In this era of dematerialization and mobile data storage, the computer printer has remained an essential computing tool. This applies to both professional and personal use. Although there are several printer models with numerous features, one stands out from the rest. This is the laser printer. Why is it indispensable for an office? Let’s zoom in on the question.
So, what is a laser printer?
The first characteristic of a laser printer is that it operates with toner. This distinguishes it from other models such as inkjet printers, which use ink cartridges. From a technical standpoint, this is the difference that average users like you should know.
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Unlike other printer models, which use liquid ink, its ink is in powder form. Therefore, when you want to refill the ink in your laser printer, you buy a toner and not cartridges. That said, there are two types of laser printers. One that only prints and a second multifunction model, which in addition to printing, can scan and make photocopies. Moreover, these two different models are available in black and white or color printing.How to choose a color laser printer? To choose the one that suits you, you need to consider the following points.
What are the advantages of a laser printer?
Using a laser printer is very advantageous, and this applies on many fronts. Here are the main ones.
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Cost-effective: the cost of a laser print is much lower than that of an inkjet print. For example, depending on the brand, a toner can cost between €20 and €30 for printing over 2000 pages. In contrast, you would need to spend more than €20 to buy a cartridge that can print up to 300 pages.
Long lifespan: it is specifically designed for intensive use. Despite this, its lifespan is greater than that of other printer models. When everything is going well, you can use an inkjet printer for 2 or 3 years. In contrast, a laser printer can last over 6 years.
Good printing speed: the speed of a laser printer is defined by the number of pages it prints per minute. That said, a laser printer can print an average of 20 to 50 pages. In contrast, the average for an inkjet printer is 10 to 12 pages per minute.
Good paper tray capacity: this is a very important point that should not be overlooked. The paper tray of a laser printer can hold more than 500 sheets. Generally, it is protected from dust. Therefore, there are fewer crumpled sheets and less dust when it is not used frequently.
Good ink quality: this is one of the main advantages of a laser printer. Even if you don’t use it for months, the powder ink remains in perfect condition since it never deteriorates. In contrast to that of an inkjet printer, which eventually dries out over time.