How to Choose the Best Wireless Printer

Choosing the wrong wireless printer might leave you with a limited range or light security. Worse, it might not have enough memory to store printing jobs in its queue. A high-quality wireless printer, however, allows you range, security, and unlimited users working from unlimited computers. The right wireless printer also creates a neat, wire-free workspace capable. Follow a few guidelines to select a wireless printer that works for your office.

Instructions

1. Match your printer needs to the computer's ability to print monochrome or full color. Monochrome (black) printers only print black, so you need one that prints 256 shades of gray with a minimum of 600 dots per inch (dpi). Because full color printers print red, yellow, blue and black, they can duplicate full color photographs, and you should select a printer that can print 1200 to 2400 dpi.

2. Compare print speeds, and look for 25 to 30 pages per minute (ppm) for black printing and 15 to 25 ppm for full color.

3. Match the connection to your computer, and look for a USB cable connection for new computers or a standard 1284 model printer cable for older computers.

4. Look for an visual-installation process that includes graphic, step-by-step instructions. Because you may need to install the wireless printer to your router as well as to your computer, a visual installation helps identify what component goes where. Other things you must install include printer drivers, and a visual installation will prompt you to install the drivers at the right time.

5. Compare features like specialty printing, extra-large paper tray, or combination features like scanning and faxing. Specialty printing options allow you to print on extra-heavy photo cardstock or even DVDs while extra-large paper trays keep you from having to re-load the printer with paper. Scanning features in conjunction with faxing and e-mail options allow you to scan hard copies and fax documents.

6. Compare per-page printing costs by dividing the cost of the print cartridge by the total page capacity of the inkjet cartridges. For example, if the cartridge costs $20 and the total page capacity equals 1,000 pages, divide 20 by 1,000 to get a per-page cost of .02.

7. Compare prices. Black-white wireless printers cost $100 to $200. Full-featured printers cost $200 to $400.

References

• Hewlett Packard: Wireless Printer Buying Guide
• Hewlett Packard: Compare Wireless Printer Features
• PC Magazine: Personal Printers - The Essential Buying Guide
• Castle Ink: Best Wireless Printers

Resources

• Purchase a Wireless Printer Online