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Step 1
The first step is to get a list of your local stores. You can also buy them online but buying locally will always save you some money on shipping.
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Step 2
Then determine what exactly you need them for.
Ask yourself the following questions, and write down your answers on a piece of paper. -
Step 3
What will you be using your printer/copier for?
think about the job, paper type, the quality the job requires etc. -
Step 4
Is this a copier for your home/personal use?
if so, then you need a PC grade copiers. these are generally small, desktop sized units designed specifically for the single user at home. PC grade copiers are usually simple to set up and use.they are the least expensive grade copier to purchase, but are only designed to print up to 1,500 pages per month, and they are expensive to use (ave. 0.07c per copy) -
Step 5
Is it for a home business?
if you need it for a home business, think about the amount of pages that you'll be printing monthly. if so you might want to consider investing a business grade printer/copier/fax. there are many printers that can handle large printings amount for a low price. copies cost about 0.02c
think about the space, business printers are a bit larger. -
Step 6
Will you use the copier at a large office?
if so, is recommended to get printers that can handle more than 25.000 copies per month.(business grade) this way you are sure to save on toner and get better quality printing. -
Step 7
About how many pages per month will you print?
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Step 8
Where will you put the copier?
business grade printers/copiers/fax are larger than PC grade. they also get hotter if you use them for a long time. -
Step 9
Do you have a limited amount of space and will need a smaller unit?
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Step 10
Will you be copying documents or photos?
Will you need to print in color?
If photographs are involved, you may need a higher scanning resolution to reach the quality you require. -
Step 11
Will the copier be connected to a computer or network and how?
or Are you simply looking for a stand alone unit? wherever you purchase your machine, they should be able to help you determine this if you are not really sure. let them know what type of computer you have and they will explain if you need to get an extra cable or another connectivity device. -
Step 12
Once you have answer all this questions, you can determine what kind of unit you need. these are very important things to know before buying your printer/copier/fax. business grade can save you some money on toner and definitely save you time if you print a lot, and PC grade save you space and much more easier to set up and maintain if you only need it for personal use.
