| Choosing an output device (notice I did not | | | | (how many pages you can get out of them) is. |
| say "printer") is an arduous task indeed: | | | | If a cartridge costs $45 and yields 450 |
| inkjet, laser, LED, 3-in-1, 5-in-one, | | | | sheets, it will start getting expensive. If |
| 7-in-one, photo printers, MFPs..... the | | | | you do not need anything other than straight |
| choices are seemingly endless.. To make | | | | B/W printing, then get an entry-level laser |
| matters worse, the employee at the big retail | | | | LED printer. They now come with a very good |
| computer/electronics store has held the job | | | | price tag (under $200) and are very |
| for less than a week and is a lot more | | | | cost-effective.C - 250 to 1000 sheets per |
| knowledgeable about PlayStation than anything | | | | month: In this case, there is no doubt you |
| else. So what do you do? Here's a little | | | | need to get a laser or LED since it does not |
| quick guide to help you sift through most of | | | | make any kind of sense to get an inkjet - the |
| the choices.These tips are based on how much | | | | cost will be much higher. If you can, try to |
| paper you use per month. If you do not know | | | | get a Multi-function, but remember to do your |
| (I wouldn't if somebody asked me), then think | | | | homework on cartridge cost vs. yield - and do |
| of how often you buy paper and how much; then | | | | not let the comparatively lower cartridge |
| divide by the appropriate timeframe. Regular | | | | cost fool you (a $280 cartridge with a 5000 |
| office paper (A4, letter- or legal-size) | | | | page yield is a lot better than a $120 |
| normally comes in 500-page reams or 2500 or | | | | cartridge with a 1000 page yield). Also, get |
| 5000-sheet boxes. If you buy a 2500-sheet (5 | | | | a system that is suited to your primary |
| ream) box once a quarter, you therefore use | | | | application: do not get a fax-based system if |
| 833 sheets per month.A - Less than 50 sheets | | | | 90% of your usage will be copying.D - Over |
| per month: Get as cheap an inkjet as you can | | | | 1000 sheets per month: In this case, your |
| - just make sure there are store-brand or | | | | best bet is to call 3 or 4 office-equipment |
| knockoff cartridge brands readily available | | | | providers, as they will guide you towards the |
| so you can purchase those as soon as the | | | | best choices according to your needs. Just |
| warranty on your printer runs out. If your | | | | be sure to get 3 or 4 quotes (just to keep |
| printer dies, DO NOT fix it: it will be | | | | them honest) and get an all-inclusive service |
| cheaper to get a new one (which will come | | | | contract; they include toner and all your |
| with a new cartridge pack). I would | | | | services and are typically cheaper (at this |
| personally buy a "multi-function" with a | | | | stage) than buying toner alone for a laser |
| flatbed scanner, as they are now quite cost | | | | system.A few parting words: These tips are |
| effective. The more mainstream the brand, | | | | for basic office use only; if you need |
| the more retailers carry it, the better.B - | | | | oversize paper (11x17 or A3), o photo-quality |
| 50 to 250 sheets per month: If your usage | | | | finishes for pre-press, these tips are not |
| dictates that you need colour and/or a | | | | for you. Also, I do not recommend refilling |
| multi-function (any combination of 2 of the | | | | laser cartridges, as the systems themselves |
| following: printer/fax/scanner/copier), then | | | | are somewhat of an investment and can be |
| definitely get a multi-function inkjet. | | | | picky. For inkjets, however, since the |
| However, before you do, do some research (15 | | | | machines themselves are almost disposable |
| minutes on the internet) to determine how | | | | nowadays, it should not be a major issue. |
| much cartridges cost and what their yield | | | | |