Jun 1, 2008, 8:17 GMT
Berlin - Buying a new printer can be a disorienting experience for many consumers. The choices can be overwhelming: there are inkjet, laser or combined units, each with differing technical benchmarks and a wide range prices within each product group.
Yet you can make small work of big decisions by focusing on your needs, analysts say.
'Your individual requirements should be decisive when purchasing a new printer,' advises Henning Withoeft from the German consumer testing organization Stiftung Warentest in Berlin. People who print out a lot of material make different demands on the machine than someone who only uses it occasionally.
'Inkjet printers are suitable for private users with normal to low printing volumes in both black and white and colour,' says Tim Gerber from Hanover-based computer magazine c't. Inkjets are actually the most versatile devices. 'Most can print anything from a CD cover to photo paper - an extreme range of media - in colour and black and white,' Gerber says. Additional benefits include the cheap purchase price, as well as the small size and low weight.
The downsides are print speed and price per page - in both cases poorer than their laser printer cousins. 'The consumables like ink cartridges and print heads are also often very expensive for ink jet printers,' Withoeft says. That's why he reminds potential buyers to check not only the cost of the device but the accessories as well.
In general, the prices of various printer inks have become standardised. Only a few years ago, however, the differences between the cheapest and most expensive ink providers were enormous. 'The range just isn't as big any more,' Withoeft explains.
One way to save money is to buy cartridges with integrated print heads. 'Switching the cartridge also brings a new print head at the same time. If the ink dries up after several weeks of disuse, you then don't have to buy a new one,' says Withoeft. Laser printers are primarily of value for volume printing, such as for office use. 'They generally have a large paper slot and are designed for high printing volumes,' explains Tim Gerber from c't.
The cost of consumables are relatively low and the printouts are generally sharper and more durable. The devices are usually quieter and quicker, too.
'There's also no ink to dry out, and there's no need to clear or replace the print head,' says Gerber. Instead of cartridge changes, the entire toner unit is swapped out once a certain print volume has been achieved.
The downside when compared to inkjet printers is the high purchase price, the bigger dimensions of the devices, and the heavier weight. 'Unless you buy an expensive colour laser printer, then you'll also have to go without colour prints,' says Gerber. In some cases, it may appear that the purchase price for laser printers has sunk significantly.
'Yet I'd recommend against buying low-end devices from discount outlets,' says Gerber. 'They are frequently of very poor quality.'
Another option is the use of so-called combination devices. They combine an inkjet printer, scanner and copier in one. These multifunction devices are usually cheaper than purchasing comparable individual devices and are particularly valuable to users with restricted space and normal print loads.
'The problem comes when one of the functions breaks. The remaining functions are then also frequently inoperable as well,' Withoeft notes.
Energy consumption is another factor to consider. The choice of device type makes a big difference here, Stiftung Warentest claims. According to the organisation's Test magazine, inkjet printers require less electricity than laser printers both during operation and while in stand-by mode.
The magazine compared seven inkjets, five black-and-white laser printers and four colour laser printers to see how they rated in terms of printing properties, costs, environmental friendliness, versatility, and ease of use.
The more functions a printer offers, the more crucial that it be easy to use. 'We found no significant problems in terms of user friendliness in the mid-line price segment,' Withoeft says.
One thing to remember is that the new printer should be set up to work with the computer according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
'The basic functions should be clear without having to read thick handbooks, and the printer should be able to be commissioned in just a few steps,' says Smycek from the Consumer Central for Lower Saxony, Germany. This is particularly important for combination units. 'Many users are scared off by thick handbooks and operating instructions on the CD ROM. That's the first thing to get tossed into the corner,' Withoeft says.
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