What is the difference between an inkjet MFP and a laser one? Laser or inkjet, what should you choose for yourself? What is the difference between Canon laser MFPs?

"What's better, laser MFP or inkjet?" - a question that worries many. Multifunctional devices were first created in 1977 by the Xerox company. They are intended for printing and copying images. Today, there are laser and inkjet MFPs. They all have their advantages and disadvantages.In order to understand which is better - a laser MFP or an inkjet one, you need to understand the design of these devices. Additionally, a lot depends on the manufacturers.

Laser MFP device

Any color laser MFP for home has a special mirror. The beam from the drum hits him. There is also a large image drum that wraps paper around itself. The toner is installed nearby, and with its help the image is directly transferred to the page. For this purpose, there is additionally a special transfer roller. At the back of the laser device there is a stove that brings the paper to a certain temperature. This is enough to burn the toner and fix the image on the sheet.

A primary charge shaft is provided for waste powder. Additionally, there is a squeegee for cleaning the photodrum from toner. Also, all laser devices have a blade that protects the paper. The toner compartment of laser MFPs consists of a seal, a hopper and a seal. At the same time, there is a system that monitors the uniform distribution of toner on the paper.

How do inkjet devices work?

For the most part, inkjet MFPs have a similar design. They include the printing mechanism, paper feeding system and control unit. Manufacturers also establish a control scheme that different models is different. The printing mechanism consists of a head, which is located in the center of the inkjet MFP. There are also ink cartridges that come in different types. Next, a motor is installed, which is responsible for rotating the head. A belt is connected to it for these purposes. Lastly, there is a stabilizer rod in the printing mechanism. It is necessary for accurate printing and is responsible for the vibrations that occur inside the head.

The paper supply system consists of a tray and rollers. Additionally, there is a separate motor for scrolling the sheet. The paper itself passes through the rollers inside the inkjet MFP.

The power supplies of the above devices are usually standard. Previously, bulky transformers were used for this purpose. These days, power supplies don't take up much space. The control system of the inkjet MFP is presented in the form of an electrical circuit. Her job is to decode the data. Additionally, the control system allows you to transfer information to a personal computer and back.

Some models of inkjet MFPs are also installed. In other cases, they are replaced by a serial device. Manufacturers can also install small ports computing systems. There are two types of ink spray technology in string MFPs. The first is the thermal bubble system. Most often it can be found in models of the Canon and Hewlett Packard. The second type of atomization is called a piezoelectric system. It is based on the work of special piezocrystals. This technology was patented by Epson.

Advantages of laser models

The main advantage of laser MFPs is fast printing. If we talk about large volumes of work, then this is simply an irreplaceable device. In this regard, it is very superior to regular MFPs. However, it is the first sheet of paper that will take a long time. This fact is associated with the need to warm up the photodrum. The second advantage lies in the simplicity of the device. The need for its repair occurs extremely rarely, and it is quite simple to maintain. Unlike inkjet MFPs, there is no need to constantly worry about ink problems.

What are the disadvantages of laser devices?

Color laser MFPs for the home, of course, also have disadvantages. First of all, it hits the pocket hard. You can especially notice the difference if you choose a color laser MFP. Additionally, it takes up a lot of space, and it is quite difficult to place it on the table. Another drawback lies in the cartridges of laser MFPs. Like the devices themselves, they are expensive on the market. Despite their large resource, sometimes it is the price of cartridges that stops many potential buyers.

Pros of inkjet models

The main advantage of inkjet MFPs is their low cost. Most models are available to absolutely everyone. Moreover, the housings of these devices are quite compact. All this allows you to place the inkjet MFP almost on the edge of the table. Plus, they print the first page much faster than laser ones. Taking this into account, if we talk about one document, then inkjet MFPs are the leaders here.

Additionally, it is possible to supply cartridges directly, which are very cheap. By the way, you can refuel them absolutely independently without any problems. You can print on different types of paper. The ink adheres perfectly to both matte and glossy surfaces. The final advantage of inkjet MFPs lies in print quality. It is simply excellent, and if we talk about photographs, then ink is simply irreplaceable in this situation.

Cons of inkjet devices

Unfortunately, inkjet MFPs also have disadvantages. First of all, this is the printing speed. If you have to work with a large volume, then it will take a long time. Some models are close to the speed of laser MFPs, but there is a problem. The second drawback lies in the maintenance of these devices. The ink often dries out and has to be replaced. In some cases, you just need to replace the cartridge. To solve the problem, you need to periodically use inkjet MFPs to warm up. This will always waste ink.

Hewlett Packard laser models

“Which MFP is better to choose?” - a complex question, but Hewlett Packard has long established itself on the positive side, and it has something to offer. Laser models of this brand differ from others in their reliability. It is possible to work with paper of various densities. The average print speed is 25 pages per minute.

Additionally, many models are equipped with a fax. OS supports a wide variety. Additionally, you can note the user-friendly interface. On average, the memory of these devices is 128 MB. In general, they can be described as productive. The most popular model is the Hewlett Packard M1536dnf. This laser MFP has good reviews from customers.

Hewlett Packard Inkjet Products

In terms of print resolution parameters, Hewlett Packard inkjet MFPs are significantly superior to laser models. It is possible to print on photo paper, as well as gloss. Additionally, there is a function for optimized resolution of work with personal computer. A variety of paper sizes can be skipped. However, the recommended sheet density is 75 g per square meter. m. On average, the printing speed is 4 pages per minute. In turn, the first sheet is ready in 24 seconds. The boundaries of the printing area are quite extensive. You can also select a wide range of colors.

Power consumption is insignificant and allows you to save money. When in operation, the Hewlett Packard inkjet MFP consumes approximately 10 W. At the same time, only 2 W are consumed in standby mode. Also, in many models, manufacturers have installed a sleep mode system. When activated, the Hewlett Packard inkjet MFP consumes 0.9 W. One of the features is the presence of special contact image sensors. In general, the color depth is approximately 24 bits. Additionally, there is a scanning input mode. Copy speed is 4.5 sheets per minute.

How are Canon laser MFPs different?

Many models have a good maximum print resolution. This figure came very close to Canon inkjet MFPs. Additionally, we can note the good quality of document scanning. A wide variety of paper formats and densities are allowed. However, there is, of course, no opportunity to work with photo paper or a matte surface. The average print speed is 23 pages per minute.

Typically, MFPs laser Canon equipped with fax. The printing boundaries are quite extensive: the top, bottom and sides are 5 mm. Management is generally satisfactory. Many models are equipped with a convenient display for this purpose. The total memory of most models is at 256 MB. Operating systems support a variety. However, the Canon laser MFP consumes quite a lot of power. In operating condition, the device consumes approximately 500 W. In standby mode, power consumption is 5.4 W.

All this makes us think about the cost-effectiveness of laser MFPs. Moreover, their dimensions are quite impressive. On average, a Canon laser MFP model has a height of 390 mm, a length of 440 mm, and a depth of 360 mm. In this case, the weight of the device will be approximately 12 kg. The Canon MF217W model (laser MFP) is perfect for home use.

Canon inkjet models

Most Canon inkjet MFPs boast good optical resolution. In this case, the droplet size is 2 pl. The density of printing paper is allowed from 64 to 105 g per square meter. m. Additionally, it is possible to work with photo paper. On average, a Canon inkjet MFP model produces 10 sheets per minute. If we talk about color printing, That this parameter drops to 6 sheets per minute. In turn, photo printing takes an average of 44 seconds. Additionally, you can highlight the ability to print without borders. The interface is generally pleasant and many will like it.

You can also highlight the cost-effectiveness of inkjet MFP models. On average, only 0.7 W is consumed. When copying, the Canon inkjet MFP consumes only 0.19 W. The dimensions of most models are quite compact. On average, the height of the device is 300 mm, the length is 440 mm, and the depth is only 150 mm. In this case, the weight of the device is on average 5.5 kg. The Canon MG4240 model is in greatest demand. This MFP has only positive reviews.

Summarizing

"Which is better - laser MFP or inkjet?" - a question to which there is no clear answer. However, first of all, it is necessary to determine the requirements that will be imposed on the device. If you look from the point of view of print quality, then the leaders in this regard are inkjet MFPs. They are simply irreplaceable for working with photographs.

However, this class of equipment is definitely not suitable for offices. Documents must be printed quickly. In this case, there should be no problems with the device. From this point of view, laser MFPs are clearly becoming the leader. Considering all of the above, the question is: “Which is better - a laser MFP or an inkjet one?” - must be considered on a case by case basis.

1. Printer: functional features
2. Types of printing devices
3. Laser printer
4. Inkjet printer
5. Which color printer is better: laser or inkjet
6. Laser or jet printer: main conclusions

Today, a printing device is far from a luxury, but an important necessity. The lineup There is a wide range of such devices available on the modern market. But, on the other hand, such a huge variety increases the complexity of choice. Among the most frequently asked questions– the following: inkjet or laser printer, which is better? How to understand the functionality and technical specifications device? What are the disadvantages and advantages of certain models? All this is discussed in detail in our publication.

Printer: functional features

Color printer - technical device, the main purpose of which is concentrated in transferring information from electronic to solid media, that is, to paper. Print using of this device You can not only text documents, but also photographs. Among the most popular printers are MFPs; such multifunctional devices can combine several functions at once: scanning, printing, copying. A separate category consists of devices with telefax.

Types of printing devices

There are several criteria based on which we can distinguish different types printing equipment:

Nature of work;
Specifics of color layout;
Type of ink and source material being printed.

Depending on the base of the ink used, printers can be:

Oil-based (in industry for marking);
Water-based (in domestic and office environments);
Pigment (used in photo printing, as they provide high quality images that are created);
Solvent (for outdoor advertising);
Thermal transfer (to apply an image to fabric).

Laser printer

Laser printing technology was first developed at the beginning of the last century. At that time it was called electrography, a little later another name appeared - xerography. An important feature of such printing is the high quality of the source material, good speed, and low cost per unit of printout.

The central link in the operating principle of this device is the photodrum, the main property of which is to maintain the electric charge corresponding to each point on its surface. A beam from a special scanner hits the mirror. As a result, the surface of the photodrum becomes positive charge. These charged areas create an image. Coloring powder (toner) spills onto the drum and then creates a pattern, concentrating on charged points. After this, under the influence of pressure and high temperatures, the image is fixed on paper.

As a result, speed and quality increase significantly. In addition, the printed material has increased resistance to external influences. This pattern will not deteriorate due to moisture, and the color will not fade.

Important advantages laser printer are the following:

Low cost per printed page;
High speed;
Can be used for work that involves printing voluminous text material;
Can be used for increased loads;
Does not require frequent refueling;
Provides a print that is resistant to moisture;
You can print on virtually any type of paper without compromising quality.

The disadvantages of a laser printer are:

High price:
High energy consumption;
Inability to use for photo printing;
The possibility of refueling at home is excluded;
Intended for printing black and white images and texts;
Toner is harmful to health, so it is recommended to always ventilate the room after finishing work.

Jet printer

The technology of applying an image to a sheet is very similar to the matrix technology, but there is an important difference - instead of needles, a print head with a special liquid ink is used. The image itself is created using dots. In this case, the print head can be located in the device itself or attached directly to the cartridge.

The advantages of an inkjet printer are as follows:

Lower cost of the device;
Lower level of energy consumption (if a laser device requires 300-500 W, then, on average, an inkjet device requires 20-30 W);
Even inexpensive models are equipped with wide functionality - a card reader, printing photos directly from the camera without the use of a personal computer. Some devices support printing via WIFI.
Good color rendering quality;
Support for various digital media;
The ink used for refilling is environmentally friendly and does not harm health;
Large model range;
Compact dimensions.

The disadvantages of an inkjet printer are:

Relatively high price printed material;
Such a device requires frequent ink replacement under conditions of intensive use.
This device must be used systematically, otherwise the ink becomes unusable;
Increased sensitivity to paper quality and selected print settings;
The operating speed of the device is quite slow;
Instability of the printed material to moisture.

Which color printer is better: laser or inkjet?

It is important for you to purchase a high-quality printing device, but you still haven’t decided which printer is better: laser or inkjet? In this case, carefully study the characteristics of both devices:

Price. Buying a cheaper printing device is easy. But it’s more difficult to calculate what the cost per page will be. In this regard, there is only one leader – electrographic technology. In fact, it is not more economical in terms of ink consumption and is not very sensitive to paper quality.
Speed. If we compare inkjet and electrographic printing, the latter is the undoubted leader. However, if you plan to use such a device periodically, for example, once a week, then this difference will not become any fundamental point for you.
Level of permissible loads. The load volume of inkjet printing technology is limited by the amount of ink that remains, this problem partially solved thanks to the continuous ink supply system. For laser printers this issue is not too acute.
Character of the filling. Regardless of which device you choose, sooner or later you will face the problem of refilling ink. Refilling an inkjet printer is not difficult, the main thing is to learn not to spill ink on yourself. Over time you will be able to learn this. With toner everything is much more complicated. After all, it is toxic, so refueling can only be done in specially equipped rooms.

Laser or inkjet printer: main conclusions

When thinking about what is best for your home, be sure to take into account the specific purposes for which you plan to buy this device. Regardless of which type of device (laser or inkjet) you like best, the selection factors will be the same:

Manufacturing company. It is better, of course, to opt for time-tested brands that have proven themselves well in the market.
Warranty obligations. When purchasing, check whether the manufacturing company is ready to fulfill warranty obligations, what is the warranty period and is there a corresponding service center in your city.
Availability Supplies and spare parts. Consider whether the high cost of spare parts and consumables will become a real burden for you.
Character of performance. As a rule, the packaging of printing devices indicates maximum amount impressions per month. If you plan to use your printer very often, then roughly calculate how many pages you will print per month. For example, if you need about 5,000 pages, then it is better to choose a printer that indicates a higher number - 6,000, no less.
Functional. Do not buy a printer on the principle of “it’s good for what it’s worth”, that is, if you don’t need some functionality, it’s better not to buy this type of device, you don’t need to overpay.
Features of service. It is important that you can refill the device yourself and not spend money on buying new cartridges every time.

There is no clear answer to the question of which printer is better, laser or inkjet. After all, everything depends on individual characteristics. So, as always, the choice is yours.

This question is also asked by managers of small offices when choosing office equipment for printing documentation. Today, manufacturers have so saturated the market of printing devices that it can be very difficult to decide which is better for printing documents - an inkjet or a laser printer. To do this, you first need to study all the advantages and disadvantages of different models.

Many users do not know the differences between these products. To quickly sort out all the ambiguities, we suggest you carefully read this article, where you will find answers to numerous questions.

Before choosing a device for printing documents, you need to understand their operating principle:

A laser device is based on transferring content from cartridges to a sheet of paper. First, a magnetized roller applies toner to the main drum, and then the design is transferred to paper, where it firmly adheres to the surface when exposed to instantaneous heating in a special device. The whole process happens quite quickly.
The inkjet analogue works on special ink that gets to the right place through capillary nozzles, creating text or a complex image. The printing speed is noticeably lower, but the quality is much higher.

When comparing, it is necessary to take into account all indicators, and not just the positive and negative qualities inherent in each type. For example, the laser version is characterized by the following advantages:

easy to use;
quite high printing speed;
Duplex printing possible;
long operation;
low printing cost.

His opponent has his advantages:

fairly low sound impact on others;
high quality color printing;
low power consumption;
budget price of the product.

As a result: the choice of device remains purely individual, because for the office you need a fast and inexpensive to maintain option, such as a laser, and in a home environment, an inkjet, and even with CISS, will be a much higher priority.

Features, pros and cons of each

On a laser device, the surface of the drum is charged with a plus sign, and the coloring powder spills out of the cartridge during rotation, focusing on the plus points - as a result, the desired pattern is created. Then a quick, specific treatment fixes it to paper.

Advantages:

low cost per printed page;
high speed of drawing;
you can print voluminous text materials;
not afraid of increased loads;
no need to refill cartridges frequently;
prints are resistant to moisture;
Prints on any paper without loss of quality.

Negative qualities:

very high cost;
high energy consumption;
Cartridges cannot be refilled at home;
Toner is very harmful to health, you need to ventilate the room after printing.

The inkjet counterpart uses an ink head instead of needles, like a matrix printer, and the image is created using a set of dots.

Advantages:

low price compared to the laser option;
low electrical energy consumption - more than 10 times;
all models are equipped with a card reader that allows printing directly from the camera, without a PC, and some models can receive images via Wi-Fi;
excellent color printing quality;
supports various digital media;
ink is not harmful to health;
wide range of models;
compact sizes.

high cost of printing each page;
frequent replacement of cartridges during intensive use;
it is necessary to use the device frequently, otherwise the ink will dry out;
quite high sensitivity to print settings and the quality of paper used;
slow speed;
If exposed to moisture, the printed material will be damaged.

Based on the data provided, each user decides for himself which office equipment to buy for his needs.

Which one is more effective for black and white printing?

Printers come in various modifications, so choosing the best option for the home is quite a difficult matter; it is even more difficult to buy such a device for the office, where quality, speed, and most importantly, print clarity play a paramount role. The requirements for office equipment are improving and increasing every year.

Experts assure that laser analogues have a fairly high resolution, unique contrast and high brightness. To test these judgments, you need to print a document with different fonts in the text, for example, the main one is 12, and the small one is size six. The inkjet version will merge small text together, and the laser version, which belongs to electrographic technologies, will print all the text clearly, preserving all the smallest details.

Laser printing technology is based on xerography technology, which was founded in the late 30s of the last century. The main emphasis was placed on the individual properties of the photosensitive material. We will not go into technical nuances, because there are too many specific terms that will not be clear to all readers.

The laser ensures ultra-high-speed movement of the carriage, and the resulting text is highly accurate and has a fairly high resolution, so you can print graphics and small explanatory text simultaneously on the page. An individual PostScript programming language has been specially developed for laser devices.

The language for describing pages (Postscript) is recognized by operational Windows systems and Linux, but the American company Hewlett-Packard (HP) has created its own separate development of a language for controlling PCL printers, which gives more options for printing unique texts. Therefore, devices from HP are different best quality and reliability among a galaxy of laser products.

Color printing - what products are needed for it

Here, inkjet printing devices with CISS are undoubtedly the leaders; laser analogues in price and photo printing are far behind. If you are looking for a printer to print color photographs, simple text, so that the price is low, then you should choose the inkjet option, because in matters of color rendering it has no equal.

To really save on very expensive ink, install CISS, after which you can safely print any documents and color photos. To work at home with text documents The Epson XP-420 MFP is suitable, and the multifunctional XP-620 model is ideal for photo prints.

For office work suitable MFP Epson WorkForce WF-7610 or WF-7110 with a maximum print format of A3+. For professional photographers, the Epson 1500W, Stylus Photo R2000 or R3000 models are needed.

Which MFP is better - color or laser?

Experts in this complex field of activity give the following recommendations:

If you have a small office, then you need to purchase the Ricoh SP 3600SF model; it also scans documents well.
The Ricoh MP 305+SP is a little worse at digitizing documents; it is a fairly advanced laser printer, but it cannot print color copies.
If you need a laser unit for black and white printing at home, then the Brother DCP-L2520DWR is what schoolchildren, students, and those who work on the Internet remotely need.
To place an MFP-class color product in a large office, you will need the OKI MC853dn model - it uses LED-type printing.
The OKI MC342dnw color printer with a Wi-Fi text reception system will be suitable for installation in a small office.
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M177fw is suitable for home and small office work, but it is not recommended to load it heavily.

Each manager or user makes their own decision, we only suggest considering best models for different uses.

How to make a choice

The basic selection criteria are the same, no matter what type of printer you like best:

Choose a product proven over years of use trademark, which has long proven itself on the international market only on the positive side.
Carefully read the manufacturer’s warranties, and also find your city in the list of service centers so as not to travel far away if the equipment fails during the warranty period.
Find out the cost of spare parts and consumables so that it is not burdensome for your financial capabilities.
Manufacturers indicate on the packaging the maximum number of prints per month, so it’s quite easy to navigate when purchasing, for example, if you need about 6 thousand pages per month, then purchase a device with a maximum of 7 thousand to create the necessary supply.
Functionality. You should buy a device only with those functions that you will use regularly, so as not to overpay for unnecessary options.
Service. There is no need to constantly spend money on refilling cartridges or purchasing them; buy models where you can change them yourself or install CISS right away.

No one can answer the question for sure which printer is better - laser or inkjet: it depends only on personal preferences and the characteristics of the product.

conclusions

If you want to choose an excellent printer, then first decide what you need it for printing: if only black and white options, then feel free to take the laser option, and for color photographs - only an inkjet unit with high quality print.

A printer is one of the most needed devices for modern users. These devices are produced in a wide range of technological types. What is the difference between a laser and an inkjet printer? In what cases might it be preferable to purchase a matrix device? What are the main criteria for comparing the efficiency of printers?

The differences are in technology

The key aspect of how a laser printer differs from an inkjet printer is that the first type of device uses two main elements of influence on the paper. This is a laser - a high-temperature light beam, as well as a toner - a powdery dye consisting of very small solid particles. In turn, inkjet printers use other basic elements: a dosing-type print head, as well as ink, which, unlike powdered toner, is usually liquid. Let us note that most IT specialists consider it not entirely correct to ask the question whether a laser or inkjet color printer is better. Both have advantages and disadvantages. They're just different.

And therefore, one of the key criteria that determines how a laser printer differs from an inkjet printer is adaptability to the tasks performed by the user. And therefore, in our article we will try not so much to determine the advantages and disadvantages of each type of device, but to find out how optimal one or the other is in terms of its intended purpose.

Technology Features

Let's take a closer look at how the printing process on devices different types carried out in a technological aspect. This will allow us to more clearly compare inkjet and laser printers, as well as understand for which tasks the first or second is optimal. So first, laser printing technology.

As we noted above, it uses a laser and toner. This powdery substance is applied to paper, then immediately heated by a light flux, as a result of which it changes color or shade.

The peculiarity of laser printing technology (if we talk about its household implementation and not industrial use) is that the range of dispersion of toner particles is quite high. As a result, when digital images are reproduced on paper, their quality is not the most ideal. This is why laser printers are not very well suited for printing pictures and photographs. But they are ideal for printing texts, tables, and graphs.

An inkjet printer, as we said, uses ink. The principle of applying them to paper is generally similar to the process of painting a canvas with a brush. The image on an inkjet printer is built line by line.

There is no chemical effect on the ink - once it gets on the paper, it, like paint, simply has to dry. In many printers, this process is accelerated by heating mechanisms.

This technological aspect makes it possible to effectively use inkjet devices specifically for printing pictures and photographs. and the overall quality of images produced on paper is usually significantly higher than when using laser technology.

Ink color factor

Let's consider an aspect that may influence finding the answer to the question of which is better - a laser or inkjet printer in relation to the user's tasks. The fact is that the ink and toner used in devices can be color or black and white. But the printer itself can only support some of them. This can be a significant factor in what to buy - for example, a black and white laser printer or a color inkjet printer. And that's why.

Many IT specialists believe that the classification of printing devices into “laser” and “inkjet” is not detailed enough. The fact is that both printers can be legitimately divided, in turn, into a large number of subtypes. The basis for the corresponding additional classification will be Above, we determined how a laser printer differs from an inkjet printer in key points. Now let’s try to study what a more detailed classification of devices within one technological type could be.

Printer and cartridges

Let's first define what the main printing element of a printer is. It is with the help of the cartridge that the toner is sprayed or the ink is applied to the paper. This item almost always removable and replaceable.

In many cases, it is the cartridges that determine the color of the print, and not the printers themselves. But this is not always the case - we will see why later.

Black and white and color laser printers

There are black and white laser printers. As a rule, they can only accommodate a single type of cartridge. It is capable of pictures using black and white toner particles. Which, when arranged in a certain sequence, can also form one of the shades of gray - with the help of this feature, in particular, printers print photographs and pictures.

Note: most models of laser devices for home use - in particular those in the budget price segment - are those that support only black and white cartridges. They can print anyone and pictures, but on paper they will appear in corresponding colors or shades of gray.

There are laser printers that can work with color toner cartridges. But they are significantly more expensive than black and white ones. Technologically, printing in them is carried out in the same way - using luminous flux and toner. But in this case, the color of photographs and pictures on paper will correspond to the original tones that are present in the digital image format. In some cases, printers capable of working with color cartridges may be compatible with the corresponding black-and-white print elements. But such compatibility is quite rare.

We also note that color cartridges are technologically designed in such a way that they can also print in black and white. Therefore, if the printer supports them, then pictures can be printed on it in virtually any color. The only question is whether the user wants to overpay for a more universal type of device. And here everything again depends on the specifics of the tasks being solved. If you want to print mostly text, there is no need to overpay for a color laser printer.

We noted above that in some cases it is the cartridge that determines the color of the print. And therefore, it is not always correct to call the printer itself “color” or “black and white”. It is better to classify only the cartridge as the appropriate type. However, as we defined above, laser printers that only support black and white print elements are generally incompatible with color print elements. And therefore it is quite acceptable to call them black and white. The same is true for color printers.

Black and white and color cartridges in inkjet printers

Let's immediately note a feature - it is very rare to find inkjet printers that are compatible only with black and white or exclusively with color cartridges. As a rule, these devices support both types of printing elements. Moreover, as with laser printers, color ink cartridge can draw black and white text and images on paper. What is the rationale for using separate color or black and white cartridges in inkjet printers? We again note the fact that it reflects the dependence of the feasibility of using a device of a particular type on the tasks performed by the user. If these include printing predominantly black and white text and pictures, you should buy the appropriate type of cartridge. The same pattern applies to the colored financial element.

Let us note, since we touched upon the corresponding aspect above in relation to laser devices, that using the phrase “black and white inkjet printer” or “color” is not entirely correct. Since almost everything modern devices of the type in question are compatible with both types of printing elements. In inkjet printers, it is correct to call only the cartridge “color” or “black and white”. But this rule is not always observed in informal conversations, even with the participation of IT specialists. The fact is that an inkjet printer is universal, and it is incorrect to call it “color” or “black and white”.

By studying the properties of inkjet and laser printers in relation to the types of cartridges used, we somehow touched on the economic criterion. We have determined that when printing primarily color texts and pictures, it is worth using the appropriate type of cartridge. And in the case of laser printers - buy compatible device and don’t overpay for the fact that it supports color printing. However, we studied only one side of the economic criterion. It will be useful to compare inkjet and laser printers in more detail.

Economic criterion

We noted above that laser printers are especially good for printing texts and chart tables. How well do inkjet printers cope with the same tasks? In principle, not bad. And in no way are they inferior to laser samples in this component. However, why is it highly discouraged by experts to use inkjet devices if the user’s main task is to print texts? The answer is simple - it is unprofitable. If we consider the key advantages of a laser printer over an inkjet printer, then the very first in their rating will most likely be cost-effectiveness. Toner, regardless of the purpose of its use - printing texts, pictures, or anything else - carries a much greater resource than ink.

Another advantage of a laser device - and it is also of an economic nature - is the better compatibility of the cartridges installed in them with refilling procedures. This is the main printing element of the printer. It is the cartridge, as we said above, that sprays that same toner; it is the most technologically complex and expensive component of the device. Many printer manufacturers try to design these hardware components so that when they run out of toner, the owner of the device has to buy a new one. Although, from a technological point of view, the cartridges are designed in such a way that it is quite possible to add new printing substances to them instead of those that are running out.

There is a fairly consistent trend: printer manufacturers really don’t like making cartridges refillable. This is understandable - this approach is unprofitable for them. But there is another trend: even more manufacturers do not like to make refillable cartridges specifically for inkjet printers. If you try to pour new ink into the corresponding printing element, it will simply refuse to work. In this regard, manufacturers are much more loyal to laser devices. You can refill cartridges for most printers of the corresponding type.

Nuances of calculating benefits

Let's look at a simple example that will clearly show how a laser printer differs from an inkjet printer in the economic aspect.

The cost of a budget custom, but good quality inkjet printer model is now 5-6 thousand rubles (after the rise in price, due to the dollar exchange rate, it was previously 1.5-2 times cheaper).

Laser, as we have defined, there are two types - those that support only black and white cartridges, and those that are compatible with color ones. The first ones cost 7-8 thousand. The second ones are much more expensive, about 15-20 thousand.

Yes, of course, at the “initial investment” stage, the inkjet option looks preferable. But a lot depends on the pricing policy of a particular dealer, which is again tied to the ruble exchange rate. It may well be that at certain points in time, a dealer and representative of an inkjet and laser printer under a certain brand will consider it expedient to sharply increase or decrease the price of devices in catalogs.

The resource of a "factory" cartridge for an inkjet printer is approximately 25-30 standard size photographs, or 300-400 pages of text in small font. What are the indicators for laser cartridge? Many times higher. This is about 100-150 images and 1000-1200 pages of text. To this we add the fact that after an inkjet printer runs out of ink, the cartridge will most likely have to be replaced. It costs about 400-500 rubles. Thus, the cost of maintaining an inkjet printer can soon exceed the difference in the amount of the “initial investment”. At least in terms of cost comparison between an inkjet device and a black and white laser.

Thus, if the question is which is better - an inkjet or a laser printer to buy in an economic aspect, most likely, the second option will be preferable. However, do not forget that the quality of pictures and photographs printed using devices of this type, much lower. And therefore, when comparing inkjet and laser printers in terms of price, you need to know what kind of tasks will be performed on the device. If you plan to print mainly texts, you can safely buy laser device. If you are taking photographs, the inkjet option will most likely be more suitable. It is quite possible that it will be somewhat more profitable than a laser printer that supports color printing due to the high price of the latter.

Of course, there are examples of laser printers that, due to technological features, are capable of printing excellent image quality. However, they are not classified as custom. The technological properties of inkjet and laser printers used at home, as well as the principles of their operation, are extremely simple in comparison with those that are typical for the devices in question - aimed at professional digital studios and printing houses. They cost several times more than devices in the category we are considering. It is advisable to purchase them if subsequent commercial payback is expected. Which can only be achieved by turning photo printing into a separate business. The profitability of which, by the way, has not been the highest in recent years.

Dot matrix printers

Above we tried to answer the question of which - inkjet or laser - printer is better suited for solving certain problems. However, it will be useful to supplement our short study with information about another remarkable type of device. Once very popular, now considered obsolete. We are talking about dot matrix printers. What are they?

If you study the technological side, dot matrix printers are closer to inkjet printers than laser ones. They print by applying ink to paper. They do not use laser or toner. But the structure of their print head is completely different from that of inkjet printers: it arranges a picture or text on paper in the form of a matrix. While in inkjet devices, as we noted above, it is done line by line.

Despite the fact that matrix printers are technologically closer to inkjet printers, their scope of application is more compatible with the tasks typical for using laser devices. That is, they are better suited for printing texts, tables, graphs, but not so much for pictures and photographs. If we compare printers - laser, matrix, inkjet - in an economic aspect, then the second type of device will be less preferable in relation to modern market conditions.

The fact is that refilling a matrix cartridge is much more difficult - not all technical centers have the necessary equipment for this. But, it must be said, a printing element of the appropriate type has a significantly greater resource than its technological competitors - about 2 thousand pages of text. However, matrix devices are usually more expensive than laser devices used for similar tasks - a budget model will cost 15-20 thousand rubles.

Therefore, the economic feasibility of purchasing a matrix device will be most obvious if almost all user tasks involve printing large volumes of text. This type of printer purpose is more typical for office needs.

conclusions

So, we have determined how a laser printer differs from an inkjet printer. It's time to draw key conclusions regarding our small study. Let's try to summarize in what aspects a particular difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer will become a clear factor influencing the user's choice. We will also correlate the available information with the features of matrix devices.

The main criterion for choosing a particular device will be the difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer, as well as a matrix printer, in terms of its intended purpose.

If we print mainly texts, tables and graphs, then the ideal option for us is a laser printer that supports black and white cartridges. If you plan to print a significant percentage of color documents or pictures, then it is advisable to purchase a device compatible with the corresponding type of printing element.

If we print mainly photographs or pictures, then the best option for us is an inkjet printer. According to which color of the picture is dominant, we will buy the most suitable cartridges for the device - black and white or color.

If we print mainly only texts, then we can try to purchase a dot matrix printer. Perhaps in economic terms this will be more profitable due to lower ink consumption. If you compare an inkjet and laser printer with this indicator, the difference can reach multiples. At the same time, matrix devices produce very mediocre results when printing pictures.

Thus, the main difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer in terms of better compatibility with the tasks performed is its efficiency in printing pictures. It makes sense to compare the matrix one in terms of capabilities only with the first one. But he may well be competitive with him. When you compare the pure initial investment of a dot matrix, inkjet, and laser printer, the difference can be noticeable. But subsequent expenses can make the device that cost more more economically profitable. It also influences what pricing policy chose a store representative of inkjet and laser printers in relation to the exchange rate. The approaches of Russian retailers may differ in this regard.