How to Pick and Buy Printers

Printers not only print, but can scan, copy and fax as well.

Several types of printers are available, all suited for different needs. With a basic home printer, you can print, make copies and scan. More advanced printers can send and receive faxes. For basic home use, an ink-jet printer is sufficient. For office use, consider a laser printer that prints faster, handles large print orders, and has better print quality. Prices vary greatly, so only get a printer to meet your specific needs so you don't waste money on features you will not use.

Instructions

1. Determine your use for the printer. Decide if you only want to print, if you need to use the printer to scan or fax, and if you need to do a large amount of printing. A combo printer combines several features into one versatile machine. Laser printers are usually faster and they deal with bulk printing better. A laser printer can save you money in the long run because of ink costs.

2. Read online reviews. Reviews are a great way to find out what printers are durable and which ones people have had problems with.

3. Look at the cost of each printer and compare the features. Laser printers are more expensive than ink-jet printers, but if you are buying a printer for an office, a laser printer is more efficient and can handle the load from multiple users.

4. Look for the ease of wireless printing. Some printers are set up to print wirelessly. This means you can print straight from your laptop with no need to connect wires.