MFP laser and inkjet differences which is better. Which is better: a laser MFP or an inkjet for the home? The difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer: which one is better
Modern printers are very affordable - you can choose a completely economical model for 4000-5000 rubles. But this is not so easy to do, especially if you are going to buy a color printer: which is better laser or inkjet?
The difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer: which one is better?
Inkjet printers use liquid ink sprayed through microscopic holes (nozzles) onto paper, while laser printers use a toner cartridge (fine powder) that is heated by a thermal element. The difference in the approach to printing also determines the different set of tasks that these two types of printers can perform. How do you know which inkjet or laser printer is right for you? You need to dive into the design features a bit.
Inkjet printers
There are three types of inkjet printers: document printers, photo printers, and MFPs. They all print using the same technology: liquid ink from a cartridge is applied to paper in the form of tiny dots, from which an image is formed.
The inkjet MFP prints color images perfectly.
Document printers are the cheapest, their cost rarely exceeds 6 thousand rubles. Best of all, they cope with printing text documents. It can be either black and white or color.
Photo printers are slightly more expensive, and are focused on high-quality color printing of small photos (up to 8x10 in size). This is usually sufficient for home printing or a small photo business.
Multifunction devices (MFPs) at a relatively low price combine the functionality of a printer, scanner and copier, and sometimes fax.
The advantages of inkjet printers include the following:
small size. Most inkjet printers are relatively small and can fit in tight spaces. MFPs are slightly larger, but generally smaller than a laser printer and much smaller than a standard office copier.
Low cost. Inkjet printers are generally much cheaper than laser printers. If an inkjet printer breaks down, it is much easier to replace it with a new one.
Inexpensive consumables. Inkjet cartridges have become cheaper in recent years. An ink cartridge costs about half as much as a laser toner cartridge. In addition, it is easier to replace.
Excellent photo quality. Inkjet printers designed for photo printing can produce stunning results, producing images with vibrant colors and high contrast with little to no pixelation.
Inkjet printer: inside view.
Among the disadvantages of inkjet printing are the following:
Wasted ink consumption. In order to print one page, an inkjet printer requires much more consumables than a laser printer.
Slow printing. An inkjet printer can print multi-page documents much slower than a laser printer.
Cartridge problems. At times, ink cartridges can leak, which can stain the printer, hands, and paper. In addition, with occasional use, ink cartridges tend to dry out.
Overall, an inkjet printer is a popular consumer choice for home use. Buy an inkjet printer if you:
choose a printer for the home;
want to print photos;
Are you going to print small documents frequently?
limited in funds.
CHIP recommends: inkjet MFPs
Laser printer
Laser printers are divided into document printers and MFPs. For printing, they use a coloring powder (toner), which is heated by a laser and adheres to the paper, forming an image.
A laser document printer allows you to quickly and very clearly print text documents.
Laser MFPs, just like inkjet, combine the functions of printing, scanning and copying.
The advantages of a laser printer include:
Saving toner. Consumables for a laser printer are more expensive, but they last for a longer period than an inkjet. In general, printing one page with toner is cheaper than printing with ink.
High print speed. A laser printer is much faster at printing multi-page documents.
Print cleanliness and accuracy. Toner is a dry powder, it does not stain or smear if a freshly printed document, for example, is placed in a folder.
Clearer Document Printing. A laser printer prints fine print and detail more accurately, so toner-printed documents look much more readable.
Laser printer inside.
Disadvantages, however, are also enough.
Expensive consumables. Toner cartridges are very expensive, at least twice as much as ink cartridges. But, as already mentioned, they last much longer.
Big size. A laser printer, and even more so an MFP, is quite bulky. It is not so easy to squeeze it into a tight corner.
Noise. Laser printers make noise during operation that cannot be silenced (inkjet printers have a silent mode).
Very expensive color printing. A laser printer is not the best choice for printing photos, color toner is very expensive. Many inexpensive laser printers do not support color printing at all.
We can say that laser printers are the best choice for printing large volumes of text. Therefore, they can often be found in offices, libraries, educational institutions. A laser printer is worth buying if:
you need a device for the office;
you want to print large documents;
you want a printer for your home, but will rarely use it;
you don't really need color printing capabilities;
you are willing to spend more money.
"Which is better, laser MFP or inkjet?" - a question that worries many. Multifunctional devices were first created in 1977 by Xerox. They are intended for printing, as well as copying images. To date, there are laser and inkjet MFPs. All of them have their advantages and disadvantages. In order to understand which is better - a laser MFP or an inkjet, you need to understand the device of these devices. In addition, much depends on the manufacturers.
Laser MFP device
Any MFP laser color for the home has a special mirror. A beam from the drum hits him. There is also a large photoconductor that wraps the paper around itself. The toner is installed nearby, and with its help the image is directly transferred to the page. For this, there is additionally a special transfer roller. At the back of the laser device, there is an oven that brings the paper to a certain temperature. This is enough to burn through the toner and fix the image on the sheet.
For the waste powder, a primary charge shaft is provided. Additionally, there is a squeegee for cleaning the photoconductor from toner. Also, in all laser devices, a blade is installed that encloses the paper. The toner compartment of laser MFPs consists of a sealant, a hopper and a seal. At the same time, there is a system that monitors the uniform distribution of toner on paper.
How are inkjet devices arranged?
Most inkjet MFPs have a similar device. They include the print engine, paper feed system and control unit. Manufacturers also set the control scheme, which differs in different models. The print mechanism consists of a head, which is located in the center of the inkjet MFP. There are also ink cartridges, which come in various types. Next, an engine is installed that is responsible for rotating the head. A belt is connected to it for these purposes. Last but not least, the print mechanism has a stabilizer bar. It is necessary for accurate printing and is responsible for the vibrations that occur inside the head.
The paper feeding system consists of a tray and rollers. Additionally, there is a separate engine for scrolling the sheet. The paper itself inside the inkjet MFP passes over the rollers.
The power supplies of the above devices are usually standard. Previously used bulky transformers for this purpose. Power supplies don't take up much space these days. 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 vice versa.
In some models of inkjet MFPs, they are also installed. In other cases, they are replaced by a serial device. Manufacturers can also install ports for small computing systems. There are two types of ink spray technology in string MFPs. The first is a thermal bubble system. Most often it can be found in models of Canon and Hewlett Packard brands. The second type of atomization is called the piezoelectric system. It is based on the work of special piezocrystals. This technology has been 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 indispensable device. In this regard, it surpasses inkjet MFPs very much. However, it is the first sheet of paper that will take a long time. This fact is connected with the need to warm up the photoconductor. The second advantage lies in the simplicity of the device. The need for its repair is extremely rare, and it is quite simple to maintain. Unlike inkjet MFPs, you don't have to worry about ink issues all the time.
What are the disadvantages of laser devices?
The disadvantages of a laser color MFP for the home, of course, also has. First of all, he hits hard on the pocket. Especially the difference can be noticed if you choose a color laser MFP. In addition, it takes up a lot of space, and it is quite difficult to attach it to 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.
Advantages of inkjet models
The main advantage of inkjet MFPs is their low cost. Most models are available to absolutely everyone. At the same time, the cases of these devices are quite compact. All this allows you to attach an inkjet MFP almost to the edge of the table. Plus, they print the first page much faster than laser ones. Given this, if we talk about one document, then inkjet MFPs are in the lead here.
In addition, it is possible to supply very cheap cartridges directly. By the way, they can be refueled absolutely independently without any problems. You can print on different types of paper. Ink at the same time perfectly fit both on a matte surface and on a gloss. The last advantage of inkjet MFPs lies in print quality. It is simply excellent, and if we talk about photographs, then the ink in this situation is simply irreplaceable.
Cons of inkjet devices
Unfortunately, inkjet MFPs also have disadvantages. First of all, it is the speed of printing. If you have to work with a large volume, then this is a long time. Some models are close to the speed of laser MFPs, but there is such a problem. The second drawback lies in the maintenance of these devices. The ink often dries out and needs to be changed. 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 consume ink.
Hewlett Packard laser models
"Which MFP is better to choose?" - a difficult 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 different density. The average print speed is 25 pages per minute.
Additionally, many models are equipped with a fax. Supports a wide variety of operating systems. Additionally, a user-friendly interface can be noted. On average, the memory of these devices is 128 MB. In general, they can be described as productive. The most popular model is Hewlett Packard M1536dnf. This MFP laser reviews from customers is good.
Inkjet Hewlett Packard
Hewlett Packard inkjet MFPs are far superior to laser models in terms of print resolution. It is possible to print on photo paper, as well as gloss. Additionally, the function of optimized resolution of work from a personal computer is provided. Paper sizes can be skipped a variety of. However, the recommended sheet density is 75g/m2. m. On average, the print speed is at the level of 4 pages per minute. In turn, the first sheet is ready in 24 seconds. The boundaries of the print area are quite extensive. You can also select a large range of colors.
Power consumption is low and saves money. A Hewlett Packard inkjet MFP consumes approximately 10 watts when operating. At the same time, only 2 watts 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 watts. Of the features, the presence of special contact image sensors can be distinguished. In general, the color depth is approximately 24 bits. Additionally, there is an input mode when scanning. The copy speed is 4.5 sheets per minute.
How are Canon laser MFPs different?
Many models have a good maximum print resolution. This indicator came very close to Canon inkjet MFPs. Additionally, we can note the good quality of scanning documents. A wide variety of paper sizes and weights are allowed. At the same time, of course, there is no opportunity to work with photo paper or a matte surface. The average print speed is 23 pages per minute.
As a rule, the Canon laser MFP is equipped with a fax machine. The borders of the print are quite extensive: 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 the level of 256 MB. Operating systems support a variety of. However, the Canon laser MFP has a rather large power consumption. In working condition, the device consumes approximately 500 watts. In standby mode, electricity is consumed at the level of 5.4 watts.
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) for the home is perfect.
Canon inkjet models
Most Canon inkjet MFPs boast good optical resolution. In this case, the droplet size is 2 pl. The weight of the paper for printing 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 skips 10 sheets per minute. If we talk about color printing, then 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 watts are consumed. When copying, Canon's inkjet MFP consumes only 0.19 watts. The dimensions of most models are quite compact. On average, the device is 300 mm high, 440 mm long and only 150 mm deep. In this case, the mass of the device is an average of 5.5 kg. The Canon MG4240 is in the highest demand. This MFP has only positive reviews.
Summarizing
"Which is better - a laser MFP or an inkjet?" - a question to which there is no single answer. However, first of all, it is necessary to determine the requirements that will be imposed on the device. If you look in terms of print quality, then the leaders in this regard are inkjet MFPs. They are simply indispensable for working with photographs.
However, this class of equipment is definitely not suitable for offices. Printing documents must be done quickly. In this case, there should be no problems with the device. From this point of view, laser MFPs are definitely the leader. Considering all of the above, the question is: "Which is better - a laser MFP or an inkjet?" must be considered on a case-by-case basis.
1. Printer: functional features
2. Varieties of devices for printing
3. Laser printer
4. Inkjet printer
5. Which color printer is better: laser or inkjet
6. Laser or inkjet printer: main conclusions
Today, a printing device is far from being a luxury, but an important necessity. The range of such devices presented on the modern market pleases with its assortment. But, on the other hand, such a huge variety increases the complexity of the choice. Among the most common questions are the following: inkjet or laser printer, which is better? How to understand the functionality and technical characteristics of the device? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each model? About all this in detail - in our publication.
Printer: features of functionality
A color printer is a technical device, the main purpose of which is to transfer information from electronic to hard media, that is, to paper. You can print not only text documents, but also photos using this device. Among the most popular printers are MFPs, such multifunctional devices can combine several functions at once: scanning, printing, copier. A separate category is devices with telefax.
Types of devices for printing
There are several criteria based on which different types of printing equipment can be distinguished:
The nature of the work;
The specifics of the color layout;
The type of ink and the original printed material.
Depending on the basis of the ink used, printers can be:
Oil-based (in industry for marking);
On a water basis (in a domestic and office environment);
Pigment (used in photo printing, as they provide high quality images that are created);
Solvent (for outdoor advertising);
Thermal transfer (in order to apply an image to the fabric).
Laser printer
For the first time, laser printing technology was 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 print unit.
The central link in the principle of operation of this device is a photodrum, the main property of which is to keep 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 photoconductor acquires a positive charge. These charged regions create an image. Coloring powder (toner) wakes up on the drum and then creates a pattern, concentrating in charged dots. After that, under the influence of pressure and high temperatures, the image on the paper is fixed.
As a result, speed and quality increase significantly. Besides, the printed material possesses the increased resistance to external influences. This pattern will not deteriorate due to moisture, and the color will not fade.
The important advantages of a laser printer are as follows:
Low cost per printed page;
High speed of work;
Can be used for work that involves printing bulky text material;
Can be used for high loads;
Does not need frequent refueling;
Provides a print that is resistant to moisture;
Without deterioration in quality, you can print on virtually any type of paper.
The disadvantages of a laser printer are:
High price:
High energy consumption;
Cannot be used for photo printing;
The possibility of refueling at home is excluded;
Purpose 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 for applying an image to a sheet is very similar to the matrix one, but there is an important difference - instead of needles, a print head with a special liquid ink is used here. The image itself is created using dots. In this case, the print head can be located in the device itself or be attached directly to the cartridge.
The advantages of an inkjet printer are as follows:
Lower cost of the device;
Lower power consumption (if a laser device requires 300-500 W, then, on average, for an inkjet - 20-30 W);
Even inexpensive models are equipped with wide functionality - a card reader, printing photos directly from the camera without using a personal computer. For some devices, printing via WIFI is provided.
Good color 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 cost of printed material;
Such a device needs frequent ink replacement under the condition of intensive use.
This device must be used systematically, otherwise the ink becomes unusable;
Increased sensitivity to paper quality and selected print settings;
The speed of the device is quite slow;
Moisture resistance of the printed material.
Which color printer is better: laser or inkjet
It is important for you to purchase a high-quality printing device, but you still have not decided which printer is better: laser or inkjet? In this case, carefully study the characteristics of both devices:
Price. Buying a cheaper printer is easy. But it is 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 not too sensitive to paper quality.
Speed. If we compare inkjet and electrographic printing, the latter is the undisputed 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.
The level of permissible loads. The workload of inkjet technology for printing is limited by the amount of ink that remains, this problem is partly solved thanks to the continuous ink supply system. For laser printers, this issue is not too acute.
The nature of the filling. Regardless of which device you choose, sooner or later you will face the problem of ink refilling. Refilling an inkjet printer is not difficult, the main thing is to learn not to spill ink on yourself. Over time, you can learn this. With a toner, everything is much more complicated. After all, it is toxic, so refueling can only be carried out in specially equipped rooms.
Laser or inkjet printer: main conclusions
Thinking about what is best for the home, be sure to consider the purpose for which you plan to buy this appliance. 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 buying, specify whether the manufacturer is ready to fulfill warranty obligations, how long the warranty is and whether there is an appropriate service center in your city.
Availability of consumables and spare parts. Think about whether the high cost of spare parts and consumables will become a real burden for you.
performance character. As a rule, the maximum number of prints per month is indicated on the packaging of printing devices. If you plan to use the printer very often, then roughly calculate how many pages per month you will print. For example, if you need about 5000 pages, then it is better to stop the choice on the printer where the higher number is indicated - 6000, no less.
Functional. Do not buy a printer on the principle of "suitable for", that is, if you do not need some functionality, it is better not to purchase this type of device, you do not need to overpay.
Service features. It is important that you can fill the device yourself and not spend money every time on buying new cartridges.
There is no single answer to the question of which printer is better, laser or inkjet. After all, it all depends on individual characteristics. So, as always, the choice is yours.
In our article, we will compare inkjet and laser printers, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both printing technologies. If you still have not decided which type of printer would be your preferred option, then our article will certainly help you make the right choice and choose the model that best suits your requirements.
Currently, the printer is an important and necessary device required by almost any PC user and organization. The tasks of the printer include printing documents, printing color photographs, etc. Laser and inkjet printers use different printing technologies and have different functionality. It is also worth noting that they acquire one or another type of printer, depending on the tasks for which it is intended. When buying any printer model, it will be reasonable to build on your needs and financial capabilities.
Comparisons of laser and inkjet printer
In this comparison, we present some of the strengths, weaknesses, and differences between the two types of printers. Let's start the comparison with a little history.
Story
Remington Rand was the first company, which developed a modern printer for computers Univac's 1953. Contrary to popular belief, laser printer, preceded inkjet technology. Laser printers were developed at Xerox by a scientist named Gary Starkweather. It was thanks to his work that a breakthrough was made in printing using a laser beam and dry powder - ink (toner).
Inkjet Technology Printers owe their development to the efforts of many companies such as Canon, HP and Epson. They were presented for the first time on the market in 1979 and soon turned into a real "workhorse", widely used throughout the world. After this little historical digression, let's get down to business and start by defining the basic technological terms to get a feel for the difference between laser and inkjet printers.
Technology difference
Laser printer technology is ingenious and here is a quick introduction to how it works. The built-in laser beam projects the image onto a digital copy of the printed page on a selenium coating located on a rotating drum. A laser beam projects a "negative" image of a document for printing onto a charged drum according to the principle of photoconductivity. The selenium coating becomes photoconductive, that is, it loses its charge in places that are intended for printing. The drum roll then draws dry ink particles to areas where there is no charge. The drum rolls the image on paper.
Another technology that has been used recently and is as fast as a laser printer is led printer. The difference in technologies lies in the fact that a laser printer uses one beam source, while an LED printer uses a whole line of sources located along the entire length of the print area.
Now let's see how the printer works using technology inkjet printing. Most inkjet printers use a piezoelectric material that has an ink cartridge responsible for spraying the nozzles. When an electrical voltage is applied to a piezoelectric material, it vibrates and changes shape and size. This creates an impulse pressure in the ink tank, which literally shoots drops of ink out of the nozzle. That's why this technology is called "inkjet" because it prints with jets of ink thanks to voltage pulses.
Comparison of print speed and print quality
Laser printers print much faster than inkjet printers. The reason lies in the use of different technologies. For laser printers, it doesn't matter if it prints text or an image, its print speed remains the same in both cases. Jet printer applies ink for each pixel of the image. In this way, his speed slows down depending on the complexity of the image it prints.
When it comes to printing black and white pages, with a complex structure of text information and the use of a variety of fonts, then laser printers do this much better and faster. While a laser printer is the preferred option for text and black-and-white printing, an inkjet printer is better at printing color images and photos. Although it must be admitted that speed is not its strong suit.
Cartridge
Laser printer uses one big toner cartridge with powder paint, while jet printer usually equipped with several cartridges with black and color ink. Ink cartridges last faster than toner cartridges and therefore need to be replaced more frequently. with inkjet printer, you spend on the purchase of cartridges several times more than the cost of the printer itself. Not surprisingly, inkjet printer manufacturers earn much more from cartridges for their lineup than from the printers themselves.
If you have to print a lot of documents and they are in black and white, then laser printer will become the most smart choice in your case. Each page printed in a laser printer costs several times less than a page printed in an inkjet printer.
To reduce cartridge costs for inkjet printers, if the device is used regularly and for high volume printing, it will it is advisable to use CISS(continuous ink supply system). For example, by purchasing an HP A3 inkjet printer with CISS, you can significantly save on the subsequent purchase of cartridges.
The size
Laser printers and especially colored ones, are large in size compared to inkjet printers.
Laser printers can weigh up to 20 kg, while inkjet printer weight rarely exceeds 5 kg. Inkjet printers are usually more compact and are best suited for smaller spaces. If you have very low print volumes and don't want to purchase bulky equipment, inkjet printers are the perfect choice for you.
Price
If we compare the cost of laser and inkjet printers, then jet printer when you buy it will cost you cheaper. However, given the cost of ownership, which includes the cost of ink and the cost of cartridges that need to be replaced periodically, a laser printer will quickly pay for itself in a very short time.
Laser printers are more expensive initially, but they do not require changing the cartridge after a long time. The toner cartridges in these printers can print between 2,500 and 10,000 pages before needing to be replaced. The cost of both printers varies depending on cartridge quality, brands, and features.
Price range for inkjet printers varies on average from 2000 to 6000 rubles, while cost of laser printers may vary from 4500 to 12000 rubles. Laser printers have an average lifespan of five years. Inkjet printers have an average lifespan of 3 years.
Performance
As stated earlier, laser print quality is the best than what inkjet printers show, especially when it comes to printing text, but even in the case of printing images, they have higher resolution and detail. Inkjet printers are better at printing images and photos when it comes to the brightness and rich color of images.
Conclusion
If you have a need to print a large number of documents and you do not need a lot of color printing, then buying a laser printer is the most appropriate and reasonable choice. If you don't need to print a lot, then an inkjet printer is a good choice.
The printer is one of the most necessary devices for the modern user. These devices are produced in a wide range of technological types. What is the difference between laser and inkjet printer? In what cases may it be preferable to buy a matrix device? What are the main criteria for comparing the efficiency of printers?
Differences - in technology
The key aspect of how a laser printer differs from an inkjet printer - In the first type of devices, two main elements of the impact on the paper are involved. This is a laser - a high-temperature light beam, as well as a toner - a powdered dye consisting of very fine solid particles. In turn, other basic elements are used in inkjet printers: this is a dosing-type print head, as well as ink, which, unlike powdered toner, is usually liquid. Note - most IT-specialists consider it not quite correct to ask the question of whether a laser or inkjet color printer is better. Both of them have advantages and disadvantages. They are 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 one or the other is optimal in terms of the intended purpose.
Technology features
Let us consider in more detail how the printing process on devices of various types is carried out in the technological aspect. This will allow us to more clearly compare the inkjet and laser printers, as well as understand what tasks the first or second is optimal for. So, first, laser printing technology.
As we noted above, it uses a laser and a 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.
A feature of laser printing technology (if we talk about its domestic implementation, and not industrial) 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. That's why laser printers are not very well suited for printing pictures and photos. But they are ideal for printing texts, tables, graphs.
In an inkjet printer, as we have already said, ink is used. The principle of their application 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 - getting on paper, they, like paint, simply have to dry. In many printers, this process is accelerated by heating mechanisms.
This technological aspect makes it possible to effectively use inkjet devices for printing pictures and photographs. and the overall quality of images produced on paper is generally noticeably better than with laser technology.
Ink color factor
Let's consider an aspect that may affect finding an answer to the question of what is better - a laser or an 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 an inkjet color printer. And that's why.
Many IT professionals 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 have 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 the same technological type can be.
Printer and cartridges
First of all, let's 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 element is almost always removable and replaceable.
In many cases, it is the cartridges that determine the color of the print, 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. In them, as a rule, a single type of cartridge can be installed. It is capable of both pictures using black and white toner particles. Which, lining up in a certain sequence, can also form one of the shades of gray - using this feature, in particular, printers print photographs and pictures.
Note: most models of laser devices for home use - in particular those that are in the budget price segment - are precisely those that support only black and white cartridges. They can print anything and pictures, but on paper they will appear in their respective colors or grayscale.
There are laser printers that can work with color toner cartridges. But they are significantly more expensive than black and white. Technologically, printing in them is carried out in the same way - with the help of a light flux and toner. But in this case, the color of photographs and pictures on paper will match 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.
Note also that color cartridges are technologically designed so that they can also print in black and white. Therefore, if the printer supports them, then pictures on it can be printed in virtually any color. The only question is whether the user wants to overpay for a more versatile type of device. And here everything again rests on the specifics of the tasks being solved. If you are going to print mostly text, it is not necessary 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 attribute only the cartridge to the corresponding type. However, as we have identified above, laser printers that only support black and white print elements are generally incompatible with color. 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
Immediately, we note a feature - very rarely there are 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. What's more, as with laser printers, a color inkjet cartridge can print black and white text and images on paper. What is the feasibility of using separate color or black and white cartridges in inkjet printers? We again fix the fact that reflects the dependence of the expediency of using a device of a particular type on the tasks performed by the user. If one of them is printing mostly black-and-white text and pictures, it is worth buying the appropriate type of cartridge. The same pattern applies to the colored financial element.
Note, since we touched on the relevant aspect above with regard to laser devices, that using the phrase "black and white inkjet printer" or "color" is not entirely correct. Since almost all modern devices of this type are compatible with both types of printing elements. "Color" or "black and white" in inkjet printers, it is correct to call only the cartridge. But this rule is not always respected 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".
Studying the properties of an inkjet and laser printer in relation to the types of cartridges used, we somehow touched on the economic criterion. We have determined that when printing mostly color texts and pictures, it is worth using the appropriate type of cartridge. And in the case of laser printers - buy a compatible device and not overpay for the fact that it supports color printing. However, we have studied only one side of the economic criterion. It will be useful to compare the inkjet and laser printer in relation to it in more detail.
Economic criterion
We noted above that laser printers are especially good for printing texts, chart tables. How well do inkjet printers cope with the same tasks? Basically, not bad. And in nothing in this component they are not inferior to laser samples. However, why is it highly recommended by specialists not to use inkjet devices if the main task of the user is to print texts? The answer is simple - it is not profitable. If we consider the key advantages of a laser printer over an inkjet printer, then the very first in their ranking is likely to be efficiency. Toner, regardless of the purpose of its use - printing texts, pictures, or anything else - carries a much larger resource than ink.
Another advantage of the 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 the 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, cartridges are designed in such a way that it is quite possible to add new printing substances to them instead of those that run out.
There is a fairly stable trend: printer manufacturers really do not like to make cartridges refillable. This is understandable - such an 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 simply refuses to work. Manufacturers are much more loyal to laser devices in this regard. You can refill cartridges for most printers of the corresponding type.
Nuances of calculating benefits
Consider 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 used to be 1.5-2 times cheaper).
There are two types of lasers, as we have determined - those that only support black and white cartridges, and those that are compatible with color. The former cost 7-8 thousand. The latter are much more expensive, about 15-20 thousand.
Yes, of course, at the stage of "initial investment" 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, the dealer and representative of an inkjet and laser printer under any brand will consider it appropriate to dramatically increase or decrease the price of devices in the catalogs.
The resource of a "factory" cartridge for an inkjet printer is approximately 25-30 photos of a standard size, or 300-400 pages of text in small print. What are the indicators for the 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 the inkjet printer runs out of ink, it is likely that you will have to change the cartridge. It costs about 400-500 rubles. Thus, the cost of maintaining an inkjet printer may soon exceed the difference in the size of the "initial investment". At least in the cost ratio 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 the 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 is much lower. And therefore, when comparing an inkjet and a laser printer by price, you need to know what kind of tasks will be performed on the device. If you intend to print mainly texts, you can safely buy a laser device. If the photos are likely, the inkjet option is more suitable. It is quite possible that it will turn out to be somewhat more profitable than a laser printer that supports color printing due to the high price of the latter.
Of course, there are samples of laser printers that, due to technological features, are capable of printing excellent image quality. However, they do not belong to the user class. The technological properties of an inkjet and laser printer 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 - focused on professional digital studios, printing houses. They cost several times more than the devices of the category we are considering. It is advisable to acquire 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 small study with information about another remarkable type of device as well. Once very popular, now considered obsolete. These are dot matrix printers. What are they?
If you study the technological side, then dot matrix printers are closer to inkjet than laser. They also print by applying ink to paper. Laser and toner are not used in them. But the structure of the print head is completely different from that of inkjet printers: it builds a picture or text on paper in the form of a matrix. While in inkjet devices, as we noted above - line by line.
Despite the fact that matrix printers are technologically closer to inkjet printers, their area of application is more compatible with the tasks typical for the use of laser devices. That is, they are better suited for printing texts, tables, graphs, for pictures and photographs - not very much. If we compare printers - laser, matrix, inkjet - in the 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 - far from all technical centers have the equipment necessary for this. But, I must say, the corresponding type of printing element has a much longer resource than its technological competitors - about 2 thousand pages of text. True, 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 buying a matrix device will be most obvious if almost all user tasks come down to printing large amounts of text. This kind of purpose of printers is more typical for office needs.
conclusions
So, we have determined how a laser printer differs from an inkjet printer. It is time to draw key conclusions regarding our small study. Let's try to summarize in what aspects this or that 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 one or another device will be the difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer, as well as a matrix printer - in terms of intended purpose.
If we print mainly texts, tables and graphics, then the ideal option for us is a laser printer that supports black and white cartridges. If you intend to print a significant percentage of color documents or pictures, then it is advisable to purchase a device that is compatible with the corresponding type of printing element.
If we print mainly photos or pictures, then the best option for us is an inkjet printer. Depending on what color images prevail, we will buy the most suitable cartridges for the device - black and white or color.
If we mainly print only texts, then we can try to purchase a dot matrix printer. Perhaps, in the economic aspect, this will be more profitable due to lower ink consumption. If we compare an inkjet and a laser printer with this indicator, the difference can reach multiples. At the same time, matrix devices give a very mediocre result 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 efficiency when printing pictures. Matrix makes sense to compare the possibilities only with the first. But he may well be competitive with him. If you compare the initial investment in dot matrix, inkjet, and laser printers in pure form, the difference can be noticeable. But subsequent costs can make the device that cost more more cost-effective. It also influences what pricing policy the store representative of the inkjet and laser printer has chosen in relation to the exchange rate. The approaches of Russian retailers may differ in this regard.
In addition to the basic documents, a passport and an application for conscription, a characteristic from the place of study is required, which the university provides to ...
Inkjet printer: inside view. 
Laser printer inside. 
