Buying an Inkjet Printer

By Damon Rallis

There are two distinct types of printers on the market today: laser printers and inkjet printers. Unless you plan to produce a high volume of pages in short cycles and have a hefty budget, it is recommended that you steer clear of the laser printer. Inkjet printers, on the other hand, are quite affordable and there are many models available to suit your individual needs. But, how do you know which inkjet printer is right for you? Follow these simple steps to assure that you choose the right inkjet printer for particular needs.

It is tempting to buy an inkjet printer at a rock-bottom price, and many people, seeing an advertisement for a decent inkjet printer on sale for around $60, rush out and buy a printer only to find that it does not suit their needs. Chances are if the majority of your printing consists of text rather than graphics, a low-budget inkjet printer will do the trick. However, if you intend to print photos, you may want to reconsider the model.

Compatibility

It isn't enough to just consider if your new inkjet printer will be compatible with your computer and its operating system. It is essential that you choose a printer that uses a USB 2.0 interface. When you use a printer with a parallel or USB 1.1 interface, your larger files will take longer to print.

If you are a digital photo nut, you may consider getting a printer that features PictBridge. This feature allows you to connect your digital camera directly to your printer, thereby eliminating the need to upload your prints to your computer. Similarly, you may consider a printer that has a built in card reader. This allows users to plug their memory sticks or SD cards directly into the printer.

Capability

The size of paper you require, speed of printing and ink cartridge requirements should all be considered when choosing a printer.

More expensive models will give you various page size options. However, if your needs require that most of your printing occurs on letter-size paper, you're safe with a standard 8.5 x 11 output. With respect to speed, be sure to check the specifications listed on the model you are considering. Be aware however, that these specifications usually refer to the printing of text and graphics. If you are interested in printing quality photos, you may want to consider beefing up speed, as lager files such as photos take longer to print.

When it comes to saving time, look for a printer with a higher input tray capacity, perhaps 150-200 pages. This insures that you don't have to reload paper into your input tray too often. You may even want to consider a printer with more than one input tray. This allows a larger input capacity as well as the option of printing on differing paper stock. The size of your output tray can save you time and effort also. The larger your output tray, the longer you can leave your project unattended.

If you print documents consisting of text and graphics, whether for business or personal use, you may want to look for a printer that offers duplex printing which enables the user to print on both sides of a page. However, make sure to find a duplex-capable printer that is automatic rather than manual.

For printing photos, be sure to check the printer's specifications. Just as your digital camera's megapixel capability is important, so is your printer's DPI. Printers with higher DPI will produce clearer and more detailed photographs. Inkjet printers typically range from 1,440 x 720 DPI all the way up to 9,600 x 2,400 dpi. But DPI is not the only way to achieve quality photos. The quality of your printer's ink and the paper you use can also be a factor. 2,880 DPI is just fine for the amateur photographer and 1,440 DPI is sufficient for text and graphics.

Ink Cartridges

The brunt of your printing budget will come later as you begin to use ink. That is why it is important to research what ink cartridges a printer uses prior to buying the printer. Find out how much they cost and, more importantly, how long they will last.

If most of your printing is text and graphic based, a simple two cartridge printer will be sufficient. But for photos, look for printers with at least four cartridges (featuring Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black, often referred to as CMYK). This will give you the varied shades and colors featured in your work without wasting an otherwise good ink cartridge because one color runs out.

Ink cartridges are expansive and, although there are "no frills" brands on the market, as well as refillable cartridges, they can be a nightmare. It is best to stick with the ink cartridges made by the manufacturer of your printer.

There are so many different styles and brands of printers on the market today, that it can be a hassle finding the right one. However, these tips should help you make an informed decision next time you shop for a printer. Remember, it's great to find a good deal, but as with anything else, you usually get what you pay for, so do your homework first!

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