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