to share printers on a network so the same machine can be used by multiple people at the same time. Printers have intelligent computer chips that communicate with computers and advanced software will show important information like printing yields and ink levels.

Printing quality

Nothing can be more frustrating than purchasing a printer, only to have it malfunctioning in a couple of months. It is a huge hassle to replace a printer. Moreover, if the ink cartridges continue to give you trouble, you may have to replace the printer completely. Thus, it is a good idea for you to go over customer reviews and feedback about the printing quality of the printer as well as its reliability.

Consider these factors and you will be able to make the right decision when buying a printer.

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