Printer Insights (2023)
The most common question I get happens to be about printers and what I recommend. The answer constantly changes, as newer models always arrive on the market and the local store stock is limited. With that said, if you are willing to shop online, you should be able to find what you are looking for.
There are many different types, features, functions, and formats. So, let’s start simple and work our way down the list.
B&W vs. COLOR
This should be the first item to identify – narrow the possibilities by 50%.
Whether you use color or not, the overall cost goes up anytime color comes into the conversation as a need. Color consists of magenta, cyan, and yellow outside of black, which is not considered a color. Each has a cost, and each has an opportunity to malfunction chemically or functionally.
Current Trend: Monochrome printers are coming back into style over color.
INK vs. LASER
Printers can be broken down into two major categories, either Ink or Laser – narrowing the possibilities by another 50%. Both have pros and cons you should consider.
Ink is a liquid sprayed onto the paper as tiny liquid dots. Because of those small dots, the ink has the advantage of dense color, quality, and realism – perfect for art and photos. However, because of the spraying of ink, they are slower in comparison. Ink, as a liquid, tends to dry up or become cloggy, depending on your environment. Ink replacement is available as a cartridge or liquid bottle.
Top issues: Uses lots of ink. Printers are replaced more frequently because of ink issues.
Laser use toner, which is a dry powder-like substance. The toner, in combination with magnesium, holds the toner to the paper and is then fused by heat and pressure. Because of this process, printing is exceptionally faster and more reliable. Toner does not dry up or have clogging issues. The laser can print in color – expect dulled-down results in comparison. Toner replacements come as a cartridge – careful not to get it on you or the surrounding area, as it will smear.
Top issues: More expensive and uses more electricity.
INK vs. LASER
Printers can be broken down into two major categories, either Ink or Laser – narrowing the possibilities by another 50%. Both have pros and cons you should consider.
Ink is a liquid sprayed onto the paper as tiny liquid dots. Because of those small dots, the ink has the advantage of dense color, quality, and realism – perfect for art and photos. However, because of the spraying of ink, they are slower in comparison. Ink, as a liquid, tends to dry up or become cloggy, depending on your environment. Ink replacement is available as a cartridge or liquid bottle.
Top issues: Uses lots of ink. Printers are replaced more frequently because of ink issues.
Laser use toner, which is a dry powder-like substance. The toner, in combination with magnesium, holds the toner to the paper and is then fused by heat and pressure. Because of this process, printing is exceptionally faster and more reliable. Toner does not dry up or have clogging issues. The laser can print in color – expect dulled-down results in comparison. Toner replacements come as a cartridge – careful not to get it on you or the surrounding area, as it will smear.
Top issues: More expensive and uses more electricity.
Functions
Single-function, multi-function, glass scanning, and feeding tray scanning make up the physical/mechanical nature of the printer- narrowing possibilities by another 50%.
Single-function machines do only one thing. They either print, scan, copy, or fax. These are less popular, but I lean towards something that does one thing well vs. many things mediocre.
Multi-function machines are the most common, as they do most of everything needed – print, scan, copy, and scan. It is one device that does it all.
Glass scanning machines are typically more compact printers. They are perfect for those that seldom scan or copy. These are more economical.
Tray-feeding machines can scan or copy single or multiple pages in one go. The feeding mechanism is on the top of the device, which feeds the paper onto a glass – which supports glass scanning. These are pricer because of the mechanical complexities.
Features
At this point, you should have narrowed down the vast number of printers to something more manageable. When selecting a printer, you should consider the remaining elements – all specific to the user or situation.
- Air Print: Allows Apple devices to print to it.
- Wireless: Allows the printer to be connected to a router or directly.
- Ethernet: Allows the printer to be connected to a router using a ethernet cable.
- USB: Allows the printer to be connected directly to a computer.
- Dual-side Printing: Allows printing on both sides of the paper.