Selecting the right printer for your company or for your personal use can be a daunting task. Many factors need to be considered when selecting a printer. Nowadays most people prefer to purchase all-in-one printers-also known as multifunction machines- because they reduce desk space and save money; separate machines don’t need to be purchased. All-in-one printers perform multiple functions such as printing, copying and scanning. Two major types of all-in-one-printers available on the market are three-in-one printers and four-in-one models. A three-in-one printer can copy, scan and print while a four-in-one version has an additional fax function. Let’s compare the different kinds of printers available on the market before you decide if an all- in one- printer is the best choice for you.
Inkjet printers: Benefits
- Non-impact printers.
- Smaller in size as compared to other printers.
- Good for printing pictures as compared to laser printers.
- Make less sound than matrix printers.
- Easy to use.
- Cheaper as compared to laser printers.
- Not suitable for mass production.
- Ink cartridges are expensive to replace.
- Slow printing speed.
- Problem of ink bleeding causing blurring effect on the printed material.
Laser Printers: Benefits
- Faster to use than Inkjet printers.
- Good resolution.
- Cost effective to use since cartridges are not replaced as often as in Inkjet printers.
- More suitable for mass production as compared to Inkjet printers.
- No problem of ink bleeding on the printed material.
- Expensive as compared to Inkjet printers.
- Does not produce high quality photo print-outs.
- Takes more time to print as compared to Inkjet printers.
- Heavier than Inkjet printers and larger in size.
- Save costs by integrating printing, faxing, copying or scanning in one printer.
- Save space because you no longer have to purchase separate devices.
- Provide ease of maintenance; one machine is easier than three.
- Save power by combining three devices in one.
All-in-one Printers: Drawbacks
- If one single function does not work other functions will also not work.
- More costly than Inkjet and Laser printers.
- Take more space as compared to Inkjet and Laser printers.
If you decide to choose an all-in-one printer, you need to keep three things in mind while purchasing it.
Print Features:
First of all, decide if you need Inkjet or Laser print technology. Print resolution should be kept in mind; if you need to print huge amounts of color prints Inkjet printers should be preferred. Print speed is also important; color printing takes more time on Inkjet printers.
Scanning features:
If you need to scan large amounts of documents, check the all-in-one printer’s scanning resolution. The higher the numbers are, the better your scan results will be.
Wireless Connectivity:
If you need to print or scan documents from multiple sources, an all-in-one printer with a built-in Wi-Fi system will be a sound choice. No cables will be needed to connect the printer to your PC or laptop.
