When
buying a printer, there are a host of things to consider. Firstly, you need to think about the following things:
1) Your workload
2) The cost of ownership
3) Speed
4) Media support
5) The print resolution
6) The dimensions of the printer
7) The connections required
It's vital that when considering a printer that you realistically assess the workload that it needs to handle, it's no good buying something for home use when you are going to be printing reams of documents from multiple machines on a daily basis.
The printer's method of printing is also vital, for less intensive needs like home use or for up to 3 machines, an
inkjet printer is a viable option.
However, if you need something that is capable of printing in an office environment, then a laser printer is probably best as it is ultimately more economical and faster.
Another thing to consider is the connection; almost no printers have proper cables anymore so you need to ensure that you have the appropriate cables for your needs. A good option is generally a wireless printer as you can connect it to multiple computers without worrying about adequate wiring.
The quality of print resolution is also vital to any computer user. When printing corporate documents you would obviously want the resolution to be as clear as possible. This might not be necessary if you are using it at home. If you are looking for crystal clear documents, a
laser printer is the superior of the two. Most printers nowadays have tools that allow you to specify the print quality of your page and while they may cost a bit more, the reliability of it more than makes up for the expense.
The amount of technical support available to you is a major factor, most of the big brands like Hewlett Packard offer both live and online technical support ensuring that you are always able to run your machine. Buying a lesser known brand may save you money in the short term but when it comes to maintenance and keeping it running, you will ultimately pay more.
Obviously you want to get the best printer that money can buy but usually the cruel reality is that they are just too expensive. Because of this it's essential to shop around. Shop around at online stores, generally you will find the best deals at places like this. Conventional retailers usually mark their products up substantially, resulting in massively inflated prices. Plus, buying online carries the added benefit of never having to leave the comfort of your own home!
