You decided that you need a printer and went to the store to buy one. You haven’t decided on the printer model yet, but you know for sure that you need a device that can print documents or photos from your laptop or computer.
Which printer should I buy? Laser or inkjet?
Based on printing technology, all printers are divided into two main categories - and . There are also sublimation ones, but they are not very common.
Which printer is best for your home, laser or inkjet, will depend on your printing needs and requests. Maintenance costs (printing costs) will also depend on this.
I'll start with the usual PROS and CONS, disadvantages and advantages of inkjet and laser (LED) printers.
Inkjet printers
Pros of inkjet printers:
1. Low operating noise
2. Wide range of printed media (cd, dvd, paper, cardboard)
3. High quality photo printing
4. Yes mobile versions printers for use on the go.
Cons of inkjet printers:
1. The main disadvantage (drying out of ink in cartridges) when the device is not constantly used
2. Printing speed is lower than that of laser printers
3. When water gets on the print, the ink spreads (not in all cases)
4. The cost of use is more expensive than laser printers (when purchasing original cartridges)
Laser printers
Advantages of laser printers:
1. High printing speed
2. Ink (toner) is not subject to drying out.
3. Low printing cost
4. High quality document printing
5. Prints are water resistant.
Disadvantages of laser printers:
1. More noisy than jets.
2. Not high quality printing photos.
3. High cost of original cartridges.
4. Sensitive to paper type and thickness.
Results: what to do right choice When purchasing a printer, you need to decide on the tasks for which you are purchasing it.
For home, if you plan to print only documents (essays, diplomas, etc.), then a laser black and white printer would be a rational choice. Even if you type with long breaks. Most inkjet printers are not suitable for this purpose, as the ink only lasts for 100 to 150 pages of printed text. In addition, if you use it occasionally, the ink in the print head nozzles may dry out. Which will be an additional cost for repairs.
If there is a need for color printing, then you need to decide whether the priority will be printing photographs or just images, etc. Since color laser printers are still inferior to inkjet printers in the quality of photo printing. The cost of using a color laser printer when purchasing new original cartridges is currently high. A set of 4 cartridges sometimes exceeds the cost of the printer itself.
So find out right away how much it will cost to refill or buy new cartridges for your printer.
Inkjet printers are suitable for those who primarily need high-quality photo printing, or who print frequently, but not in small volumes. From experience I can say that bargain purchase There will be an inkjet printer that has 4 separate ink tanks for each color. A relatively good supply of ink makes it possible to print up to 200 pages of printed text. Refilling cartridges will not hit your budget hard. In such inkjet printers, the print head has a high resource compared to disposable inkjet cartridges.
To the delight of users, Epson (this is not an advertisement) has released a printer with a built-in proprietary continuous ink supply system (CISS), one refill of such a system is enough for up to 1000 pages of printed text. The cost of use is quite adequate even when purchasing branded original inks. But you need to remember: to prevent the print head from drying out, you need to periodically print something.
Having your own printer at home is very convenient. Those who decide to buy this useful device have a question: which printer is better? In order not to make a mistake in your choice, you first need to answer a number of questions:
- What type of printing is expected to be done, text or photographs?
- What format of printed sheets will be needed: landscape A4, small 10 by 15 cm or will be required different sizes fingerprints.
- Will they come in handy? additional features devices, such as the ability to scan, connect wirelessly, print and edit images without using a computer, and other functions that are useful to someone.
- What price will suit you?
Inkjet printing - excellent photo quality
If you plan to print color photos, then inkjet printers will provide the optimal balance between price and quality. Inkjet printers are traditionally characterized by high resolution and high-quality color rendition of prints. If the user wants to use the device only for making photographs, then you can consider compact models that produce photo prints in the most common format of 10 by 15 cm. These devices support printing from flash cards and directly from cameras without connecting to a computer. But most devices are universal in terms of printed sheet sizes and allow you to work with A4 and smaller formats. For most users using a printer at home, this is the most convenient option.
A stack of sheets with text in a few seconds
The operating principle of a laser printer is completely different and allows you to achieve extraordinary high speed obtaining fingerprints. Therefore, for those who often have to print large amounts of text or graphics, this option will be very convenient. Sheets with text and drawings or diagrams are of high quality and are obtained almost instantly. But it is worth considering that the quality of color photo printing is somewhat worse than with inkjet technology.
Question of price
Price is also one of important parameters, which the buyer pays attention to. Inkjet printers are much cheaper, but their operation costs the consumer more than laser printers. Cartridges that cannot hold too much ink run out quickly. They have to be replaced quite often, and original cartridges are not cheap. As a solution, many companies offer uninterrupted ink supply devices, which reduces the cost of the printing process. In addition, inkjet printers have one more feature: if left idle for a long time without use, the print heads dry out, and then the printer may fail. To prevent this from happening, you need to regularly print at least something on them.
This problem is unfamiliar to laser devices. They can stand idle for years without harming themselves. And cartridges are replaced much less frequently, for many no more than once a year. But, for example, a color laser printer will be very large and expensive. It's up to you to choose.
Thus, having a clear idea of what a printer is needed for and assessing your financial capabilities, you can safely go to the store to make a purchase.
“Which is better, laser MFP or inkjet?” - a question that worries many. Multifunctional devices were first created in 1977 by the Xerox company. They are intended for printing and copying images. Today, there are laser and inkjet MFPs. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. In order to understand which is better - a laser MFP or an inkjet one, you need to understand the design of these devices. Additionally, a lot depends on the manufacturers.
Laser MFP device
Any color laser MFP for home has a special mirror. The beam from the drum hits him. There is also a large image drum that wraps paper around itself. The toner is installed nearby, and with its help the image is directly transferred to the page. For this purpose, there is additionally a special transfer roller. At the back of the laser device there is a stove that brings the paper to a certain temperature. This is enough to burn the toner and fix the image on the sheet.
A primary charge shaft is provided for waste powder. Additionally, there is a squeegee for cleaning the photodrum from toner. Also, all laser devices have a blade that protects the paper. The toner compartment of laser MFPs consists of a seal, a hopper and a seal. At the same time, there is a system that monitors the uniform distribution of toner on the paper.
How do inkjet devices work?
For the most part, inkjet MFPs have a similar design. They include the printing mechanism, paper feeding system and control unit. Manufacturers also establish a control scheme that different models is different. The printing mechanism consists of a head, which is located in the center of the inkjet MFP. There are also ink cartridges that come in various types. Next, a motor is installed, which is responsible for rotating the head. A belt is connected to it for these purposes. Lastly, there is a stabilizer rod in the printing mechanism. It is necessary for accurate printing and is responsible for the vibrations that occur inside the head.
The paper supply system consists of a tray and rollers. Additionally, there is a separate motor for scrolling the sheet. The paper itself passes through the rollers inside the inkjet MFP.
The power supplies of the above devices are usually standard. Previously, bulky transformers were used for this purpose. These days, power supplies don't take up much space. The control system of the inkjet MFP is presented in the form of an electrical circuit. Her job is to decode the data. Additionally, the control system allows you to transfer information to a personal computer and back.
Some models of inkjet MFPs are also installed. In other cases, they are replaced by a serial device. Manufacturers can also install small computing system ports. There are two types of ink spray technology in string MFPs. The first is the thermal bubble system. Most often it can be found in models from the Canon and Hewlett Packard brands. The second type of atomization is called a piezoelectric system. It is based on the work of special piezocrystals. This technology was patented by Epson.
Advantages of laser models
The main advantage of laser MFPs is fast printing. If we talk about large volumes of work, then this is simply an irreplaceable device. In this regard, it is very superior to regular MFPs. However, it is the first sheet of paper that will take a long time. This fact is associated with the need to warm up the photodrum. The second advantage lies in the simplicity of the device. The need for its repair occurs extremely rarely, and it is quite simple to maintain. Unlike inkjet MFPs, there is no need to constantly worry about ink problems.
What are the disadvantages of laser devices?
Color laser MFPs for the home, of course, also have disadvantages. First of all, it hits the pocket hard. You can especially notice the difference if you choose a color laser MFP. Additionally, it takes up a lot of space, and it is quite difficult to place it on the table. Another drawback lies in the cartridges of laser MFPs. Like the devices themselves, they are expensive on the market. Despite their large resource, sometimes it is the price of cartridges that stops many potential buyers.
Pros of inkjet models
The main advantage of inkjet MFPs is their low cost. Most models are available to absolutely everyone. Moreover, the housings of these devices are quite compact. All this allows you to place the inkjet MFP almost on the edge of the table. Plus, they print the first page much faster than laser ones. Taking this into account, if we talk about one document, then inkjet MFPs are the leaders here.
Additionally, it is possible to supply cartridges directly, which are very cheap. By the way, you can refuel them absolutely independently without any problems. You can print on different types of paper. The ink adheres perfectly to both matte and glossy surfaces. The final advantage of inkjet MFPs lies in print quality. It is simply excellent, and if we talk about photographs, then ink is simply irreplaceable in this situation.
Cons of inkjet devices
Unfortunately, inkjet MFPs also have disadvantages. First of all, this is the printing speed. If you have to work with a large volume, then it will take a long time. Some models are close to the speed of laser MFPs, but there is a problem. The second drawback lies in the maintenance of these devices. The ink often dries out and has to be replaced. In some cases, you just need to replace the cartridge. To solve the problem, you need to periodically use inkjet MFPs to warm up. This will always waste ink.
Hewlett Packard laser models
“Which MFP is better to choose?” - a complex question, but Hewlett Packard has long established itself with positive side, and she has a lot to offer. Laser models of this trademark differ from others in their reliability. It is possible to work with paper various densities. The average print speed is 25 pages per minute.
Additionally, many models are equipped with a fax. It supports a wide variety of operating systems. Additionally, you can note the user-friendly interface. On average, the memory of these devices is 128 MB. In general, they can be described as productive. The most popular model is the Hewlett Packard M1536dnf. This laser MFP has good reviews from customers.
Hewlett Packard Inkjet Products
In terms of print resolution parameters, Hewlett Packard inkjet MFPs are significantly superior to laser models. It is possible to print on photo paper, as well as gloss. Additionally, there is a function for optimized resolution of work from a personal computer. A variety of paper sizes can be skipped. However, the recommended sheet density is 75 g per square meter. m. On average, the printing speed is 4 pages per minute. In turn, the first sheet is ready in 24 seconds. The boundaries of the printing area are quite extensive. You can also select a wide range of colors.
Power consumption is insignificant and allows you to save money. When in operation, the Hewlett Packard inkjet MFP consumes approximately 10 W. At the same time, only 2 W are consumed in standby mode. Also, in many models, manufacturers have installed a sleep mode system. When activated, the Hewlett Packard inkjet MFP consumes 0.9 W. One of the features is the presence of special contact image sensors. In general, the color depth is approximately 24 bits. Additionally, there is a scanning input mode. Copy speed is 4.5 sheets per minute.
How are Canon laser MFPs different?
Many models have a good maximum print resolution. This figure came very close to Canon inkjet MFPs. Additionally, you can note good quality scanning documents. A wide variety of paper formats and densities are allowed. However, there is, of course, no opportunity to work with photo paper or a matte surface. The average print speed is 23 pages per minute.
As a rule, Canon laser MFP is equipped with a fax. The printing boundaries are quite extensive: the top, bottom and sides are 5 mm. Management is generally satisfactory. Many models are equipped with a convenient display for this purpose. The total memory of most models is at 256 MB. Operating systems support a variety. However, the Canon laser MFP consumes quite a lot of power. In operating condition, the device consumes approximately 500 W. In standby mode, power consumption is 5.4 W.
All this makes us think about the cost-effectiveness of laser MFPs. Moreover, their dimensions are quite impressive. On average, a Canon laser MFP model has a height of 390 mm, a length of 440 mm, and a depth of 360 mm. In this case, the weight of the device will be approximately 12 kg. The Canon MF217W model (laser MFP) is perfect for home use.
Canon inkjet models
Most Canon inkjet MFPs boast good optical resolution. In this case, the droplet size is 2 pl. The density of printing paper is allowed from 64 to 105 g per square meter. m. Additionally, it is possible to work with photo paper. On average, a Canon inkjet MFP model produces 10 sheets per minute. If we talk about color printing, then this parameter drops to 6 sheets per minute. In turn, photo printing takes an average of 44 seconds. Additionally, you can highlight the ability to print without borders. The interface is generally pleasant and many will like it.
You can also highlight the cost-effectiveness of inkjet MFP models. On average, only 0.7 W is consumed. When copying, the Canon inkjet MFP consumes only 0.19 W. The dimensions of most models are quite compact. On average, the height of the device is 300 mm, the length is 440 mm, and the depth is only 150 mm. In this case, the weight of the device is on average 5.5 kg. The Canon MG4240 model is in greatest demand. This MFP has only positive reviews.
Summarizing
"Which is better - laser MFP or inkjet?" - a question to which there is no clear answer. However, first of all, it is necessary to determine the requirements that will be imposed on the device. If you look from the point of view of print quality, then the leaders in this regard are inkjet MFPs. They are simply irreplaceable for working with photographs.
However, this class of equipment is definitely not suitable for offices. Documents must be printed quickly. In this case, there should be no problems with the device. From this point of view, laser MFPs are clearly becoming the leader. Considering all of the above, the question is: “Which is better - a laser MFP or an inkjet one?” - must be considered on a case by case basis.
In our article we will compare inkjet and laser printers and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both printing technologies. If you are still undecided which type of printer will be the preferred option in your case, then our article will certainly help you do right choice and choose the model that best suits your requirements.
Nowadays the printer is an important and necessary device, required by almost any PC user and organization. The printer's tasks include printing documents, printing color photographs, etc. Laser and inkjet printers use different printing technologies and have different functionality. It is also worth noting that one or another type of printer is purchased depending on the tasks for which it is intended. When purchasing any printer model, it would be wise to consider your needs and financial capabilities.
Comparisons of laser and inkjet printer
In this comparison we will present some weak and strengths, as well as the differences between the two types of printers. Let's start the comparison with a little history.
Story
Remington Rand was the first company, which developed a modern printer for computers Univac in 1953. Contrary to popular belief, laser printer , predates inkjet technology. Laser printers were developed at Xerox by a scientist named Gary Starkweather. It was thanks to his work that a breakthrough was made in printing using a laser beam and dry powder - ink (toner).
Inkjet technology Printers owe their development to the efforts of many companies such as Canon, HP and Epson. They were presented for the first time On the market in 1979 and soon became a real workhorse, widely used throughout the world. After this little historical excursion, let's get down to business and start by defining some basic technology terms to understand the difference between laser and inkjet printers.
Difference in technology
Laser printer technology is genius, and here it is... brief introduction in how it works. A built-in laser beam projects an image onto a digital copy of the printed page onto a selenium coating located on a rotating drum. A laser beam projects a “negative” image of a document to be printed onto a charged drum using the principle of photoconductivity. The selenium coating becomes photoconductive, meaning it loses charge, in areas where it is intended to be printed. The drum roll then attracts dry paint particles to areas where there is no charge. The drum rolls the image onto the paper.
Another technology that is being used recently and is as fast as a laser printer is led printer. The difference in technology is that a laser printer uses one beam source, while an LED printer uses a whole line of sources located along the entire length of the printing area.
Now, let's see how does a printer work using technology inkjet printing. Most inkjet printers use a piezoelectric material that has an ink cartridge responsible for atomizing the nozzles. When electrical voltage is applied to a piezoelectric material, it vibrates and changes shape and size. This creates a pulse of pressure in the ink bottle, which literally shoots droplets of ink out of the nozzle. That's why this technology is called "inkjet" because it prints jets of ink using voltage pulses.
Comparison of print speed and print quality
Laser printers print much faster than inkjet printers. The reason lies in the use of different technologies. For laser printers, it doesn't matter whether it prints text or an image, its printing speed remains the same in both cases. Jet printer applies ink to every pixel in the image. Thus, his speed slows down depending on the complexity of the image it prints.
When it comes to printing black and white pages, with complex text structures and a variety of fonts, laser printers do this much better and faster. While a laser printer is the preferred option for text and black-and-white printing, an inkjet printer is better at printing color images and photos. Although it must be admitted that speed is not his strong point.
Cartridge
Laser printer uses one big one toner cartridge with powder paint, while jet printer usually equipped with several cartridges with black and color ink. Inkjet cartridges run out faster than toner cartridges and therefore must be replaced more frequently. With inkjet printer, you will spend on buying cartridges several times more What does the printer itself cost? It is not surprising that inkjet printer manufacturers make much more money on cartridges for their model range than on the printers themselves. 
If you have to print a lot of documents and they are in black and white, then laser printer will become the most smart choice in your case. Each page printed on a laser printer costs several times less than the page printed on an inkjet printer.
To reduce cartridge costs for inkjet printers, if the device is used regularly and for large volumes of printing, it will it is advisable to use CISS(continuous ink supply system). For example, by purchasing an HP A3 inkjet printer with CISS, you can significantly save on the subsequent purchase of cartridges.
Size
Laser printers and especially colored ones, are large in size compared to inkjet printers.
Laser printers can weigh up to 20 kg, while weight inkjet printer rarely exceeds 5 kg. Inkjet printers are usually more compact and better suited for small rooms. If you have very low print volumes and don't want to purchase bulky equipment, then inkjet printers are the ideal choice for you.
Price
If we compare the cost of laser and inkjet printers, then jet printer it will cost you when you buy cheaper. However, given the cost of ownership, which includes the cost of ink and the cost of cartridges that need to be replaced periodically, a laser printer will quickly pay for itself in a very short time.
Laser printers are more expensive initially, but they do not require changing the cartridge after a long time. The toner cartridges in these printers can print between 2,500 and 10,000 pages before needing to be replaced. The cost of both printers varies depending on the quality of the cartridge, brands and features.
Inkjet Printer Price Range varies on average from 2000 to 6000 rubles, while cost of laser printers may vary from 4500 to 12000 rubles. Laser printers have an average lifespan of five years. Inkjet printers have an average lifespan of 3 years.
Performance
As stated earlier, laser printing quality is the best than inkjet printers exhibit, especially when it comes to printing text, but even in the case of printing images, they have higher resolution and detail. Inkjet printers are better at printing images and photos when it comes to brightness and rich color in images.
Conclusion
If you need to print a large number of documents and do not need a lot of color printing, then buying a laser printer is the most suitable and smart choice. If you don't need to print a lot, an inkjet printer is a good choice.
A printer is one of the most needed devices for modern users. These devices are produced in a wide range of technological types. What is the difference between a laser and an inkjet printer? In what cases might it be preferable to purchase a matrix device? What are the main criteria for comparing the efficiency of printers?
The differences are in technology
The key aspect of how a laser printer differs from an inkjet printer is that the first type of device uses two main elements of influence on the paper. This is a laser - a light beam high temperature, as well as toner - a powdery dye consisting of very small solid particles. In turn, inkjet printers use other basic elements: a dosing-type print head, as well as ink, which, unlike powdered toner, is usually liquid. Let us note that most IT specialists consider it not entirely correct to ask the question whether a laser or inkjet color printer is better. Both have advantages and disadvantages. They're just different.
And therefore, one of the key criteria that determines how a laser printer differs from an inkjet printer is adaptability to the tasks performed by the user. And therefore, in our article we will try not so much to determine the advantages and disadvantages of each type of device, but to find out how optimal one or the other is in terms of its intended purpose.
Technology Features
Let's take a closer look at how the printing process on devices different types carried out in a technological aspect. This will allow us to more clearly compare inkjet and laser printers, as well as understand for which tasks the first or second is optimal. So first, laser printing technology.
As we noted above, it uses a laser and toner. This powdery substance is applied to paper, then immediately heated by a light flux, as a result of which it changes color or shade.
The peculiarity of laser printing technology (if we talk about its household implementation and not industrial use) is that the range of dispersion of toner particles is quite high. As a result, when digital images are reproduced on paper, their quality is not the most ideal. This is why laser printers are not very well suited for printing pictures and photographs. But they are ideal for printing texts, tables, and graphs.
An inkjet printer, as we said, uses ink. The principle of applying them to paper is generally similar to the process of painting a canvas with a brush. The image on an inkjet printer is built line by line.
any chemical exposure it does not appear on the ink - once it gets on the paper, it, like paint, simply has to dry. In many printers, this process is accelerated by heating mechanisms.
This technological aspect makes it possible to effectively use inkjet devices specifically for printing pictures and photographs. and the overall quality of images produced on paper is usually significantly higher than when using laser technology.
Ink color factor
Let's consider an aspect that may influence finding the answer to the question of which is better - a laser or inkjet printer in relation to the user's tasks. The fact is that the ink and toner used in devices can be color or black and white. But the printer itself can only support some of them. This can be a significant factor in what to buy - for example, a black and white laser printer or a color inkjet printer. And that's why.
Many IT specialists believe that the classification of printing devices into “laser” and “inkjet” is not detailed enough. The fact is that both printers can be legitimately divided, in turn, into a large number of subtypes. The basis for the corresponding additional classification will be Above, we determined how a laser printer differs from an inkjet printer in key points. Now let’s try to study what a more detailed classification of devices within one technological type could be.
Printer and cartridges
Let's first define what the main printing element of a printer is. It is with the help of the cartridge that the toner is sprayed or the ink is applied to the paper. This item almost always removable and replaceable.
In many cases, it is the cartridges that determine the color of the print, and not the printers themselves. But this is not always the case - we will see why later.
Black and white and color laser printers
There are black and white laser printers. As a rule, they can only accommodate a single type of cartridge. It is capable of pictures using black and white toner particles. Which, lining up in a certain sequence, can also form one of the shades gray- with the help of this feature, in particular, printers print photographs and pictures.
Note: most models of laser devices for home use- in particular those that are in the budget price segment - refer specifically to those that support only black and white cartridges. They can print anyone and pictures, but on paper they will appear in corresponding colors or shades of gray.
There are laser printers that can work with color toner cartridges. But they are significantly more expensive than black and white ones. Technologically, printing in them is carried out in the same way - using light flux and toner. But in this case, the color of photographs and pictures on paper will correspond to the original tones that are present in digital format Images. In some cases, printers capable of working with color cartridges may be compatible with the corresponding black-and-white print elements. But such compatibility is quite rare.
We also note that color cartridges are technologically designed in such a way that they can also print in black and white. Therefore, if the printer supports them, then pictures can be printed on it in virtually any color. The only question is whether the user wants to overpay for more universal type devices. And here everything again depends on the specifics of the tasks being solved. If you want to print mostly text, there is no need to overpay for a color laser printer.
We noted above that in some cases it is the cartridge that determines the color of the print. And therefore, it is not always correct to call the printer itself “color” or “black and white”. It is better to classify only the cartridge as the appropriate type. However, as we defined above, laser printers that only support black and white print elements are generally incompatible with color print elements. And therefore it is quite acceptable to call them black and white. The same is true for color printers.
Black and white and color cartridges in inkjet printers
Let's immediately note a feature - it is very rare to find inkjet printers that are compatible only with black and white or exclusively with color cartridges. As a rule, these devices support both types of printing elements. Moreover, as with laser printers, a color inkjet cartridge can print black and white text and images onto paper. What is the rationale for using separate color or black and white cartridges in inkjet printers? We again note the fact that it reflects the dependence of the feasibility of using a device of a particular type on the tasks performed by the user. If these include printing predominantly black and white text and pictures, you should buy the appropriate type of cartridge. The same pattern applies to the colored financial element.
Let us note, since we touched upon the corresponding aspect above in relation to laser devices, that using the phrase “black and white inkjet printer” or “color” is not entirely correct. Since almost everything modern devices of the type in question are compatible with both types of printing elements. In inkjet printers, it is correct to call only the cartridge “color” or “black and white”. But this rule is not always observed in informal conversations, even with the participation of IT specialists. The fact is that an inkjet printer is universal, and it is incorrect to call it “color” or “black and white”.
By studying the properties of inkjet and laser printers in relation to the types of cartridges used, we somehow touched on the economic criterion. We have determined that when printing primarily color texts and pictures, it is worth using the appropriate type of cartridge. And in the case of laser printers, buy a compatible device and not overpay for the fact that it supports color printing. However, we studied only one side of the economic criterion. It will be useful to compare inkjet and laser printers in more detail.
Economic criterion
We noted above that laser printers are especially good for printing texts and chart tables. How well do inkjet printers cope with the same tasks? In principle, not bad. And in no way are they inferior to laser samples in this component. However, why is it highly discouraged by experts to use inkjet devices if the user’s main task is to print texts? The answer is simple - it is unprofitable. If we consider the key advantages of a laser printer over an inkjet printer, then the very first in their rating will most likely be cost-effectiveness. Toner, regardless of the purpose of its use - printing texts, pictures, or anything else - carries a much greater resource than ink.
Another advantage of the laser device - and it is also of an economic nature - is that better compatibility cartridges installed in them, with refilling procedures. It's about about the main printing element of the printer. It is the cartridge, as we said above, that sprays that same toner; it is the most technologically complex and expensive component of the device. Many printer manufacturers try to design these hardware components so that when they run out of toner, the owner of the device has to buy new sample. Although, from a technological point of view, the cartridges are designed in such a way that it is quite possible to add new printing substances to them instead of those that are running out.
There is a fairly consistent trend: printer manufacturers really don’t like making cartridges refillable. This is understandable - this approach is unprofitable for them. But there is another trend: even more manufacturers do not like to make refillable cartridges specifically for inkjet printers. If you try to pour new ink into the corresponding printing element, it will simply refuse to work. In this regard, manufacturers are much more loyal to laser devices. You can refill cartridges for most printers of the corresponding type.
Nuances of calculating benefits
Let's look at a simple example that will clearly show how a laser printer differs from an inkjet printer in the economic aspect.
The cost of a budget custom, but good quality inkjet printer model is now 5-6 thousand rubles (after the rise in price, due to the dollar exchange rate, it was previously 1.5-2 times cheaper).
Laser, as we have defined, there are two types - those that support only black and white cartridges, and those that are compatible with color ones. The first ones cost 7-8 thousand. The second ones are much more expensive, about 15-20 thousand.
Yes, of course, at the “initial investment” stage, the inkjet option looks preferable. But a lot depends on the pricing policy of a particular dealer, which is again tied to the ruble exchange rate. It may well be that at certain points in time, a dealer and representative of an inkjet and laser printer under a certain brand will consider it expedient to sharply increase or decrease the price of devices in catalogs.
The resource of a "factory" cartridge for an inkjet printer is approximately 25-30 photos standard size, or 300-400 pages of text in small font. What are the indicators for a laser cartridge? Many times higher. This is about 100-150 images and 1000-1200 pages of text. To this we add the fact that after an inkjet printer runs out of ink, the cartridge will most likely have to be replaced. It costs about 400-500 rubles. Thus, the cost of maintaining an inkjet printer can soon exceed the difference in the amount of the “initial investment”. At least in terms of cost comparison between an inkjet device and a black and white laser.
Thus, if the question is which is better - an inkjet or a laser printer to buy in an economic aspect, most likely, the second option will be preferable. However, do not forget that the quality of pictures and photographs printed using devices of this type is much lower. And therefore, when comparing inkjet and laser printers in terms of price, you need to know what kind of tasks will be performed on the device. If you plan to print mainly texts, you can safely buy a laser device. If you are taking photographs, the inkjet option will most likely be more suitable. It is quite possible that it will be somewhat more profitable than a laser printer that supports color printing due to the high price of the latter.
Of course, there are examples of laser printers that are capable, due to technological features, print excellent image quality. However, they are not classified as custom. The technological properties of inkjet and laser printers used at home, as well as the principles of their operation, are extremely simple in comparison with those that are typical for the devices in question - aimed at professional digital studios and printing houses. They cost several times more than devices in the category we are considering. It is advisable to purchase them if subsequent commercial payback is expected. Which can only be achieved by turning photo printing into a separate business. The profitability of which, by the way, is last years not the highest.
Dot matrix printers
Above we tried to answer the question of which - inkjet or laser - printer is better suited for solving certain problems. However, it will be useful to supplement our short study with information about another remarkable type of device. Once very popular, now considered obsolete. We are talking about dot matrix printers. What are they?
If you study the technological side, dot matrix printers are closer to inkjet printers than laser ones. They print by applying ink to paper. They do not use laser or toner. But the structure of their print head is completely different from that of inkjet printers: it arranges a picture or text on paper in the form of a matrix. While in inkjet devices, as we noted above, it is done line by line.
Despite the fact that matrix printers are technologically closer to inkjet printers, their scope of application is more compatible with the tasks typical for using laser devices. That is, they are better suited for printing texts, tables, graphs, but not so much for pictures and photographs. If we compare printers - laser, matrix, inkjet - in an economic aspect, then the second type of device will be less preferable in relation to modern market conditions.
The fact is that refilling a matrix cartridge is much more difficult - not all technical centers have the necessary equipment for this. But, it must be said, a printing element of the appropriate type has a significantly greater resource than its technological competitors - about 2 thousand pages of text. However, matrix devices are usually more expensive than laser devices used for similar tasks - budget model will cost 15-20 thousand rubles.
That's why economic expediency purchasing a matrix device will be most obvious if almost all user tasks involve printing large volumes of text. This type of printer purpose is more typical for office needs.
conclusions
So, we have determined how a laser printer differs from an inkjet printer. It's time to draw key conclusions regarding our small study. Let's try to summarize in what aspects a particular difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer will become a clear factor influencing the user's choice. We will also correlate the available information with the features of matrix devices.
The main criterion for choosing a particular device will be the difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer, as well as a matrix printer, in terms of its intended purpose.
If we print mainly texts, tables and graphs, then the ideal option for us is a laser printer that supports black and white cartridges. If you plan to print a significant percentage of color documents or pictures, then it is advisable to purchase a device compatible with the corresponding type of printing element.
If we print mainly photographs or pictures, then the best option for us is an inkjet printer. Depending on which color of the image predominates, we will buy the most suitable cartridges for the device - black and white or color.
If we print mainly only texts, then we can try to purchase a dot matrix printer. Perhaps in economic terms this will be more profitable due to lower ink consumption. If you compare an inkjet and laser printer with this indicator, the difference can reach multiples. At the same time, matrix devices produce very mediocre results when printing pictures.
Thus, the main difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer in terms of better compatibility with the tasks performed is its efficiency in printing pictures. It makes sense to compare the matrix one in terms of capabilities only with the first one. But he may well be competitive with him. If compared in pure form the initial investment in a dot matrix, inkjet and laser printer, the difference can be noticeable. But subsequent expenses can make the device that cost more more economically profitable. It also influences what pricing policy the store representing the inkjet and laser printer has chosen in relation to the exchange rate. The approaches of Russian retailers may differ in this regard.
