It should be noted right away that inkjet printers are cheaper than laser counterparts. They are easy to refill, ink is inexpensive. It would seem that the choice is obvious, but there is a catch! For multi-color printing and photographs, they are not a cost-effective choice, since after 2 refills you will have to buy a cartridge, which is very expensive. To work with photos, users have to additionally buy CISS. Laser printers are much cheaper to maintain, since toner costs tens of times less than a cartridge.
The principle of the inkjet printer
Such products are printed using a special print head having nozzles. Through these small openings, ink enters the fabric, paper or film, soaking into the top layer of the material. As a rule, paint is sold in special cartridges, which eventually have to be replaced. Original ink containers can cost a little less than the printer itself. For obvious reasons, they are simply not practical for color printing. They are more suitable for students and office workers who have to print large amounts of information. An alternative is the installation of a continuous ink supply system aimed at saving consumables.
Advantages and disadvantages
In defense of this type of office equipment, it should be said that modern models are already equipped with CISS. Such inkjet printers do better than laser counterparts with photos, as they have a higher resolution, up to 5760 DPI. Moreover, these products are completely safe for human health and the environment. In addition, an inkjet printer costs about 2 times cheaper than a laser competitor, and it is not picky in terms of choosing a storage medium.
The downside is that such inventions are designed for intensive use, and not from case to case. This is because ink tends to dry on the print head. In addition, the printing technology is imperfect: there are light streaks, prints.
The principle of the laser printer
Such inventions have a more complex structure. On the surface of a durable, rotating drum, zones are formed with an electric charge attracting toner. The last element, in turn, acts as a paint. The powder is baked in the printer at a temperature of 200 degrees with the release of ozone. As a result, users may smell a nasty smell.
For obvious reasons, a color laser printer handles photos and other multi-color images better than an inkjet printer. But you should know that for printing photographs these tools will have to look for special paper.
Advantages and disadvantages
The undoubted advantage of this office equipment is its scope: they are suitable for home, office and specialized institutions. The paint in them does not dry out, they work stably. They can be exploited at any time without worrying about print quality.At the same time, the devices are better suited for color printing, and differ in democratic service.
The problem with laser printers is that the toner needs to be warmed up. Therefore, they start slower than their counterparts. At the same time, they emit harmful substances, unpleasant odors. Standard paper for printing high-quality images is not suitable: it simply melts.
Which printer to choose: inkjet or laser?
In the world of modern marketing, it’s hard to distinguish a myth from reality when it comes to comparing competing products. And the stereotype that one of the printers prints faster is proof of this. You must understand that the speed of work depends solely on the performance of a particular model.
Nevertheless, if you do not know which printer to buy, choosing between laser and inkjet solutions, consider:
- How often do you plan to use the device;
- Are you going to print color documents, photos;
- Is the environmental safety of technology important?
It is obvious that inkjet products are better for families where there are schoolchildren, students. You can refuel them yourself. For professional use in offices, it is more advisable to purchase a laser printer.
