Laser Printer vs. Inkjet Printer

Laser printers:
As the name implies, laser printers use laser beams to function. Laser printers also operate faster and are very accurate.
Parts
A laser printer’s main components include: the image processor (with its own memory) which is programmed to convert text data into raster images. These images are in turn stored and are now ready to be printed; the charged roller or corona wire, a photosensitive drum, negatively charged toner, a fuser assembly, and lastly, the laser assembly.
Quality
Laser printers have higher resolution which means they have better print quality. Look closely at a page printed on an inkjet and you’ll notice that the edges of each font have smoother edges. Laser printers are more expensive. Their toner is costly. However, the good thing about toners is that they do not need to be changed often.
In fact if you’re using a laser printer at home you may not need to change toner for a long, long time. Because of their printing speed and quality, laser printers are perfect for office use.

Inkjet printers:
Inkjet printers print pages by sputtering droplets of ink. Their resolution is is fairly low, or at least lower than a laser printers.
Parts
An inkjet printer has the following parts: the print head which contains the nozzles that spit out droplets of ink; ink cartridges, print head which moves the print head and ink cartridges back and forth across the paper; the belt which is used to attach the print head and the ink cartridge to the stepper motor; stabilizer bar to ensure precise and controlled movement, the paper feed assembly and interface ports.
Quality
Inkjet printers are the printer of choice for color printing. The newer models have superior color clarity and brightness. Inkjets are still the printer of choice for printing pictures. Inkjets are also cheaper than lasers. However, their ink cartridge is fairly expensive. But if you only need a printer for limited home use, the inkjet is your best option.

 

How to Extend the Life of Your Printer

 

 

A high-performance laser printer nowadays can be $600. But before you can say "highway robbery", printers are actually worth their costs considering their lifespan. That is of course, if you’re taking good-care of your device. Whatever type of printer you are using, here are a few tips to make you them live longer.


Shut Your Printer Down Properly
When you’re not using your printer, turn it off. It prevents ink from drying and helps in keeping your printer functioning at its best. Do not just pull the plug; use the printer’s power button. Once you have already turned it off, unplug your printer if necessary. Avoid turning it off when in the middle of something.

Do not use cheap ink cartridges or toners
We usually think that compatible means the same as the original thing. Compatible parts may perform like originals, but they do not do so for a long time. This is you should never use compatible or refilled ink and toner cartridges. The worse thing is it may affect your printer’s performance.
See, it has it has something to do with how manufacturers make their cartridges. First, they buy empty cartridges from end users. Then, they strip these cartridges, clean them and finally reassemble them. In this scenario, you should be most concerned about the toner. The toner drum can only last for a set period of time. No amount of cleaning can change that.

Do not force jammed paper out
In case of a paper jam, do not force the paper out. Forcing paper out can damage the printer. Plus, the paper can tear can leave bit of paper stuck inside. These can cause problems later on. There is a better way to get paper out easily. Printers usually have a hatch at the back that can easily be removed. There, you can access the paper wheels and see the jammed paper. Then, you can get the paper out smoothly, without having to pull and tear.

Cartridge Lifespan
It all depends on frequency and quantity. Frequent and heavy users might need to replace cartridges every few months. Light users may need to replace cartridges only about 2-3 times a year (ink dries out if not used for more than a year). For more complete answers, talk to the manufacturers. For instance, they can tell you that certain printers can print 350 pages at 5% percent coverage or 5% surface area inked on each page.
Toner cartridges vary in lifespan. The less expensive ones go for $100. These printers can print 2,500 to 5,000 pages. The more expensive printers can print tens of thousands of pages. The most expensive types can even yield hundreds of thousands of pages.

Lastly
Your printer’s lifespan depends greatly on the sturdiness of the machine, frequency of use and maintenance. Some printers last longer than some. To make sure that your printer will last, use it according to its (monthly) duty cycle. The monthly duty cycle tells you the maximum number of pages your printer is designed to produce.
A good idea is to buy a printer that has a duty cycle three times your estimated volume. Take good care of your printer so that it can perform at its best and last for a long time.