Which print technology will work best for you when selecting a new printer is one of the more difficult choices to make. There are currently two main printing technologies: ink jets, which use ink tank cartridges and fine-spray nozzles, and laser technology, which uses toner cartridges and a transfer drum assembly. The approach that will work best for you will largely depend on the types of documents you intend to print on your new printer and the operational costs involved. With lower "per page" costs and better text quality than most ink jets, laser printers may be preferable for high-volume printing. Although laser printers typically print pages more quickly, ink jets still provide the crucial benefits of inexpensive color printing.
You'll likely want to print out digital images or graphics for personal use, so color is essential. Office versus home use has traditionally been the dividing line between lasers and ink jets, but color also offers clear presentation benefits for business use. If you absolutely need both color and high-quality text, the good news is that prices for both types of printers have decreased enough to make buying both a laser and an ink jet practical.
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Today, a wide variety of printer configurations are offered, many of which are quite specialized in the applications. There are desktop ink jets, high-speed lasers, direct disc CD printers, multifunction printers, and specialized photo printers.
You should most likely look for a color ink-jet system that is a photo printer, allowing for extremely high quality color output and having the ability to print all the way to the edge of the page, if you want a printer that is specifically made for printing photographs. Recently, all-in-one Multifunction devices with printing and scanning capabilities have been released by well-known brands. There are also many smaller devices that can be plugged directly into your digital camera and are made solely to print photos. The same is true for printing on CDs or DVDs; specialized printers are available to print directly onto discs, eliminating the need for label application.
In contrast, if you operate a small home office, your needs might be more general. In this case, you should choose a printer based on the kinds of documents you produce and how frequently. Ink-jet printers generally provide high-quality color outputs at low hardware costs, but high consumable costs. Although lasers have much higher speeds, the cost of the hardware is much higher. However, high volume usage significantly lowers the cost per page.
Because they combine several functions into one device—typically a scanner, printer, copier, and fax machine—multifunction printers (MFPs) are frequently ideal for home offices or student needs. They do a bit of everything while saving a significant amount of desk and office space. Some MFPs, which are typically ink-jet printers, may sacrifice performance for price and convenience (e.g., lower resolution, slower print speed) as opposed to purchasing a printer and scanner separately.
Multifunction printers can be purchased that are specifically designed for printing photographs. Some of these devices allow you to scan straight from 35mm slides, store digital files, and print them—making them perfect for archiving old photo collections. The scanned images might not, however, have the same clarity and brightness as digitally captured photographs or the same level of quality as a deidcated scanner. Look up the specifications you need on PrinterCentral.co.uk, then compare the costs and results of various brands and technological advancements.