More and more we hear this is the Digital Age, but the reality is that more often than not, almost everything we create digitally finds its way into print. For most offices and some homes, laser printers are the most cost-effective way to manage your printing needs. Inkjet printers may carry low upfront price tags, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best printer for your needs over the long term. How do you know if a laser or color laser printer is the right choice for you? Pronto’s Laser Printer Buying Guide explains it all so you can make an informed purchase (see also Inkjet Standard Printer Buying Guide, Inkjet Photo Printer Buying Guide, Multifunction Printer Buying Guide).
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Laser printers are the workhorses of the business world and offer users the best quality and speed for the price. Users planning on printing for professional correspondence or prepress should choose a laser printer.
Monochrome or color?
If you’re considering color only for the option to print photos—think again. Inkjet photo print quality is noticeably better than color laser. Most choose monochrome because on the need to cost effectively print lots of text.
Quality
The more dots per inch, the sharper the print job. Monochrome printer resolution maxes out at 1200 x 1200 or 600 x 600 but these scales are more than adequate for printing text and graphics. Color laser printer resolution can be as high as 2400 x 1200 which enhances the sharpness and details of the final color print.
Memory
Memory helps dictate how quickly the printer prints and the quality of print it produces. More memory allows you to print more complex documents faster and often, at a higher resolution. Memory upgrades are fairly inexpensive, so if you choose a lower end model with less memory, look for one that can accept memory upgrades.
Output Capacity
Laser printer trays can hold anywhere from 150 to 500 sheets of paper Most laser printers provide the option of adding extra trays which makes using multiple papers more convenient than single-tray printers.
The Hewlett Packard LaserJet 1320 is a fantastic black and white (monochrome) work horse. At 25+ pages per minute, this Pronto Pick will suit most needs. Also, this model features an “economy mode” that saves ink if you are just printing drafts. Accommodating a whopping 500 pages, you won’t waste time changing paper! This was a higher end model that has recently come down in price. Bargains can be had for less than $350, but be sure to check accessories before you purchase.
The Hewlett Packard LaserJet 1320 is a fantastic black and white (monochrome) work horse. At 25+ pages per minute, this Pronto Pick will suit most needs. Also, this model features an “economy mode” that saves ink if you are just printing drafts. Accommodating a whopping 500 pages, you won’t waste time changing paper! This was a higher end model that has recently come down in price. Bargains can be had for less than $350, but be sure to check accessories before you purchase.
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Network World - says the (monochrome) Brother HL-5250DN Printer’s “fast printing, fine output quality, and a built-in duplexer make this networked laser a great value for the money.” Source: Network World
CNET Editors - The LexMark C532N Printer “With fast speeds and impressive print quality, the Lexmark C532dn is a great color laser printer for the price. We prefer it over a more expensive color printer from the competition.” Source: CNet
PC World Best Buy - Dell Color Laser Printer “A low price and great-looking photo quality helps this model stand out, but its toner cartridges are expensive.” Source: PC World
hot buzzWhat's the latest in the world of laser printers?
You can go green and make money at the same time. Once you are done with your laser cartridge, you can recycle it by selling it to a cartridge buying business. Many of the businesses buy in bulk, and even offer fundraising programs for schools and other non-profits that need to raise money. Tonerbuyer.com is family owned, and has been in business over twenty years. www.tonerbuyer.com
Entry-level monochrome laser printers ($100-250) like the feature the basics in connectivity (USB 2.0 interface), average resolution (600x600 monochrome max), 150 sheet tray capacity, 2 MB memory, and single cartridge ink/toner configuration.Good Pick: HP LaserJet 1020 Laser Printer
Step it up to mid-level models ($250-500) and you get color as well as black-and-white printing capabilities. Resolution is similar to entry-level models (600x600), but you’ll get larger tray capacity (250 sheets) and more memory (16MB). You’ll also need to calculate the ink/toner costs for four cartridges. Good Pick: HP LaserJet 1600 Laser Printer
At the higher end your dollars ($500+) get you the ability to print in color, higher resolution for black-and-white printing (1200x1200 max) and more than double the memory of mid-level models (64MB). Good Pick: LexMark C532N
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Dots per Inch (dpi)
The more dots of ink thrown per inch, the better the printout or resolution. Monochrome printer resolution maxes out at 1200 x 1200 or 600 x 600 but these scales are more than adequate for printing text and graphics. Color laser printer resolution can be as high as 2400 x 1200 which enhances the sharpness and details of the final color print.
Pages per Minute (ppm)
Printing speed is measured in pages per minute (ppm), but don’t be fooled by manufacturers’ claims: advertised printing speeds are faster than what users actually experience. The complexity of the print job—a black-and-white text-only letter versus four color-graphics or even heavy grayscale line art, for example—is what ultimately determines printer speed.
Memory (Printer RAM)
Memory helps dictate how quickly the printer prints and the quality of print it produces. More memory allows you to print better and at a higher resolution.Duplexing. A printer’s ability to print on both sides of the paper. Most printer models today do not have duplexing by default, but offer add-on hardware for duplexing. An add-on like this adds to the upfront cost, however, duplex printing may reduce costs over time by reducing the amount of paper you use.
When you buy your laser printer, make sure to look at the dimensions carefully! I was shopping based on budget ($200), and I wound up with a laser printer that is HUGE. It is the size of an "office" model. The upside, is the laser ink cartridges probably will last years. Don't just shop print... more »
