Buying a printer
Buying a printer can be quite confusing with all the different technical terms associated with printer. This guide will break down what these terms mean in plain old English to help you get your head around buying a printer.
Firstly there are a few different types of printers, we have
Inkjet
printers, All-in-One printers, Laser printers and Digital photo printers.
Inkjet Printers –
Ideal for day to day printing of documents, fairly small and easy to change ink
cartridges.
All-In-One Printers - Multi use, save space having everything
rolled into one device.
Laser Printers –
Great for day to day use on document printing, great for high volume printing
and ideal for fast printing. Laser toner cartridges usually last a lot longer
than inkjet cartridges which means less changing of cartridges.
Digital Photo Printers – Dedicated photo Printers, usually small and portable, less carbon footprint than All in Ones. No need for a PC as cameras now tend to connect straight to them to print.
Here is a quick break down of key words when buying a printer.
|
Mono |
The most pages that can be printed
in black and white, per minute (PPM), sometimes measured in images per minute
(IPM) |
|
Colour |
The most pages that can be printed
in colour, per minute (PPM), sometimes measured in images per minute (IPM) IPM is a relatively new ISO
quality standard that allows an accurate, direct comparison of speeds between
printers. |
|
Print Resolution |
Measured in dots per inch (DPI),
the higher the DPI, the clearer the images and photos. Every inkjet printer
will be able to produce sharp-looking text documents. |
|
Screen |
A photo preview screen allows you
to view photos and choose settings before printing. The larger the screen,
the easier it is to view and select images. |
|
Card Slots |
Allow you to use memory cards
straight from digital cameras, so you can print photos without a computer. |
|
Wireless |
Allows you to connect the printer
to your wireless home network, so you can print from your computer without
the need for cables. |
|
Email enabled printers |
These printers come with their own
email address. Any device with email access, such as mobile phones and
laptops, will enable you to send documents, pictures and photos directly to
your printer from anywhere in the world. |
|
Scanner |
Scanners allow you to capture
images and text onto your computer. Great for home use for storing
photographs and sending them on to friends and family electronically - or in
the home office for storing documents and editing texts. |





