Buying a printer for your home can be a tough task, with all the convoluted terms that add to the complicated process it can turn into a hassle soon leaving you frustrated and confused than before. Go through the following guide that explains most common terms in simple language and help you make a decision.

Type of printer: Inkjet or Laser

First of all you need to understand what is it that you need to print from your printer. There are two most basic types of printers, the inkjet printer and the laser printer.

Inkjet printers are most commonly found in households as they just do the job for you and print almost anything from pie charts to essays to glossy photos. But printed text from inkjet is not always as sharp as from a laser printer. They are slower and are expensive if you plan to use the printer far more than often. They may not print an impressive document if you plan to submit it your boss.

Laser printers are the best option in offices as they have the capability to print large volumes of data quickly and comparatively cheaper than inkjet printers. They print sharp text data and the color lasers are also quiet affordable. However, replacement of the color laser toner can be expensive and is not a suitable option for home use unless you plan to print novels or page after page of school reports.

Other types

All-in-one-printer

Both laser and inkjet printer come with a scanner bed on top. This has all the features namely printer, copier, scanner and fax. Even if you don’t need all these functions, it is more feasible to buy this all-in-one machine simply because it is feasible than a standalone scanner and more importantly it is a great space saver. It is the most common option that many household users opt for especially if you plan to print large volumes.

Photo Printers

If you are into printing photographs of your family and preserving them, you should choose this printer as it will soon cover the cost of printing photos from a vendor. However, these don’t come with a multifunction and don’t print sharp text data.

Replacement supplies

Many printing companies offer cheap printers, asking their consumers to pay for over the top prices for ink cartridges. Research for the replacement supplies before you make a decision, otherwise you may end up buying a cheap printer but will have to cough up some expense regularly for the ink cartridges. If you plan to use the printer often it is more feasible to buy a slightly expensive printer when the company provides cheap and affordable replacement supplies.

Also have a look at the possibility of refilling the cartridges which can cost dramatically less compared to buying new ones every time.

Duty Cycle

Duty cycle measures the amount of prints a printer can handle in a month without any serious damage to the parts. On an average many manufacturers claim a home printer to have a duty cycle of 750 pages and an office printer to hit 8000 pages. However, these are maximum values and the usage should be less than this threshold value for the printer to last longer. Choose a printer based on the amount you are going to use it and for what purpose. 

Network connectivity

If you plan to use the printer for than one computer, invest in a printer with a networking capability to make your process easier. Although you can always connect the printer to one computer and then configure it to be shared on a network, all the other computers will rely on that computer for access to the printer. The best option is to opt for a Wi-Fi printer for maximum efficiency. The printer can be kept in a place which is convenient for all to easily pick up the printed documents. 

Memory slot or USB port

If you plan to print a lot of photos or print documents but don’t have frequent access to the computer think about a printer with a built-in memory slot or USB port which will allow you to print directly from the memory card which can be just popped in the memory slot. Though the cost will increase with this feature, it will save considerable time while you switch on the computer and hit the print button.

Whether you plan to use it frequently or not, buying a printer is never a waste of money. Though it is important you choose one which best fits your requirements to avoid future dissatisfaction and unnecessary indulgence of money.