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5 Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Printer for You

by Innov8tiv.com

With home working becoming the new norm, there has never been so much demand for a home printer as there is today. Whether you’re homeschooling and need to print out resources like worksheets and timetables, or you have long and important documents you need to go over with a highlighter rather than training your eyes to the computer screen for hours, home printing is highly convenient.

Then there’s also the home printer owners that only need it for very occasional use. If you’re the type of person that prefers to do everything digitally on your phone or iPad, then you may find yourself being occasionally caught out. Perhaps there’s a Hermes label you need to attach to a parcel or a government form that requires hard copy submission by post.

Whether you’re a regular printer or the type to only print something when backed into a corner, below we’ll go through some of the things to consider when trying to choose which printer is best for your home.

Inkjet or Laser

Deciding on an inkjet or laser printer typically depends on how often you’re going to use the printer, and what you’ll be using it for.

Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers are run by spraying droplets of liquid ink onto a page. Today’s inkjet printers are highly sophisticated and print and dry rapidly. They will generally operate by having a number of print heads with various colors, typically Black, Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow ink. Lower-end inkjet printers may only have two print heads, one that’s black and one that’s multicolor, while higher-end printers will have more color options.

One thing to bear in mind is that the cost of ink can be very high for inkjet printers. If you’re going to be doing a lot of printing in black and white, an inkjet printer could prove to be a nuisance as when one color runs out, it won’t carry on operating with black ink only. You will need to replace that individual color before you can print again.

Inkjet cartridges can also dry up very quickly if you don’t use the printer often. However, if you’re looking to print out home photographs on glossy paper then you will require an inkjet printer. Ink cartridges from the likes of Canon, Epson, and Brother offer more affordable options while HP cartridges offer high quality, superior prints.

Laser Printers

Laser printers use toner rather than ink. The toner is in powder form and is melted onto the paper using static electricity. These printers often have a higher entry price than inkjet printers and the toner can be more expensive than ink cartridges, however, they last far longer than ink, making them cheaper in the long run.

Bear in mind that with these printers, they’re usually only black and white and cannot print on different forms of glossy paper, so they’re best kept for the office.

Wireless Connectivity

When purchasing a printer, it’s important to select a model that offers the right type of connectivity for the devices you have. Many computers, laptops, and smartphones will be able to connect via Wi-Fi, while other devices may need a more specific connection.

If you have Apple devices then you will need to look for a printer that is compatible with Apple AirPrint. AirPrint allows you to print full photos and documents from your iPhone, iPad or iPod, without needing to install any additional software.

If you have a Chromebook then you will need to look for a printer that is Chrome OS compatible. You can find this out by visiting the manufacturer’s website.

Where to Buy the Printer From

Deciding on where you buy the printer from is down to personal preference. If you’re tech-savvy and are known to create a detailed spreadsheet that compares the different models and features before purchasing, then online stores and places like Amazon may offer more choice.

However, if you’re not quite sure what features you need and which model to go for then it may be best to go into a physical store where you can seek advice from a store assistant and take a look at the different qualities and options in person.

Now you’re all set to go ahead and purchase your home printer.

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