Color Laser Printers:
An Affordable Alternative to Inkjet?
© 2003
Reprint by permission only. All
rights
reserved.
by Matt Hyatt
Until recently, inkjet printers were the only affordable option
for color printing in the home and small office. Now there’s
another affordable choice - color laser printers. Although
sophisticated color laser printers have been around for years,
models selling
for under $800 have just become commonplace within the
last year or so.
Color laser printers aren’t the only color printers that
have seen new pricing lows. On a recent trip to the
local office supply store I counted several inkjet printers priced
under $100
each. Of those, at least two were under $50. At first
glance, these printers seem like a real bargain. But buyers beware,
because looks
can be deceiving.
Printer manufacturers figured out long ago that they
can make a lot more money selling printer supplies
than selling the printers themselves. As a result,
many manufacturers attempt
to lure customers with low-cost printers in hopes
of creating repeat buyers for high-margin ink and toner.
This practice seems particularly
prevalent in the inkjet market, where replacement
ink cartridges often cost as much as the printers themselves.
Still, inkjet printers will continue to play a major
role in printing at home and the office. Their low
price, photographic quality, and small size are all
attractive qualities that will
help ensure their continued popularity. So, can $800
color laser printers really compete with sub-$100
inkjet printers? To answer
that question, one has to consider some of the features
and operating costs of each.
Color laser printers are known for their ability
to print sharp, bright colors on ordinary office
paper. Good inkjet
printers,
on the other hand, require special paper to produce
their best output, but many can produce better-looking
photographic images
than even the best color laser printers.
Price is almost always a major factor when choosing
a printer, but purchase price alone is not the
only cost factor to
consider. The toner required to print a single
page on a color laser printer typically costs
less than half that of the ink required
for the same task on an inkjet printer. Most
inkjet users will also have the added expense of special
paper for printing finished
documents. Consequently, people and businesses
that tend to print a lot may find that they can
save money in the long run by using
a color laser printer.
Many inkjet users have discovered that inkjet
cartridges tend to dry out if unused for a period
of time. Once dry, the cartridges are unusable and have
to be replaced
whether they are full of ink
or not. Laser toner cartridges, on the other
hand, can generally be stored indefinitely without
affecting print capabilities.
Shopping for a printer now? Here’s a little tip that could
save you money right away. No matter what type of printer you buy,
be aware that some printer manufacturers try to jumpstart their
supply sales by selling printers with so-called “starter” cartridges.
These cartridges are only partially filled with
ink or toner in order to ensure that customers come back
to buy pricey refills
as soon as possible. Savvy buyers should read
the label carefully before buying a printer to determine
whether a printer includes
a full supply of ink or toner. Also, many store
employees seem to think that ALL printers come with starter
cartridges and will
press hard to sell refills along with the printer,
so reading the contents on the outside of the box will
sometimes help buyers save
money immediately.
Color laser printers do offer some compelling
advantages over inkjet printers, but they’re not for everyone. The good
news is that color laser printers are now more affordable than
ever, making them a realistic option for home and office users
alike.
Matt Hyatt is founder
of Rocket IT, an IT consulting firm near
Atlanta, Georgia. For technology help with your business,
contact Rocket IT at 770-441-2520 or visit online at www.rocketit.com.
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