The laser printer is known for its printing speed. It can combine the functions of a scanner and copier into a single device. This makes it less bulky and relatively cheaper in the long run. At the intersection of supply and demand for laser printers, you will encounter many models. Here’s how to make a wise choice!
Criteria for choosing your laser printer
For a better choice, you should make a comparison of the best color laser printers taking into account the following criteria:
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Printing speed and monthly capacity
It is thanks to the printing speed of the device that you can print large volumes in record time. This speed is expressed in ppm (pages per minute). For laser printers, you will find models capable of printing from 20 to 60 ppm. However, it should be noted that this speed varies for the same printer depending on whether you are printing in draft mode or optimal quality.
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Be vigilant about the data provided by the manufacturer, as it often concerns low-quality prints. The monthly capacity is also important to avoid reducing the lifespan of the device. When the printer needs to print more than what the manufacturer indicates, be prepared to regularly change a certain number of parts. Depending on the model, printers can print between 2,000 and 100,000 pages per month.
Resolution and memory
Resolution refers to the number of pixels that can be printed per square inch. It is expressed in dpi (dots per inch), and printing becomes more precise as this resolution increases. For simple printing, a 600 dpi laser printer will suffice. For color printing, you should opt for one that has at least 1200 dpi. This way, you will have images of satisfactory quality. Laser printers store each page in its entirety before proceeding to print.
The RAM memory capacity is therefore crucial for printing large volumes. For simple text, a memory of 512 KB will be enough, but for images, you need to have at least 2 or 4 MB of RAM. Models capable of printing large volumes have memories that reach several GB. Moreover, it is possible with most laser printers to increase their memory capacity.
The technology of the device
Laser printers use either carousel technology or tandem technology. With the first, the device makes a pass for each primary color and one pass for black for every printed page. This technique allows contemporary printers to perform monochrome printing four times faster than color printing. The second technology makes a single pass per page and deposits the primary colors and black all at once. It is therefore faster in both color and monochrome. This technology is expensive to maintain.
Additionally, you should choose printers with large paper trays and opt for a printer that is more quiet. Finally, you need to calculate the cost per page. This is the ratio of the cartridge price to the number of pages printed with a cartridge. Also, you should know the total cost of ownership, which includes the purchase price, costs of consumables, maintenance, and electricity consumption.