For a business, choosing which printer to buy, an inkjet or a laser printer, can be a difficult decision. For home use, it can be even more difficult.

However, there are some simple questions to ask that will make the decision much easier. Budget, quality of printing, amount of printing will all play a part in the decision making process.

Businesses have to weigh up the costs over a period of time, whereas the initial outlay is a major, major factor for consumers. They to deciding which printer you should go for, especially in terms of cost, is to determine exactly how you\’re going to use it.

Businesses

Most businesses are going to be doing a lot of printing and therefore going through quite a few printer cartridges in the course of a year. Therefore the business needs to consider the quality of printing it requires.

If the printing is mainly internal, quality is likely to be unimportant so choosing an inkjet printer will do the job, reducing the initial outlay. If printed materials are going to be seen by clients and customers, quality should be high so a laser printer would be the better choice, even if it costs more.

The next thing to consider is the amount of printing that will be done. Inkjet printer cartridges are cheaper than laser toner cartridges but they also don\’t last as long. Therefore it might be more economical over the course of a year to invest in a laser printer if there is going to be a lot of printing done. On the other hand, if it\’s only going to be the odd internal memo and monthly report, an inkjet printer will likely prove the right choice.

Consumers / Home Use

As previously stated, the initial cost of a printer is likely to be the biggest concern for a home user. Outlaying a thousand pounds or more on a laser printer is going to be a barrier for most, but again, it does depend on the amount of printing and the quality of print required.

For most home users an inkjet printer will be enough. It only costs a few hundred pounds and with inkjet cartridges varying from 60-80 pounds for brand versions or 20 to 40 pounds for refilled, remanufactured or non-brand cartridges it will also prove to be the cheapest option.

Some home users will want better quality or more prints, in which case a laser printer with the longer lasting, albeit more expensive toner cartridges will be required – and will cost less in the long run.

Whichever printer is chosen it is worth working out what is required of it before making any purchase. And of course it always makes sense to bear in mind the budget you have, not only for the inkjet or laser printer itself but for the ongoing purchase of inkjet or toner cartridges, which is a cost most people forget to consider when making a purchasing decision.

Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Cartridge World, providers of inkjet cartridges and toner cartridges.

Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Cartridge World (http://www.cartridgeworld.co.uk), providers of office supplies, including ink cartridges and toner cartridges.

Author Bio: Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Cartridge World, providers of inkjet cartridges and toner cartridges.

Category: Advice
Keywords: choosing a printer, inkjet cartridges, toner cartridges