3 Things You Need To Know Before You Buy A New Printer

If you're planning on buying a new computer printer, then you need to read this article. You will learn what type of printer is best for your needs, how the printer companies get you on the hook for hundreds of dollars, and how you can save money no matter what brand and model you choose.

There are essentially two types of printers - laser and inkjet. Laser printer are available in black and white or color, while inkjet printers are pretty much all color models these days.

Laser printers cost less to operate. The toner cartridges which hold the "ink" will last dozens or even hundreds of times longer than the typical inkjet cartridge. They cost quite a bit more to replace, but when you consider the cost per page over the life of the cartridge, they're a lot less expensive to operate.

Inkjet printers, on the other hand, are quite a bit more expensive to operate, although if you only print black and white there are some models that are similar to laser printers. But if you want to print photo quality output, inkjet printers are the way to go. Color laser printers just won't do as good a job with photos.

Printer companies are a lot like drug dealers. They practically give you the first "hit" and get you hooked, and then charge you an arm and a leg from then on. When you buy a printer, you often pay less than you would for a set of replacement cartridges once the ink runs out. They're really giving the printer away so you have to buy the ink to keep it working.

Fortunately, there are a couple of ways to save money on ink cartridges. You can refill your own cartridges, which can be difficult and messy with some models but is definitely the cheapest option, or you can buy generic ink cartridges from various companies that specialize in them.

They basically do the dirty work - cleaning up and refilling the cartridges - so you don't have to. You'll pay a little more than with your own refills, but in most cases it's worth the extra money.

Look at how you're going to be using the printer and how much printing you expect to do before deciding on a type and model. Whether you choose inkjet or laser, and what type of ink cartridges you choose to use in it, will make a big difference in the total cost over the life of the printer.