Inkjet printer or laser printer? The two technologies compared

by Uae Technician Computer Services

Are you determined to buy a printer but don't know where to start? First of all, you should know that there are two types: inkjet (commonly called "inkjet") or laser. One does not exclude the other in terms of utility, the purchase of one of the two types depends very much on your needs and your spending possibilities. But first, let's see how they differ.

Differences between inkjet printer and laser printer

The inkjet printer uses cartridges in which there is liquid ink that is sprayed through nozzles on the supports. Print jobs may initially seem wet just because of the liquid component of the ink. Generally, the inkjet printer can be used with different types of paper and in different formats but is relatively slow.

The laser printer has a much higher processing speed than the inkjet printer and uses toner. They do not contain liquid ink but in powder form which is imprinted on the supports through an electrostatic charge that heats it. The end result is an immediately dry print. Usually, laser printers do not support many types of paper and formats and initially were designed to work only in black and white, but the latest models can also print in color.

Cost differences

Ironically, the prices of the printers themselves are equated with the corresponding management and consumption costs. In the case of inkjet printers, they are sold at more affordable prices but their consumption are considerable and the original cartridges cost a lot even if, in recent times, it has been solved thanks to the introduction on the market of less expensive compatible products or rechargeable kits.

On the contrary, laser printers are normally more expensive as well as toners but the initial cost is amortized overtime thanks to a saving in consumption, is less the amount of ink used making them longer-lived.

The difference between the inkjet liquid ink and the laser powder ink should not be underestimated: in the first case, if it is not assiduous and continuous, it risks drying out, forcing you to buy a set of new cartridges, which hardly happens in the second case since the toners are less prone to deteriorate.

Method of employment

As well as their structural differences, the areas in which they are used also differ. Inkjet printers are more versatile and ideal for graphic works or photo prints.

Laser printers are used in purely black and white jobs on large quantities since they allow for savings on consumption and are able to be much more defined with these two colors.

 

If the use you make of the printer is sporadic or based only on simple text documents, we recommend the purchase of a laser model, thus not having to worry about the ink conservation status.

If, on the other hand, you need to use the printer for color illustrations, it aims at an inkjet because it works better on the polychromatic sector.

Printer Maintenance

Even if you are not a Printer technician, you need to know the little things to keep your printer operational regardless of the model. The precautions to be taken are different.

You have previously learned that inkjet printers spray liquid ink through nozzles; to prevent them from drying out, it is sufficient to do a test print once a week to keep the heads operational. You should also know that there are also two types of cartridges: monoblock and non-block type cartridges. The former incorporates the print head directly into the printer cartridge while the others do not.

If the printer becomes clogged and the cartridges have become unusable, simply replace them if they are monoblock; if they are cartridges that do not incorporate the head, it is very likely that the printer is no longer usable since replacing the heads in this case would cost too much in relation to the price of the printer itself. Other tricks you need to take with the inkjet are to cover it with a cloth to avoid dust deposits and do not place it in a too dry environment, given the water-based ink compound.

In contrast, laser printers should be placed in well-ventilated rooms given the powdered ink contained in the toner. They require less attention given that they are still functional months later. They may require replacement of the toner in case of dust or printing roll loss.

As you may have noticed, juggling with the choice can be complicated, because both products are certainly valid and convenient, it will be up to you to decide which printer will be placed on your personal desk.

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Created on Dec 17th 2019 05:53. Viewed 5,308 times.

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