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 Buying guide for printers

Not all printers are made the same. So, before you hit the market, it’s necessary to understand your requirements. Here are a few attributes that make every printer different:

Inkjet or Laser

The first question you need to ask yourself while buying a printer is whether you need an inkjet or laser printer. The market is full of inkjet printers, mainly because they can print anything and everything. Whether its pie charts or glossy pictures, it’s all possible with an inkjet picture.

Laser printers use toners instead of ink, which lasts longer and is good for bulk printing. The catch here will be – it’s a monochromatic printer unless you go for the special colour version, which way too costly. So, if you are ready to give up the versatility of inkjet pictures for bulk monochrome prints, laser printers are the alternative option.

Print quality

The measuring point for an image is resolution, which is measured in pixels. The accepted value here is above 300 pixels. But always remember that the more is resolution, the better will be the printing quality.

For those who are trying to buy a printer for photographic purposes, a minimum of 1200dpi print resolution is important. There are printers with multiple resolution modes also, so you need to find one with maximum capabilities.

Printing speed

Determine the speed of the printer, depending on how much printing you need in a day. If you need it in a place with a lot of employees, you will need a printer with high speed. But, always remember that most of the printers compromise on the print quality to reach maximum speed.

Printers print between the speeds of 7 to 20 pages per minute.  Most of the budget-friendly printers come with 7-10 ppm speed, which is good for lighter use. But, if you want bulk work it is recommended to buy printers with the print speed of more than 20 ppm.

Feature’s accessibility

Do not lose the ease of accessibility over higher specifications. The interface must be easy to use so that everyone in the family or office can use it without messing with the device. See how much control you have over the functioning, by asking questions like – whether you just to hit the print button or need extra work also? Is it easy to explain the features to others? Answer to these questions will help you get the best printers.

Network Connectivity

Some of the printers these days are coming up with network connectivity options too. While USB cable was the prime way to connect to a printer, you might not always have access to a USB cable and that’s is when you need a Wi-Fi. If you want better quality and more freedom, opt for wireless printers. Some of the printers even allow remote handling, so even if you are not at home, your printer is one touch away.