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A laser or inkjet printer is cheaper. Laser vs Inkjet Printer



Laser - Laserjet, ProXpress, Xpress, MultiXpress, WorkCentre, Ecosys, Phaser, Versalink, Altalink

Inkjet - Stylus, Deskjet, Photosmart, Pixma, Officejet, Pagewide, Workforce, Inkjet, Inkbenefit

Inkjet is usually suitable for home users whose needs are limited to printing text and photos. But, you need to print on inkjet printers constantly, otherwise the ink will dry out. While there is no such problem with laser ones.

Laser ones are better for office work with large volumes and high printing requirements.

Laser can be not only color, but also monochrome (black and white printing). Inkjet, on the contrary, is color only.

Inkjet printers and MFPs have a low initial cost but higher maintenance costs, compared to the high initial cost and low operating costs of lasers.

  • Laser print quality is higher than inkjet
  • Laser printing speed is also higher
  • Laser prints come out very clear, resistant to light and water.
  • lasers do not depend on the print speed and image resolution
  • the cost of consumables for inkjet is higher than for laser
  • the noise depends on the model, both are different
  • the cost of laser is higher than that of inkjet
  • Laser power consumption is higher

There are more problems with inkjet printers and MFPs, while there are fewer of them with laser printers.

As a result, before purchasing a particular printer, as well as an MFP, it is recommended to consult with a specialist who is involved in this topic. Otherwise, the expenses will be high, and the joy of the purchase will turn into indignation. Therefore, the article “how you can distinguish laser printers and MFPs from inkjet printers” is for you.

“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 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 ports computing systems. 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. Bound this fact 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 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 brand differ from others in their reliability. It is possible to work with paper of various densities. Average speed printing speed is 25 pages per minute.

Additionally, many models are equipped with a fax. Operating systems supports a wide variety. 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.

Summing up

"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.

Try to imagine an office without a printer? Strange picture, right? This gadget is widely used all over the world. It’s quite nice to have a device nearby that can print a document in an instant. And it will be useful not only in the office, but also at home. Then one question arises: which color printer is better - laser or inkjet? Everything will depend on individual needs and printing requests. The cost of maintaining the device will also depend on your choice. The answer is quite simple to find out if you understand some of the nuances. This is what we will do in this article.

Laser printer

This type of technology uses “powder ink” for printing. Such devices can be classified into two types: black and white and color. Mainly used for printing texts and various documents. He copes with such tasks easily. The color device is suitable for printing texts, booklets, etc.

Important! It should be noted that multifunctional devices are now very popular. When used in everyday life, they have a number of advantages, and the main one is saving space. This device will replace three separate ones - a printer, a scanner, a copier (and in some models, a fax). There are 2 sales leaders in the office equipment market, comparative review which our specialists prepared in the article.

Advantages of black and white models:

  • Works great for text printing.
  • Prints quite quickly.
  • Withstands heavy loads during operation.
  • Low costs for consumables.

Flaws:

  • Not suitable for working with images.

Important! Conclusion: buy black and white if you work with documents without images.

Advantages of color models:

  • Convenient when working with documents and pages that contain images in color.
  • Quite efficient in operation compared to inkjet technology.

Flaws:

  • Unfortunately, maintaining such devices is expensive, and they are not suitable for printing photographs.

Important! Conclusion: buy a color laser printer if you plan to use the device in the office, but do not forget about the price and the inability to print photos.

Jet

The operating principle of such a device is to work with liquid ink. Such devices are always colored. Printing technologies are strikingly different from previous candidates for purchase. Devices using this technology will perfectly complement your home office. But such gadgets also have their bright and dark sides.

Advantages:

  • It prints perfectly in color and copes well with high-quality photographs.
  • Has a low cost.
  • You can use cheap cartridges (compared to laser ones).
  • Modern models print quite quickly.

Flaws:

  • Unfortunately, cartridges need to be replaced more often, and the equipment itself will cost more to maintain.

Important! Conclusion: if you are into photography, want to print an abstract or just ordinary documents, you can safely purchase a device with inkjet printing technology.

If you nevertheless plan to purchase an inkjet printer for working with photography, take a closer look at those models that have a factory CISS system - such actions will help you significantly reduce your budget. And don’t forget to use only high-quality photo paper. High-quality photo paper will help you achieve the desired brightness and quality.

Important! This technique is environmentally friendly in operation compared to the same laser technology.

Best color printer

Which color printer is better? You know very well that office equipment produces excellent quality work in color. In order to choose a printer, you can get acquainted with one of these.

Canon Laser Shot LBP5200

This device does an excellent job with color text work. The output will always be a very bright and clear document. Canon doesn't handle photos as well. The output will be a faded photo. But for invitations, cards, envelopes and other things it’s perfect.

Important! Be prepared to face for a long time print.

The prints come out pretty good. The pallor is compensated by a well-displayed picture.

Best black and white printer

The print output device does not have to be large; its compactness only makes the purchase more profitable. If you are interested in such a device that is easy to use, you can get acquainted with one of the representatives of this type.

Ricoh SP 150w

The printer is simply ideal for occasional use. The shape of the device's body allows you to store paper even when not in use. The low cost of the printer is compensated by the cost of consumables, but it will not require “crazy” money. Each device has its own advantages and disadvantages, let's talk about them. Ricoh has hundreds good reviews among Internet users in online stores.

Scientific and technological progress moves at the speed of a shopaholic on the last day of New Year's discounts, and today everyone has the opportunity to purchase a printing device of any type. Naturally, we ask ourselves the question: what should we choose?

Modern manufacturers delight with the breadth of their model range. But before moving on to the actual purchase, it is worthwhile to take a closer look at the functional side of the issue: what is a printer in general, what can it be, what are the disadvantages and advantages of its various types? This is what we will do.

What is a printer?

This technical device, the main purpose of which is to transfer information from an electronic medium to a hard medium - paper. The resulting document is called a printout.

This technological achievement has confidently migrated from printing shops and large offices to compact work desks in cozy apartments.

Now it has become an indispensable home assistant in situations where you need to print a text document or even a photo.

Multifunctional devices (MFPs) are very popular among consumers, which most often combine the following functions:

  • printing;
  • scanning;
  • copy machine.

There are also models with telefax. This is very convenient for efficient work in the office.

These devices have their own set-up and operation features, but we will not dwell on them in detail, but will return directly to the main topic. In accordance with the principle of operation, there are several types of printing equipment, each of which we will consider separately.

Types of printing devices and their functions

There are several criteria for identifying different types of printing equipment:

  • operating principle;
  • features of color layout;
  • type of suitable ink;
  • type of source material being printed.

According to these criteria and chronologically, matrix technology was one of the first to be used in printing.

The image was applied to the sheet using a special print head with a certain fixed number of needles that move under the influence of electromagnets. The head, moving along the sheet, hit the ink ribbon, leaving a mark on the paper - a dot. Accordingly, the more needles, the clearer the image. Nowadays this principle is used only for checks in cash registers.

There are sublimation printing machines that are not widely used and are now used only in printing, because they have a special high level color rendition. Also, devices based on rotating drum technology are no longer very popular.

Its surface was embossed, with various letters and numbers on it. The width of the drum was the same as the width of the sheet, and the number of alphabet rings was equal to the maximum allowed number of characters in each line. It should be noted that this type was the first produced in the world, and to this day drum technology is considered the fastest.

Of course, most often in modern offices and homes you can find either laser or inkjet printing machines. Therefore, we will pay more attention to their consideration.

Video: Printer, which is better?

Laser printer

Laser printing technology existed at the beginning of the 20th century and was called electrography, later it became known as xerography. She's different high quality printed material, speed, low cost per unit of printing.

The central link in the principle of operation of such a device is the photodrum, the main property of which is to retain an electric charge corresponding to each point on its surface.

The beam from a special scanner hits the mirror, due to which the surface of the photodrum subsequently acquires a positive charge.

The charged areas form the image. Toner (special coloring powder) spills onto the drum and concentrates at charged points, creating a pattern.

Thus, speed increases significantly, as does quality. In addition, the printed material is very resistant to external influences. The design will not deteriorate due to moisture, and the color will not fade.

Inkjet printer

The technology of applying an image to a sheet is similar to a matrix technology, only instead of needles there is a print head with liquid ink. The image is also created using dots. The print head can be attached directly to the cartridge where the ink is located, or located in the machine itself, which makes it easier to change ink.

Such “printers” differ in the basis of the ink they use.

They may be:


There are also alcohol-based inks, but they are not popular because they dry quickly on the surface of the print head.

This technique has become widespread in many fields of activity, according to which they distinguish:


Which is better: inkjet or laser printer?

When deciding which unit is best for you, it would be appropriate to compare the characteristics of both:


If we talk about what is better for the home – a laser or inkjet printer, then you should pay attention to all these nuances, as well as at what frequency and in what volumes you are going to print. The larger they are, the more appropriate it is to lean towards electrographic technology.

Video: Features of choice

Pros of devices

The main advantages of an inkjet printer include:


If you choose which is better for photos - a laser or inkjet printer, the second one will definitely be more appropriate and effective, because it conveys colors better and makes them brighter.

The main advantages of a laser printer include:

  • the cost per printed page is low;
  • the work speed is very high;
  • ideal for working with voluminous text material;
  • designed for high loads;
  • does not require frequent refueling;
  • gives a moisture-resistant print;
  • Can print on almost any type of paper without degrading image quality.

Disadvantages of devices

The main disadvantages of an inkjet printer include:


The main disadvantages of a laser printer include:

  • high energy consumption;
  • high cost of the device;
  • unsuitable for photo printing;
  • suitable for working only with black and white images and texts;
  • refueling at home is excluded;
  • Toner is harmful to health; after finishing work, it is recommended to ventilate the room.

If you are faced with a choice between the described units, be guided first by your financial capabilities. Laser - expensive to purchase, economical to use. Inkjet - relatively cheap, but expensive to maintain. Pay attention to the volume of printed material: several documents per month will not pay for an expensive purchase, but daily printing is another matter.

Modern printers are very affordable - you can choose a quite economical model for 4000-5000 rubles. But this is not so easy to do, especially if you are planning to buy a color printer: which is better, laser or inkjet?

The difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer: which one is better?

Inkjet printers use liquid ink sprayed through microscopic holes (nozzles) onto the paper, while laser printers use a cartridge of toner (fine powder) that is heated by a fuser. The difference in approach to printing also determines the different set of tasks that these two types of printers can perform. How do you know whether an inkjet or laser printer is best for you? We need to dive a little into the design features.

Inkjet printers

There are three types of inkjet printers: document printers, photo printers and MFPs. They all print using the same technology: liquid ink from a cartridge is applied to paper in the form of tiny dots, from which an image is formed.

The inkjet MFP prints color images very well.

  • Document printers are the cheapest, their cost rarely exceeds 6 thousand rubles. They work best when printing text documents. It can be either black and white or color.
  • Photo printers are slightly more expensive and are aimed at high-quality color printing of small photos (up to 8x10 in size). As a rule, this is enough for home printing or a small photography business.
  • Multifunction devices (MFPs) at relatively low price combine the functionality of a printer, scanner and copier, and sometimes a fax.

The advantages of inkjet printers include the following:

  • Small size. Most inkjet printers are relatively small and can fit into tight spaces. MFPs are slightly larger, but they are generally smaller than a laser printer and much smaller than a standard office copier.
  • Low cost. Inkjet printers, in general, are much less expensive than laser printers. If an inkjet printer breaks down, it is much easier to replace it with a new one.
  • Inexpensive consumables. Cartridges for inkjet printers in recent years fell in price. An ink cartridge costs about half as much as a laser toner cartridge. In addition, it is easier to replace.
  • Excellent photo print quality. Inkjet printers designed for photo printing can produce stunning results, printing images with bright colors and high contrast with almost no pixelation.

Inkjet printer: view from the inside.

Among the disadvantages of inkjet printing are the following:

  • Wasteful ink consumption. To print one page, an inkjet printer requires much more consumables than a laser printer.
  • Slow printing. An inkjet printer can print multi-page documents much more slowly than a laser printer.
  • Cartridge problems. At times, ink cartridges can leak, causing the printer, hands, and paper to get dirty. In addition, ink cartridges tend to dry out if not used regularly.

Overall, an inkjet printer is a popular consumer choice for home use. Buy an inkjet printer if you:

  • choosing a printer for your home;
  • want to print photos;
  • intend to print small documents frequently;
  • limited in funds.
CHIP recommends: Inkjet MFPs




Laser printer

Laser printers are divided into document printers and MFPs. To print, they use a dye powder (toner) that is heated by a laser and adheres to the paper to form an image.

A laser document printer allows you to print text documents quickly and very clearly.

Laser MFPs, just like inkjet MFPs, combine printing, scanning and copying functions.

Some of the advantages of a laser printer include:

  • Economical use of toner. Consumables for a laser printer are more expensive, but they last for more long term than that of an inkjet. In general, printing one page with toner costs less than printing with ink.
  • High printing speed. A laser printer can print multi-page documents much faster.
  • Clean and neat printing. Toner is a dry powder, it does not leave stains and does not smear if, for example, you put a freshly printed document in a folder.
  • Clearer document printing. A laser printer prints fine print and detail more accurately, so documents printed with toner appear much more readable.

Laser printer from the inside.

However, there are also plenty of disadvantages.

  • Expensive consumables. Toner cartridges are very expensive, at least twice as much as ink cartridges. But, as already said, they last much longer.
  • Large size. A laser printer, and especially an MFP, is quite bulky. It's not easy to squeeze it into a tight corner.
  • Noise. Laser printers make noise during operation that cannot be drowned out (inkjet printers have a silent operating mode).
  • Very expensive color printing. Laser printer - no best choice To print photos, color toner is very expensive. Many inexpensive laser printer models do not support color printing at all.

It can be said that laser printers are the best choice for printing large volumes of text. Therefore, they can often be found in offices, libraries, educational institutions. A laser printer is worth purchasing if:


Which printer is better to buy: inkjet or laser?

As you already understand, the answer to this question largely depends on the purpose for which you need the printer. If you print in small volumes, but regularly, you can consider an inkjet model: this option will be cheaper and will allow you to print with high resolution(for example, photographs). If you print irregularly or in large volumes, and resolution is not so important, it is better to choose a laser printer.