Printer Buying Guide
Printer Buying Guide
printing options

With a wide range of printing options, consider the following when shopping for a printer.
- Check if the printer is compatible with your existing devices. Remember, a cheaper printer can sometimes have higher running costs due to cartridge yield.
- Choose a multifunction printer based on your needs. Consider print volume, whether you need colour or only mono, fast print speeds, photo quality, or a combination of these factors.
- Printers with an LCD screen can offer easier setup, status checks, and independent operation for copying or faxing without a computer.
- Most multifunction printers have wireless capabilities. Also consider extra features like Ethernet, Apple AirPrint, Cloud Apps, and mobile device printing.
Buying a Printer
Printing Options

With a wide range of printing options, consider the following when shopping for a printer:
- Check if the printer is compatible with your existing devices. Remember, a cheaper printer can sometimes have higher running costs due to cartridge yield.
- Choose a multifunction printer based on your needs. Consider print volume, whether you need colour or only mono, fast print speeds, photo quality, or a combination of these factors.
- Printers with an LCD screen can offer easier setup, status checks, and independent operation for copying or faxing without a computer.
- Most multifunction printers have wireless capabilities. Also consider extra features like Ethernet, Apple AirPrint, Cloud Apps, and mobile device printing.
Multifunction Printers

Multifunction (All-In-One) units combine printer, scanner, copier, and sometimes fax/email into one convenient device to boost productivity.
- Basic models offer printer, scanner, copier. Advanced ones add an LCD screen, fax, email, auto document feeder, wireless, and mobile printing.
- Printers with LCD screens let you copy, fax, and email directly from the printer, often allowing printing or emailing from a USB stick.
- Multifunction printers come in both laser and inkjet varieties, so you can find what best suits your usage.
Types of Printers
Inkjet Printers

Inkjet multifunction printers suit various needs: casual home printing, home office use, or even high-volume professional output. They excel at photo printing as well.
- Inkjet printers are ideal for printing images, with options from basic colour prints to high-quality photo prints on specialist paper.
- They also handle normal text printing well, from web pages to essays and professional documents.
- You can find inkjet models for occasional low-volume printing right up to high-quality volume printing suitable for home or business.
Laser Printers

Laser printers and multifunction devices are great for home offices or businesses needing regular, daily volume printing. They typically print faster than inkjets, for both mono and colour.
- Laser printers offer quick start-up, high print speeds, and suit anyone needing fast output.
- Toner cartridges have higher yield than most ink cartridges, often lowering cost per page.
- Laser printing delivers professional results in both black and colour, perfect for essays, reports, or presentations.
Mobile Printers

Portable printers are ideal for those working on the go. Compact and lightweight, they let you print on demand wherever you are.
- Consider connectivity. If you need to print from mobile devices, ensure compatibility with your smartphone or tablet’s OS.
- Portable printers are great for occasional travel printing, offering high-quality documents on the move.
- Specialist portable photo printers (e.g. Canon Selphy, Fuji Instax Share) allow direct printing from cameras or mobiles. Just take a photo, connect, and print.
Important Printer Features
Print Speed & Quality

Consider not just print speed and quality, but also cartridge cost and yield. Find a printer that suits your needs in terms of functionality, features, and running costs.
- Print speed (ppm): Laser printers are generally faster than inkjets. Printing in black is often faster and cheaper if colour isn’t necessary.
- 12ppm suits occasional small documents; 20ppm or more is ideal for busy home offices or businesses. Speed doesn’t always equal quality, however.
- Print quality (dpi): Higher dpi is sharper but can use more ink. Text is fine at 300-600 dpi, photos look best at 2400 dpi on speciality paper.
Printing from Mobile Devices

Modern printers simplify printing from smartphones and tablets. If this appeals to you, look for:
- Google Cloud Print links your printer to the web, letting you print from any compatible device anywhere with internet access.
- AirPrint allows wireless printing from iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches or Macs connected to the same network as the printer.
- NFC and Bluetooth enable printing directly from any compatible device within range.
Printer Essentials
Ink & Toner

Always be ready to print by stocking up on the correct ink or toner. Choose from standard or XL cartridges to suit your budget and print requirements.
Paper

Select paper that meets your needs. Choose size and finish that suits your project, or opt for photo paper to create long-lasting prints.
Photo Scanners

If your printer lacks scanning capability or you want higher-quality results for digitising photos, a dedicated photo scanner could be ideal.