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Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Printer
Have you ever bought a printer then ended up regretting it? Maybe you bought a printer that seemed correct at the time but wasn't up to the job when your needs changed. Or when your new printer ran out of ink you felt dizzy when they told you the cost of replacements.
You can avoid these potential problems by doing a little research first and ensuring that you don't make simple mistakes...
Buying a cheap printer
My very first colour laser printer seemed like a steal from my local IT retail store. Compared to the others it was a bargain and it was £300 less than the model I had intended to buy! As the printer also had the same features and functions It was a no brainer. After getting it back to the office setting it up and using for a few weeks a message appeared "replace M toner" Soon after, the printer stopped printing.
Off I went back to the store that I purchased the printer from and complained vigorously that the cartridge had only lasted a short time. I was advised that the cartridges supplied with the machine where only starter cartridges and the new ones would last longer.
I ended up buying a complete set of cartridges, as in the words of the sales assistant “the others will soon run out" and this would save me another journey! Could this be right?? Two years on and the £300 I saved on the purchase of the printer had been wiped out many times over by the extra money I have spent on expensive toner cartridges.
The moral! A cheap printer is rarely the bargain it appears to be. Always check the cost of replacement cartridge and how many pages they will print. It could save you a small fortune.
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Colour or Mono
It’s simple. Colour is far more effective and versatile as a business tool however if you can get away with black and white the cost savings are enormous.
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Single or Multi-function
Multifunction’s have many obvious advantages over a single function printer, with the built in copy, scan, print and sometime fax functions all built into the same unit. This may be very convenient. However, the size of the footprint will be larger and all the extra features may also bring extra problems. I have on several occasions ditched printers that would not work because the scan or copy function has failed and repair cost was unrealistic.
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Inkjet or Laser
This is an important one to get right and your decision will very much depend on what you need your printer to do. Don’t fall into the trap of believing that inkjets are “cheaper” or lasers are “better” –
they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Inkjet printers are better at printing low volumes and for photo use where image quality is important. Laser printers are generally better at printing larger print volumes and faster speeds than inkjets. However, the running costs between inkjet and Laser are not as clear as they used to be, so get some expert advice if you’re not sure which technology is right for you.
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Talk to the experts
Finding the right printer can seem like a bit of a minefield so it's always advisable to do as much research as you can before you go ahead and buy one. If you're still unsure, you can always speak to us on 01495 767760, and we will do everything we can to make sure that you do not make a costly mistake.
Software compatibility and connection. Make sure the printer you purchase works with your PC, Laptop or Tablets operating system and has the ability to connect to your printer and network as required. eg. USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi. etc.