Laser Printer or Inkjet Printer?

Should I buy an inkjet or a laser printer?

The short answer is that inkjet printers have a lower initial purchase cost but cost more to run because the ink is more expensive when measured on a per page basis. Laser printers cost more but their running costs are lower and they have a better print quality because in general they have a higher resolution (expressed in dots per inch - dpi). When you throw color laser printers into the mix, it becomes a bit more complicated but still affordable.

Printers should be selected based on the type and volume of tasks. For instance, laser printers are best for fast text printing. Inkjets are required if you want to print photo-quality digital pictures. There are also multifunction inkjets that permit you to print, scan, and copy all on one machine.

Inkjets are great for home use and for photo printing. Lasers are good for high-volume applications, like offices, or for applications that need high print quality.  The cost of the toner used in a color laser printer is somewhat offset by the high cost of ink cartridges and the significantly higher yield in quantity of pages that comes with a color laser printer.

Before you buy a printer, check the costs for paper and ink or toner. Also, check to see if supplies can be purchased generally or if you need to buy from a specific vendor. These outlays will, over time, exceed the initial cost of the printer. Look for high-quality output and low per-page costs.

Before making your decision give some thought and consideration into what type and how much of that type of printing you plan on doing. Inkjet printers are a little cheaper than laser printers, and are great for printing color photos. The vast majority of home users end up purchasing an inkjet printer, usually because of the cost of the machine and the versatility it provides. With an inkjet you can print documents, photos, fabric transfers, etc.  Most people will warn though that what you spend on ink cartridges will rapidly add up to exceed the initial cost of the printer, and they will be correct. Prices have changed and the gap in cost between laser toner has narrowed when you do a comparison of yield versus cost of media.

Color laser printers will cost you a little more up front (Albeit, not as must as they would have a year ago.) but they do print a lot faster than inkjet printers. Their cartridges hold a lot of toner powder, so you will get a lot more pages of print. Typically 4,000+ pages with a color laser toner cartridge (high yield) as compared to 300-400 for an inkjet cartridge. Toners do text printing very well, and this is still where their strength is. The last few years have seen the introduction of the color laser printers.

There are also multifunction inkjets as well as multifunction laser printers that permit you to print, scan, and copy all on one machine. Again, before you buy a printer, check the costs for paper and ink or toner.

If you print a lot of business documents, letters, and other text files, a monochrome laser printer is likely your best bet. These devices are fast and inexpensive, and produce good-looking documents for .oo4 cents per page.  Put a lot of research into your selection because a printer lasts a long time.  I am using a monochrome HP laser printer that I purchased 9 years ago and it is still going strong.  I would be tempted to buy a color laser printer were I shopping for a new printer at this time.