The printer for many of us has become an integral part of everyday life. To print a photo or finished term paper, all this can be done without leaving your home. However, when choosing a model, many buyers are lost. How not to get lost in the vast assortment and make a purchase according to your preferences, we will tell in our article.
How to choose a printer for home use - selection criteria
We all strive to make a successful purchase, choose the best option for functionality and price. And for this you need to correctly approach the choice, prepare for the purchase.
Before going to the store, we decide on the parameters we need specifically:
- For what purpose will the device be purchased.
- What features are needed for everyday use.
- Suitable type of appliance.
- The manufacturer we trust.
- The price we are willing to pay.
Appointment
Printers perform two main tasks:
- printing of text documents,
- listing of photos.
We can say that any model will cope with these responsibilities. The only question is the quality of the result and the time spent on it.
Functionality, type of device
Possible additional features:
- Two-sided filing of documents, if available, you do not need to turn the paper over each time.
- Wireless connection, allows you to connect the printer to any device (PC, smartphone, etc.).
- Continuous ink supply system (CISS), significantly reduces ink costs and thereby extends the life of the cartridge.
- Ability to work with other formats (A3, A5, etc.).
REFERENCE. All printers have A4 paper size standard.
Types of equipment depending on the principle of operation:
- matrix
- inkjet
- laser
- LED light.
ON A NOTE. Depending on the type of image output, the devices are divided into black and white and color.
Consider the characteristics of each type
Matrix devices They are mainly used in trade, banking and other fields; they are not suitable for home use due to the lack of color printing, low speed and low-quality images.
Inkjet Models they use cartridges with liquid ink, have a standard speed of black and white printing (up to 10 pages per minute, depending on the model).
Benefits: Get high-quality color photos.
disadvantages: high ink consumption, one cartridge lasts an average of 200 pages. Refueling can be expensive. With prolonged downtime (a week or more), the paint begins to dry. A color printout takes up to 1 minute.
Laser devices They have ink cartridges with powder in the form of powder, they print any documentation quickly and in excellent quality.
pros: high print speed, long consumable life - up to 2,000 pages. However, replacing a cartridge can reach ¾ the price of the machine.
Minuses: support for color printing is rare, if present, its low quality is characteristic.
LED models according to their capabilities, they coincide with laser devices, the difference lies in the use of LEDs instead of a laser light source and a simpler device. For the average consumer, these are not essential details.
Apart from the list is a multifunction device (MFP), which is capable of solving several tasks: printing, scanning and photocopying. May include tools such as telephone and fax.
Dimensions
The dimensions of the devices largely depend on the number of functions, as well as on the complexity and number of various elements inside the equipment.
The most compact models are LED printers, due to the use of small light sources and a minimum of technical details.
MFPs are the most cumbersome devices, due to the presence of various options, and will occupy maximum space on the table.
REFERENCE. The convenience of placement can be affected by the presence of a wireless connection, which allows even large printers to be installed where it is comfortable for the user.
Manufacturer
There are companies on the market that have established themselves as manufacturers of high-quality devices. The most popular brands in high demand are Canon, HP, Epson.
Here are some examples.
Canon PIXMA TS304 Inkjet Printer. Black and white and color printing, speed of 7 and 4 pages per minute, respectively, for a photo of 65 seconds. The capacity of 2 cartridges is enough for 400 black-and-white pages and 180 color pages. There are wired and wireless interfaces.
HP LaserJet Pro M15a Laser. Support for black and white printing, speed up to 18 pages per minute. Printing on A4 sheets, postal envelopes, postcards and stickers. The cartridge is designed for 1000 pages. Wired connection.
Inkjet MFP Epson L364. Scanner, printer and copy machine, supports both types of printing, speed of 9 and 4 pages per minute, respectively. Instead of cartridges, containers are installed (you can add ink on your own), the number is 4. Printing on envelopes, glossy, matte, photo paper, cards. There is support for CISS and a wired interface.
Price
The cost depends on both the type of product and the available functionality:
- In the budget segment are inkjet printers.
- The average level is laser models.
- MFPs cost more than printers due to additional features. However, the stores have high-quality budget equipment of these manufacturers.
- LED devices belong to an expensive class.
Summarize.
Inkjet machines are suitable when high-quality color printing is important, the printer will be used regularly, but in a moderate operating mode, and there are cash limitations.
If it is necessary to produce large volumes of printouts, and high speed is required, then opt for laser models.
Choose an MFP if it is more convenient for you to solve several problems on one device: scanning, photocopying and printing, as well as have additional functions.
LED and matrix devices are a matter of personal taste. But as already mentioned, matrix devices will not provide the desired quality. The advantage of LED equipment is their compact size and simplicity of the working circuit, but its high cost calls into question the benefits of the acquisition.
In our article, we examined in detail the main characteristics of printers and their capabilities. We hope this information has helped you make a pleasant and useful purchase.
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