How to Buy a Color Laser Printer for Home Use

Laser printers offer top quality printing, especially in black and white. Color laser printers are also excellent and increasing in quality to the point where laser printing photos is becoming popular. They are slightly more expensive than the more popular inkjet printers, but buying a color laser printer for home use is becoming a great deal.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access
• Computer

1. Determine your needs. What do you want to do? Printing pictures, printing documents and printing unusual things like posters or envelopes are all options worth considering.

2. Ask co-workers or friends about laser printers they use at home or at work. Consider the speed, noise and quality of these printers.

3. Check for print quality. Print quality, for most people, is the most important facet of their laser printer. Get at least a 600 x 600 dpi. This means the printer will lay down 600 dots per inch, and higher numbers equate to more accurate, crisp print jobs.

4. Look at different manufacturer's in person if you can. Go to the electronics store and visually assess if the printers will fit in your home space as often there is a more limited venue than an office.

5. Compare the memory of each printer, or its RAM. For many home users, this is not as large an issue. Also, ask if the memory is expandable.

Tips & Warnings

• Look at printer warranties and compare the length and coverage of each.
• An increase in the printer's RAM will increase the printer's speed.
• If color is a priority, inkjet printers offer a better value than the current color laser printers.
• Getting the best price does not mean you are getting the best product. Shop carefully.