To choose a printer, you need to decide What And how often you plan to print. Some models are more suitable for the office, others - for the home. There are printers that are designed to print text, but not images. And there are models that are convenient for printing photographs, but not multi-page reports and articles.
All the features of laser and inkjet printers described below that will be discussed can also be taken into account when choosing MFPs (multifunctional devices). They work on the same principle.
Print speed
For office workers who are used to printing tens or even hundreds of pages every day, the main difference between a laser and an inkjet printer is speed. Models of the first type print on average 18-20 pages per minute, the second - about 7-8 pages. When it comes to color images, the print speed of both devices is approximately the same - 5 pages per minute.
For inkjet printers, this indicator directly depends on the intensity of the load: the more sheets you need to print, the lower the speed. When printing for a long time, the device begins to work intermittently. The fact is that the printer has to periodically throw a small amount of ink into a special tray to get rid of air bubbles and clean the nozzles. That is why you should not rely on the maximum performance indicated by sellers and manufacturers of inkjet machines. Most likely, by the third or fourth minute of printing, the speed of the device will decrease by 1.5-2 times.
The difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer is that it does not need breaks. The laser printer can print 100 pages in a row without stopping for a second. If device performance is very important and you plan to print dozens of pages at a time, choose a laser printer.
Color print
Which color printer is better, laser or inkjet? The answer to this question, again, depends on what you plan to print.
To make the right choice, it is important to understand the difference between color inkjet printing and laser printing. Inkjet machines are equipped with cartridges with liquid paint of different shades. When printing color images, the device applies drops to the paper under high pressure, mixing the inks in the desired proportions. This technology allows you to select tones as accurately as possible: a standard set of 6 color cartridges is enough to get about 16 million shades. Thanks to this, the quality of color printing on inkjet printers is very high.
Instead of paint, laser printers use toner, which has a powder-like consistency. The device applies it to a special drum using a laser, then prints it on paper, heats it to a high temperature and literally melts it to the sheet. Toner, unlike liquid paint, does not mix well. Because of this, the quality of color images when printed on a laser printer is mediocre. This is especially noticeable when printing photographs. In addition, using a laser printer it is not always possible to print several copies of a color document so that they are completely identical.
You also need to take into account the printer resolution - an indicator on which the contrast and clarity of the image depend. The lower it is, the more noticeable the grain of the picture, and therefore the worse the print quality. With the same cost of devices, the resolution of a laser and inkjet printer can vary greatly and averages 600x600 dots per inch (DPI) for the first and 2400x9600 for the second. For texts and graphics, a small resolution is sufficient, but for printing complex images, and especially photographs, this option is not suitable.
If you plan to print color graphs, charts, text, and simple drawings where shade is not an important factor, a laser printer is a good choice. If you want to print photos, only inkjet will do.
Ease of use
The tray of most inkjet printers is designed for 50, maximum 100 sheets, and laser printers - on average 150. This is why laser printers are more often used in offices: with their help you can print several large reports without adding paper. However, if you only plan to print a few pages at a time, this benefit may not matter to you.
Inkjet printers have a feature that is important to consider: if the device is not used for a long time, the ink can dry out and damage the print head. One solution to the problem is to purchase a model with a built-in nozzle cleaning function. The cleaning procedure takes only a couple of minutes and allows you to avoid expensive repairs and replacement of spare parts.
The process of refilling cartridges deserves special attention. Inkjet printers are much more convenient in this regard: if necessary, the owner of the device can replenish the ink supply himself, without turning to specialists for help. Refilling a toner cartridge is much more difficult, and there is a risk of spilling some of the powder. Cleaning up spilled toner is not an easy task, especially if it gets on the carpet or clothes. This is why owners of laser printers most often have to order cartridge refills from professionals.
Economical
For many buyers, the most significant difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer is the price. With equal print quality, models of the first type are 2-3 times more expensive. The simplest laser printer with monochrome printing and a resolution of 1200x1200 dpi will cost the same as an inkjet device with color printing and a resolution of 9600x2400 dpi.
However, when answering the question of which printer is more economical, laser or inkjet, you need to consider not only the price, but also the maintenance costs. And in this matter, the laser printer leads by a wide margin. The fact is that the resource of laser cartridges is about 1500-1600 pages, and inkjet cartridges are on average 100-500 pages. Moreover, the cost of one inkjet cartridge is often 2/3 of the price of a new model. In addition, you need to consider the cost of repairing an inkjet printer if it has not been used for a long time and the ink has had time to dry. Owners of laser devices do not have such problems.
The conclusion is clear: the price of laser printers is higher, but printing on them is cheaper.
How to make a choice
Inkjet or laser printer: which is better in your case? Let's summarize.
The choice should be made in favor of an inkjet printer if:
- You want to print photos, flyers or color drawings.
- High print quality is important to you, but you are not ready to buy an expensive laser printer.
- You plan to print regularly, but not too much.
You should choose a laser printer if:
- You plan to frequently print text documents with a minimal amount of graphic elements.
- High printing speed is important to you.
- You print often and a lot. In this case, a laser printer will be much cheaper to maintain than an inkjet printer.
- There is a risk that the printer will sometimes sit idle for a long time. Laser cartridges do not deteriorate even if they are not used for several months.
Which printer to choose, inkjet or laser - it's up to you!
“Which is better, laser MFP or inkjet?” - a question that worries many. Multifunctional devices were first created in 1977 by the Xerox company. They are intended for printing and copying images. Today, there are laser and inkjet MFPs. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. In order to understand which is better - a laser MFP or an inkjet one, you need to understand the design of these devices. Additionally, a lot depends on the manufacturers.
Laser MFP device
Any color laser MFP for home has a special mirror. The beam from the drum hits him. There is also a large image drum that wraps paper around itself. The toner is installed nearby, and with its help the image is directly transferred to the page. For this purpose, there is additionally a special transfer roller. At the back of the laser device there is a stove that brings the paper to a certain temperature. This is enough to burn the toner and fix the image on the sheet.
A primary charge shaft is provided for waste powder. Additionally, there is a squeegee for cleaning the photodrum from toner. Also, all laser devices have a blade that protects the paper. The toner compartment of laser MFPs consists of a seal, a hopper and a seal. At the same time, there is a system that monitors the uniform distribution of toner on the paper.
How do inkjet devices work?
For the most part, inkjet MFPs have a similar design. They include the printing mechanism, paper feeding system and control unit. Manufacturers also establish a control scheme, which differs in different models. The printing mechanism consists of a head, which is located in the center of the inkjet MFP. There are also ink cartridges that come in different types. Next, a motor is installed, which is responsible for rotating the head. A belt is connected to it for these purposes. Lastly, there is a stabilizer rod in the printing mechanism. It is necessary for accurate printing and is responsible for the vibrations that occur inside the head.
The paper supply system consists of a tray and rollers. Additionally, there is a separate motor for scrolling the sheet. The paper itself passes through the rollers inside the inkjet MFP.
The power supplies of the above devices are usually standard. Previously, bulky transformers were used for this purpose. These days, power supplies don't take up much space. The control system of the inkjet MFP is presented in the form of an electrical circuit. Her job is to decode the data. Additionally, the control system allows you to transfer information to a personal computer and back.
Some models of inkjet MFPs are also installed. In other cases, they are replaced by a serial device. Manufacturers can also install small computing system ports. There are two types of ink spray technology in string MFPs. The first is the thermal bubble system. Most often it can be found in models from the Canon and Hewlett Packard brands. The second type of atomization is called a piezoelectric system. It is based on the work of special piezocrystals. This technology was patented by Epson.
Advantages of laser models
The main advantage of laser MFPs is fast printing. If we talk about large volumes of work, then this is simply an irreplaceable device. In this regard, it is very superior to regular MFPs. However, it is the first sheet of paper that will take a long time. This fact is associated with the need to warm up the photodrum. The second advantage lies in the simplicity of the device. The need for its repair occurs extremely rarely, and it is quite simple to maintain. Unlike inkjet MFPs, there is no need to constantly worry about ink problems.
What are the disadvantages of laser devices?
Color laser MFPs for the home, of course, also have disadvantages. First of all, it hits the pocket hard. You can especially notice the difference if you choose a color laser MFP. Additionally, it takes up a lot of space, and it is quite difficult to place it on the table. Another drawback lies in the cartridges of laser MFPs. Like the devices themselves, they are expensive on the market. Despite their large resource, sometimes it is the price of cartridges that stops many potential buyers.
Pros of inkjet models
The main advantage of inkjet MFPs is their low cost. Most models are available to absolutely everyone. Moreover, the housings of these devices are quite compact. All this allows you to place the inkjet MFP almost on the edge of the table. Plus, they print the first page much faster than laser ones. Taking this into account, if we talk about one document, then inkjet MFPs are the leaders here.
Additionally, it is possible to supply cartridges directly, which are very cheap. By the way, you can refuel them absolutely independently without any problems. You can print on different types of paper. The ink adheres perfectly to both matte and glossy surfaces. The final advantage of inkjet MFPs lies in print quality. It is simply excellent, and if we talk about photographs, then ink is simply irreplaceable in this situation.
Cons of inkjet devices
Unfortunately, inkjet MFPs also have disadvantages. First of all, this is the printing speed. If you have to work with a large volume, then it will take a long time. Some models are close to the speed of laser MFPs, but there is a problem. The second drawback lies in the maintenance of these devices. The ink often dries out and has to be replaced. In some cases, you just need to replace the cartridge. To solve the problem, you need to periodically use inkjet MFPs to warm up. This will always waste ink.
Hewlett Packard laser models
“Which MFP is better to choose?” - a complex question, but Hewlett Packard has long established itself on the positive side, and it has something to offer. Laser models of this brand differ from others in their reliability. It is possible to work with paper of various densities. The average print speed is 25 pages per minute.
Additionally, many models are equipped with a fax. It supports a wide variety of operating systems. Additionally, you can note the user-friendly interface. On average, the memory of these devices is 128 MB. In general, they can be described as productive. The most popular model is the Hewlett Packard M1536dnf. This laser MFP has good reviews from customers.
Hewlett Packard Inkjet Products
In terms of print resolution parameters, Hewlett Packard inkjet MFPs are significantly superior to laser models. It is possible to print on photo paper, as well as gloss. Additionally, there is a function for optimized resolution of work from a personal computer. A variety of paper sizes can be skipped. However, the recommended sheet density is 75 g per square meter. m. On average, the printing speed is 4 pages per minute. In turn, the first sheet is ready in 24 seconds. The boundaries of the printing area are quite extensive. You can also select a wide range of colors.
Power consumption is insignificant and allows you to save money. When in operation, the Hewlett Packard inkjet MFP consumes approximately 10 W. At the same time, only 2 W are consumed in standby mode. Also, in many models, manufacturers have installed a sleep mode system. When activated, the Hewlett Packard inkjet MFP consumes 0.9 W. One of the features is the presence of special contact image sensors. In general, the color depth is approximately 24 bits. Additionally, there is a scanning input mode. Copy speed is 4.5 sheets per minute.
How are Canon laser MFPs different?
Many models have a good maximum print resolution. This figure came very close to Canon inkjet MFPs. Additionally, we can note the good quality of document scanning. A wide variety of paper formats and densities are allowed. However, there is, of course, no opportunity to work with photo paper or a matte surface. The average print speed is 23 pages per minute.
As a rule, Canon laser MFP is equipped with a fax. The printing boundaries are quite extensive: the top, bottom and sides are 5 mm. Management is generally satisfactory. Many models are equipped with a convenient display for this purpose. The total memory of most models is at 256 MB. Operating systems support a variety. However, the Canon laser MFP consumes quite a lot of power. In operating condition, the device consumes approximately 500 W. In standby mode, power consumption is 5.4 W.
All this makes us think about the cost-effectiveness of laser MFPs. Moreover, their dimensions are quite impressive. On average, a Canon laser MFP model has a height of 390 mm, a length of 440 mm, and a depth of 360 mm. In this case, the weight of the device will be approximately 12 kg. The Canon MF217W model (laser MFP) is perfect for home use.
Canon inkjet models
Most Canon inkjet MFPs boast good optical resolution. In this case, the droplet size is 2 pl. The density of printing paper is allowed from 64 to 105 g per square meter. m. Additionally, it is possible to work with photo paper. On average, a Canon inkjet MFP model produces 10 sheets per minute. If we talk about color printing, then this parameter drops to 6 sheets per minute. In turn, photo printing takes an average of 44 seconds. Additionally, you can highlight the ability to print without borders. The interface is generally pleasant and many will like it.
You can also highlight the cost-effectiveness of inkjet MFP models. On average, only 0.7 W is consumed. When copying, the Canon inkjet MFP consumes only 0.19 W. The dimensions of most models are quite compact. On average, the height of the device is 300 mm, the length is 440 mm, and the depth is only 150 mm. In this case, the weight of the device is on average 5.5 kg. The Canon MG4240 model is in greatest demand. This MFP has only positive reviews.
Summarizing
"Which is better - laser MFP or inkjet?" - a question to which there is no clear answer. However, first of all, it is necessary to determine the requirements that will be imposed on the device. If you look from the point of view of print quality, then the leaders in this regard are inkjet MFPs. They are simply irreplaceable for working with photographs.
However, this class of equipment is definitely not suitable for offices. Documents must be printed quickly. In this case, there should be no problems with the device. From this point of view, laser MFPs are clearly becoming the leader. Considering all of the above, the question is: “Which is better - a laser MFP or an inkjet one?” - must be considered on a case by case basis.
Modern printers are very affordable - you can choose a completely economical model for 4000-5000 rubles. But this is not so easy to do, especially if you are planning to buy a color printer: which is better, laser or inkjet?
The difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer: which one is better?
Inkjet printers use liquid ink sprayed through microscopic holes (nozzles) onto the paper, while laser printers use a cartridge of toner (fine powder) that is heated by a fuser. The difference in approach to printing also determines the different set of tasks that these two types of printers can perform. How do you know whether an inkjet or laser printer is best for you? We need to dive a little into the design features.
Inkjet printers
There are three types of inkjet printers: document printers, photo printers and MFPs. They all print using the same technology: liquid ink from a cartridge is applied to paper in the form of tiny dots, from which an image is formed.
The inkjet MFP prints color images very well.
- Printers for documents are the cheapest, their cost rarely exceeds 6 thousand rubles. They work best when printing text documents. It can be either black and white or color.
- Photo printers are slightly more expensive and are aimed at high-quality color printing of small photos (up to 8x10 in size). As a rule, this is enough for home printing or a small photography business.
- Multifunctional devices (MFPs) at a relatively low price combine the functionality of a printer, scanner, copier, and sometimes fax.
The advantages of inkjet printers include the following:
- Small size. Most inkjet printers are relatively small and can fit into tight spaces. MFPs are slightly larger, but they are generally smaller than a laser printer and much smaller than a standard office copier.
- Low cost. Inkjet printers, in general, are much less expensive than laser printers. If an inkjet printer breaks down, it is much easier to replace it with a new one.
- Inexpensive consumables. Inkjet printer cartridges have become cheaper in recent years. An ink cartridge costs about half as much as a laser toner cartridge. In addition, it is easier to replace.
- Excellent photo print quality. Inkjet printers designed for photo printing can produce stunning results, producing images with vibrant colors and high contrast with virtually no pixelation.
Inkjet printer: inside view. Among the disadvantages of inkjet printing are the following:
- Wasteful ink consumption. To print one page, an inkjet printer requires much more consumables than a laser printer.
- Slow printing. An inkjet printer can print multi-page documents much more slowly than a laser printer.
- Cartridge problems. At times, ink cartridges can leak, causing the printer, hands, and paper to get dirty. In addition, ink cartridges tend to dry out if not used regularly.
Overall, an inkjet printer is a popular consumer choice for home use. Buy an inkjet printer if you:
- choosing a printer for your home;
- want to print photos;
- intend to print small documents frequently;
- limited in funds.
| CHIP recommends: Inkjet MFPs | |
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Laser printer
Laser printers are divided into document printers and MFPs. To print, they use a dye powder (toner) that is heated by a laser and adheres to the paper to form an image.
A laser document printer allows you to print text documents quickly and very clearly.
Laser MFPs, just like inkjet MFPs, combine printing, scanning and copying functions.
Some of the advantages of a laser printer include:
- Economical use of toner. Consumables for a laser printer are more expensive, but they last longer than for an inkjet printer. In general, printing one page with toner costs less than printing with ink.
- High printing speed. A laser printer can print multi-page documents much faster.
- Clean and neat printing. Toner is a dry powder, it does not leave stains and does not smear if, for example, you put a freshly printed document in a folder.
- Clearer document printing. A laser printer prints fine print and detail more accurately, so documents printed with toner appear much more readable.
Laser printer from the inside. However, there are also plenty of disadvantages.
- Expensive consumables. Toner cartridges are very expensive, at least twice as much as ink cartridges. But, as already said, they last much longer.
- Big size. A laser printer, and especially an MFP, is quite bulky. It's not easy to squeeze it into a tight corner.
- Noise. Laser printers make noise during operation that cannot be drowned out (inkjet printers have a silent operating mode).
- Very expensive color printing. A laser printer is not the best choice for printing photos; color toner is very expensive. Many inexpensive laser printer models do not support color printing at all.
It can be said that laser printers are the best choice for printing large volumes of text. Therefore, they can often be found in offices, libraries, and educational institutions. A laser printer is worth purchasing if:
- you need a device for the office;
- you want to print large documents;
- you want a printer for your home, but will rarely use it;
- you don't really need color printing capabilities;
- you are ready to spend more money.
