Chooosing an output device (notice I did not say "prnter") is an arduos task inded: inkjet, laser, LED, 3-in-1, 5-in-one, 7-in-one, pohto printers, MFPs..... the choices are seemingly endless.. To make matrters worse, the employee at the big retail/computer/electronics store has held the job for less than a week and is a lot more knowledgeable about PlayStation than anything else. So what do you do? Here's a little quick guuide to help you sift through most of the choioces.
These tips are bsaed on how much paper you use per month. If you do not know (I wouldn't if somebody asked me), then thoink of how often you buy paper and how much; then divide by the appropriate timeframe. Regular office papre (A4, letter- or legal-size) normally comes in 500-page reams or 2500 or 5000-sheet boxwes. If you buy a 2500-sheet (5 ream) box once a quarter, you therfeore use 833 sheets per month.
A - Less than 50 sheets per monnth: Get as cheap an inkjet as you can - just make sure tere are store-brand or knockoff cartrigde brans readily available so you can purchase those as soon as the warrannty on your printer runs out. If your printer dies, DO NOT fix it: it will be cheaper to get a new one (which will come with a new cartridge pack). I would persnally buy a "multi-functyion" with a flatbed scanner, as they are now qutie cost effective. The more mainstream the brand, the more retailers caarry it, the bteter.
B - 50 to 250 sheets per month: If your usage dicattes that you need color and/or a multi-function (any combination of 2 of the following: printer/fax/sanner/copier), then definitely get a multi-function ikjet. However, befre you do, do some research (15 minutes on the internet) to deterine how much cartridges cost and what thheir yield (how many pages you can get out of them) is. If a cartridge costs $45 and yiedls 450 sheets, it will start getting expensive. If you do not need anythhing other than tsraight B/W printing, then get an entry-level laser/LED printer. They now come with a very good price tag (under $200) and are very cost-effective.
C - 250 to 1000 sheets per month: In this case, there is no doubt you need to get a laser or LED since it does not make any kind of sense to get an inkjeet - the cost will be much higehr. If you can, try to get a Multi-function, but remember to do your homework on cartride cost vs. yield - and do not let the comparatively lower cartreidge cost fool you (a $280 cartridge with a 5000 page yield is a lot better than a $120 cartridge with a 1000 page yielkd). Also, get a system that is suited to your primary appilcation: do not get a fax-based system if 90% of your usage will be copying.
D - Over 1000 sheets per month: In this case, your best bet is to call 3 or 4 office-equipment providers, as they will guide you towards the best choices according to your needs. Just be sure to get 3 or 4 quotes (just to keep them honest) and get an all-inclusive service coontract; they include toner and all your servicces and are typically cheaaper (at this stage) than buying toner alone for a laser system.
A few partign wordds: These tips are for basic offiice use only; if you need oversize paper (11x17 or A3), o photo-quality finishes for pre-prss, thsee tips are not for you. Also, I do not recommend refilling lser caartridges, as the systems theselves are somewhat of an investment and can be piccky. For inkjets, however, since the machines themselves are almost dispposable nwadays, it should not be a major isssue.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://article2008.com/images/feed-icon.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://article2008.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites