2. What are my options?
3. How do I sort out the specs?
5. What will it really cost me?
What are my options?
Most buyers start with a general notion of the type of printer they'll need. The reason is that different printing technologies are suited for different printing needs and budgets. Find out more here about the basic types of printers and their pros and cons.
Printer options:
Personal laser
Though the technology has been around for years (HP introduced its first LaserJet in 1984), laser printers are still going strong because they combine fast print speeds, sharp output, and a low cost per page. Like copiers, laser printers use a photographic drum to attract electrically charged toner and transfer it to paper, where the image is fused using a heated roller.
The vast majority of laser printers are monochrome (black and white), and they are best-suited for printing text and simple graphics. They start around AU$400. Until recently colour laser printers were too expensive for individuals or small businesses, but there are now several models for less than AU$500, and these are viable alternatives to colour inkjets for printing flyers, spreadsheets, and brochures. More manufacturers also offer networking -- either built-in or as an add-on -- on personal lasers, making them a good fit for homes with multiple users and PCs.
Interface:
USB, parallel, and RJ-45 (Ethernet)
Resolution:
600x600 dots per inch (dpi) and up
Rated speed:
10 to 20 pages per minute (ppm)
Memory:
32MB or more
Paper capacity:
150 to 250 sheets standard input tray
Though the technology has been around for years (HP introduced its first LaserJet in 1984), laser printers are still going strong because they combine fast print speeds, sharp output, and a low cost per page. Like copiers, laser printers use a photographic drum to attract electrically charged toner and transfer it to paper, where the image is fused using a heated roller.
The vast majority of laser printers are monochrome (black and white), and they are best-suited for printing text and simple graphics. They start around AU$400. Until recently colour laser printers were too expensive for individuals or small businesses, but there are now several models for less than AU$500, and these are viable alternatives to colour inkjets for printing flyers, spreadsheets, and brochures. More manufacturers also offer networking -- either built-in or as an add-on -- on personal lasers, making them a good fit for homes with multiple users and PCs.
Key features:
Workgroup laser
As the name implies, workgroup laser printers are designed for small offices or small teams within larger companies. The basic technology is the same, but these are more than beefed-up personal lasers with features tailored specifically for multiple users. First, they support printing over networks either standard or as an option. Second, they offer more-advanced handling capabilities, including larger input and output trays, and some offer duplex (double-sided) printing, sorting, and stapling. Finally, they have faster processors and more memory so that they can manage multiple jobs and print faster. Like personal lasers, the vast majority of workgroup lasers are monochrome -- designed for printing text and simple graphics -- and they start at around AU$700.
Interface:
USB, parallel, and RJ-45 (Ethernet)
Resolution:
600x600 or 1,200x1,200 dots per inch (dpi)
Rated speed:
More than 20 pages per minute (ppm)
Memory:
64MB or more
Paper capacity:
250 sheets or more standard input tray
As the name implies, workgroup laser printers are designed for small offices or small teams within larger companies. The basic technology is the same, but these are more than beefed-up personal lasers with features tailored specifically for multiple users. First, they support printing over networks either standard or as an option. Second, they offer more-advanced handling capabilities, including larger input and output trays, and some offer duplex (double-sided) printing, sorting, and stapling. Finally, they have faster processors and more memory so that they can manage multiple jobs and print faster. Like personal lasers, the vast majority of workgroup lasers are monochrome -- designed for printing text and simple graphics -- and they start at around AU$700.
Key features:
Inkjet
Inkjet printers have come a long way in the last 10 years. Today's versatile inkjets can produce both crisp text and rich photo prints. Most manufacturers offer both general-purpose and photo inkjet printers, which shouldn't be confused with snapshot or photo printers designed for only 4x6 or smaller prints. Inkjets print an image by applying a precisely controlled stream of tiny ink droplets from one or more cartridges to a variety of paper types. Each manufacturer uses slightly different techniques, and the size of the droplets and the way they are applied to the paper determine the image quality. Unfortunately, the process is relatively slow compared to that of laser printing -- and the ink cartridges and the special papers can be costly -- so inkjets are best suited for home users and small businesses with light printing needs, or those who need to produce high-quality graphics and photos. Inkjet printers range in price from less than AU$800 to as much as AU$1000, depending on features, image quality, and paper-handling capabilities.
Interface:
USB, parallel, Ethernet
Resolution:
Varies widely by manufacturer and model
Rated speed:
5 to 20 pages per minute (ppm)
Memory:
Measured in KB
Paper capacity:
100 sheets or more standard input tray
Inkjet printers have come a long way in the last 10 years. Today's versatile inkjets can produce both crisp text and rich photo prints. Most manufacturers offer both general-purpose and photo inkjet printers, which shouldn't be confused with snapshot or photo printers designed for only 4x6 or smaller prints. Inkjets print an image by applying a precisely controlled stream of tiny ink droplets from one or more cartridges to a variety of paper types. Each manufacturer uses slightly different techniques, and the size of the droplets and the way they are applied to the paper determine the image quality. Unfortunately, the process is relatively slow compared to that of laser printing -- and the ink cartridges and the special papers can be costly -- so inkjets are best suited for home users and small businesses with light printing needs, or those who need to produce high-quality graphics and photos. Inkjet printers range in price from less than AU$800 to as much as AU$1000, depending on features, image quality, and paper-handling capabilities.
Key features:
Multifunction/All-in-One
Multifunction printers (MFPs) or All-in-Ones (AIOs) are the Swiss Army knives of printers. They combine copier, scanner, printer, and, in some models, fax capabilities in one unit, making them perfect for home offices and small businesses. MFPs are available with either laser printers for speedy text and occasional graphics, or inkjet printers for vibrant photos. The best models include flatbed scanners and auto document feeders for walk-up scanning, faxing, and copying of multipage documents. MFPs start at around AU$200 for entry-level inkjets, but the price ranges vastly depending on printer technology and feature set.
Interface:
USB and Ethernet
Resolution:
Depends on printer technology
Rated speed:
Depends on printer technology
Memory:
32MB and up
Paper capacity:
100 sheets or more standard input tray
Multifunction printers (MFPs) or All-in-Ones (AIOs) are the Swiss Army knives of printers. They combine copier, scanner, printer, and, in some models, fax capabilities in one unit, making them perfect for home offices and small businesses. MFPs are available with either laser printers for speedy text and occasional graphics, or inkjet printers for vibrant photos. The best models include flatbed scanners and auto document feeders for walk-up scanning, faxing, and copying of multipage documents. MFPs start at around AU$200 for entry-level inkjets, but the price ranges vastly depending on printer technology and feature set.
Key features:
Photo/snapshot
Some inkjet printers use more than the four basic CMYK inks to produce high-quality photos, so if you own a digital camera and spend a lot of time printing photos, you may want to pay a little more than a plain old inkjet will cost or opt for a second printer specifically for that purpose. Some photo printers use inkjet technology, described above, but most rely on dye-sublimation, which transfers colour dye in a continuous tone from a ribbon onto the paper in a series of passes, followed by a protective clear coating.
The print quality is comparable to that of professional photofinishing. Another big advantage: they can print directly from compatible digital cameras, and most models also accept storage cards such as CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard, or Memory Stick. A subclass of photo printers, or snapshot printers, is limited to 4x6 or smaller prints; they can't handle standard 8.5x11 sheets, which is why they are suitable as second printers only. They typically cost at least AU$200.
Interface:
Media card slots, PictBridge, USB
Resolution:
Varies by technology
Rated speed:
Varies by technology
Memory:
Measured in KB, not MB
Paper capacity:
Varies by technology
Some inkjet printers use more than the four basic CMYK inks to produce high-quality photos, so if you own a digital camera and spend a lot of time printing photos, you may want to pay a little more than a plain old inkjet will cost or opt for a second printer specifically for that purpose. Some photo printers use inkjet technology, described above, but most rely on dye-sublimation, which transfers colour dye in a continuous tone from a ribbon onto the paper in a series of passes, followed by a protective clear coating.
The print quality is comparable to that of professional photofinishing. Another big advantage: they can print directly from compatible digital cameras, and most models also accept storage cards such as CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard, or Memory Stick. A subclass of photo printers, or snapshot printers, is limited to 4x6 or smaller prints; they can't handle standard 8.5x11 sheets, which is why they are suitable as second printers only. They typically cost at least AU$200.
Key features:
Portable
These pint-size printers are designed for life on the road. They weigh anywhere from 2 to 5 pounds and are just large enough to squeeze through a standard 8.5-inch-wide sheet of paper. Portable printers use the color-inkjet-printing technology described above. The print speeds and the image quality are hardly top-notch, and you'll pay a premium for these travel partners, but if you really need to print on the go, they fit the bill. They typically cost AU$450 or more.
Key features:
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Ellen
10/09/2007 02:38 PM
Hello there, Just wondering do you have any business card printer (used for papers) to recommend at your company? Please advise. Many thanks, and looking forward to hear from you soon. Best Regards, Ellen
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bbaker
15/03/2008 09:42 AM
A good think to watch out for is also companies that "over clock" there print engines. This will lead to more wear/tear and make your expenses go through the roof. I know the Ricoh systems come out at a faster speed, then they slow them down to market valued settings. So its better to go from fast to slow, then slow to fast! Thats a fact! For more information goto www.thecopiergroup.com We teach people all the time.
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Nancy Bain -OAM
25/05/2008 10:56 AM
I need to print from slides & negatives where can I find a printer to do that URGENT
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