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laser or inkjet

W

Whitesockcat

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 14, 2010
13
0
I want to get a color printer so I can print my new one color +black logo on envelopes, cd labels, stationary, shipping labels etc; not photos

I am under the impression a laser printer is (or was at one time) best for graphics.

Also, my experience with inkjet is that if the printer is not used for a few days the print heads clog.

Any suggestions or info on what to buy is most appreciated

whitesockcat
 
I use laser for text. It's old but still plugging away. I haven't followed what's going on with the new ones.

I use inkjet for most everything else. The current inkjets are very good. I'm amazed at the quality from my cheap one. You don't have to use them every few days, but I'd say every few weeks would be good. The ink cost is where they get you. I have a Canon inkjet and my laser is HP.
 
However, Inkjet does CDs/DVDs very well. I personally do not know of any lasers that print on optical media... I'm sure someone will let us know if there is...

Laser printers are more expensive and the toner is too, however toner does not need replacing as often as ink.

I prefer Epson Inkjet myself. I bought my all in one scanner, copier, printer, card reader from Staples as an open box demo for $50 2 years ago and it's still Kicking.
 
Tomorrow said:
Laser all the way. Ink cartridges are way overpriced and don't last long enough.
Click to expand...

They are... but why get an inkjet without CISS? Seems pointless to me, all my printers have CISS which makes them very cheap to operate.
 
I suffered with a crummy Epson inkjet - nothing but trouble. Was about to buy a cheap colour laser but got a free all in one HP with my macbookpro and it has been a revelation. I am really happy with the print quality and ink is lasting fine. I do not print much and no clogging.
 
opeter said:
What is CISS?
Click to expand...

Ask Google: ciss

Great to see CISS systems have come way down in price. Last time I looked into this, which was several years ago, CISS systems cost several hundred pounds, but now I see they're only a few dollars. Great!

I swore never to buy an inkjet again - only lasers, but now that CISS systems are cheap, I may reconsider.
 
Laser for you as it is only text and non photo graphics that you are concerned with. Dell's printers are actually well priced and efficient.
 
I have one of each. In general, I use the color laser for day-to-day printing and consider it to be less of a pain in the rear than inkjets. However, Inkjets do have their place and I use mine for photos and a few other specific tasks.

Laser:
+Fantastic quality text and graphics
+Very fast printing, even when printing full-page graphics
+Toner lasts a long time (years with modest use) before needing a refill
+Trouble-free (no clogged jets etc)

-In general, larger than inkjets, especially color lasers
-More expensive initially than inkjets
-Color photo quality is so-so
-Toner is expensive to replace

Inkjets:
+Fantastic quality text, graphics and photos
+Initially relatively inexpensive
+Quiet
+Can print on CDs

-Relatively slow printing
-Ink is expensive
-Ink runs out relatively quickly (unless using CISS)
-Potential for more maintenance (clogged jets etc)
 
Agree with laser for text and inkjets for photos.

Some more issues with inkjets:

- Will clog up unless used regularly. (ink in the print heads dries up or something). Some inkjets clog in only a few weeks. This is more of a problem if you have a laser for your text documents, as then you use the inkjet less. (laser toner almost never clogs or expires - using a laser once a year is fine)

- Many inkjets will not let you print anything at all if only one colour is low. (ie. no b+w only prints if red or green is low)

- Often the ink cartridges have expiry dates on them, so the chips will refuse to let them be used, even if they are still full of ink.

- researching if these gotcha's apply to the model of inkjet you are considering buying is a royal pain in the ass, and sometimes impossible to answer satisfactorily.
 
My comments in bold.

9Speed said:
Laser:
+Fantastic quality text and graphics
+Very fast printing, even when printing full-page graphics
+Toner lasts a long time (years with modest use) before needing a refill
+Trouble-free (no clogged jets etc)

-In general, larger than inkjets, especially color lasers
-More expensive initially than inkjets
-Color photo quality is so-so
-Toner is expensive to replace Not on a cost per sheet basis.

Inkjets:
+Fantastic quality text, graphics and photos Sorry, I've never seen text quality from any inkjet that could match even a middle-of-the-road laser printer. Graphics and photos inkjet wins, hands-down.
+Initially relatively inexpensive
+Quiet Not any more so than a laser.
+Can print on CDs Very few can do this.

-Relatively slow printing
-Ink is expensive
-Ink runs out relatively quickly (unless using CISS)
-Potential for more maintenance (clogged jets etc)
Click to expand...
 
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