Color laser or inkjet printer for home. Which printer is better to buy for your home - which printing technology is better. How to Choose the Best Printer for Home Use

There is no need to explain the purpose of the printer to anyone. Without this brilliant invention of mankind, the life of modern schoolchildren and students would be much more difficult, and no one would be able to print photos at home. Better printer there can only be an MFP, a multifunctional device that allows you to copy and scan. Some devices can also send a fax, and given that the speed and printing technology may differ, it will be difficult to navigate the existing assortment. Let's figure out how to choose a printer for your home and understand which technology will be preferable in certain conditions. We will also highlight the best printers for home 2017/2018.

Let's not pull the cat by the tail, and understand all the complex and boring intricacies of the device different printers– let’s get straight to the point and find out what parameters should be used to base the choice of a home or office assistant.

No. 1. Printing technology

The following types of printers are suitable for home:

• inkjet printers. These are compact and inexpensive devices that print well in both black and white and color. If you are going to print mainly photos, then it is better to take jet printer. The printing technology involves spraying drops of ink through the nozzles of print heads. The main disadvantage you will encounter only some time after the purchase is cartridge replacement cost, which is sometimes almost the same as the cost of a new printer. You can cheat and refill the device with ink yourself, but a number of manufacturers put special chips on the cartridges that do not allow them to be reused - you will have to buy a new cartridge. Another problem is ink drying out and print heads clogging, so it's better to print something regularly. You can reduce the cost of each printed sheet thanks to CISS installation(continuous printing feed system) – relevant for those who print a lot of photos;
• laser printers. The cost is higher than that of inkjet, and the price of each printed page, on the contrary, is very low. You don't have to refill the printer every month or month and a half: average toner life – 1000 pages. Printing is done with powder paint, which is contained in the toner. If you need to print a lot of reports, abstracts and other black and white documents, then a laser printer is the best choice. economical and the least problematic solution. There is no need to clean anything, but pages print very quickly. There are color laser printers, but they are not suitable for printing photos, as they transfer basic shades to paper. But they will cope with printing charts, graphs and other simple illustrations with a bang;
  
• sublimation printer When printing, it uses the process of sublimation, the transition of dye from a solid state to a gaseous state, and is fixed on paper. The technology provides very accurate color reproduction, but is expensive. This is an option for a keen photographer who wants to organize a whole photo printing studio at home.

Is there some more thermal printers, which are used to print receipts in supermarkets and ATMs. They require special paper, and the text on it appears due to the point effect high temperature. This is not a home option, just like solid ink printer. The latter is very similar to laser, only its color printing is of higher quality, it prints quickly and is very expensive.

No. 2. Color or black and white?

Students and office workers usually have enough black and white printing. Perfect fit black and white laser printer, which can handle large volumes and print everything quickly. If you plan to frequently print color images, then it is more profitable to take color inkjet printer with CISS. Print color is one of the the most important parameters printer, so before purchasing it is very important to think through the main printing scenarios.

No. 3. Paper size

Most household printers print on paper A4 format, and you don’t need more. In 98% of cases. Therefore, you don’t need to bother too much with this parameter if you don’t need to print large drawings. In this case, it is better to pay attention to printers that can print on paper A3 format. There are office professional printers that print on paper A2 and A1. On the contrary, there are smaller printers that can print on pages format A5 and A6. These are used to produce sublimation printers, as well as compact portable devices.

By the way, paper trays are also different. For the home, one that accommodates not a large number of pages - 50-150, and for an office it is better to choose a more spacious option.

No. 4. Print speed

If you are going to print a lot and constantly, then to save nerves and save time, it is better to take a device with a higher printing speed (measured in pages/minute). Even the simplest laser printer will not make you nervous - it prints very quickly. With jets everything is more complicated. If they can print black and white even more or less quickly, then they have to wait up to 2 minutes for a color print.

No. 5. Additional features

We won’t even talk about the fact that there are MFPs that can not only print, but also copy and scan. These are such popular devices that when we talk about printers, we often mean printer + scanner + copier.

Among additional functions can be distinguished:

• automatic two-sided printing useful in the office when print volumes are high and there is no time to constantly manually turn sheets. Students, as a rule, need one-sided printing, and if necessary, you can turn the sheet over several times and not overpay for this function;
• ability to connect to the network. This is also a function for offices, although in certain conditions it will be useful at home. Network printers are connected not to one specific computer, but to the whole network, and you can print the document from any computer in it. Typically, the connection is made to local network wired way, but it is also possible wireless connection via Wi-Fi, if the printer and all network devices support this technology. In this case, you can print documents and photos even from a smartphone;
• memory card slot allows you to print a photo immediately after it is taken. All you have to do is remove the memory card from the camera, insert it into the printer, press a few buttons and get a printed frame. The function is practically not in demand in everyday life;
• Fax necessary in the office, and even then not always, so don’t overpay for unnecessary features.

If the noise level is important, then pay attention to this parameter. As for manufacturers, printers have long and firmly established themselves in the market Canon, HP, Xerox, Epson and Samsung.

Best printers for home 2017/2018

Canon PIXMA MG3040

An excellent MFP, compact, convenient and functional. Suitable for printing documents and photos. The latter come out of very decent quality, since the minimum The volume of the drop here is only 2 pl. The volume of a drop can be compared to the size of a pixel: the smaller it is, the clearer the picture. Maximum color printing resolution – 4800*1200, black and white – 1200*1200, one color photograph measuring 10*15 cm will be printed in 44 s – a good indicator. The printer can print not only on plain paper, but also photo paper, glossy paper and envelopes. The model has a built-in Wi-Fi module (function AirPrint allows you to print documents wirelessly), small screen and during operation consumes 10 W. The problem of quickly running out of ink can be solved self-refueling. For the money, this is an excellent printer, compact, not very noisy and with high print quality.

Ricoh SP 150w

Good laser printer. For an affordable price, the user receives an economical printing device. Black and white prints with a maximum resolution of 1200*600 will come out at high speed; the printer needs 25 seconds to warm up. It is possible to print on labels, films, envelopes, and cards. The printer has a Wi-Fi module, consumes 800 W during operation, and prints quietly. Setting up the device is simple and easy; compactness is also an advantage, but the disadvantage is the lack of AirPrint technology, which is very strange when Wi-Fi available module. When installing special application It becomes possible to print wirelessly, but only images. Otherwise, everything is fine - this is a good desktop option for printing documents.

Canon PIXMA G3400

The price, of course, is steep, but if you carefully look at what you get for your money, the savings are obvious. The printer is already equipped CISS, so it will use ink as economically as possible, a color cartridge will be enough to print 7000 prints, black and white – 6000. The quality of color printing is excellent, minimum size drops – 2 pl, maximum resolution– 4800*1200, however, you will have to wait longer for the photo to be printed. A photograph measuring 10*15 cm is printed in 60 s. The device scans, of course, faster - it takes 19 seconds to scan an A4 sheet. Among other things, the printer has Wi-Fi support and AirPrint, during operation consumes 14 W. The only downside is the price, but according to reviews, this device is worth every penny and is called by many users one of the best printers for the home.

Xerox Phaser 3020BI

Xerox focuses on professional printing equipment. This model, for example, is intended for small office, but also as home printer will do. The device copes with its main task with a bang - it prints efficiently and quickly, it can produce up to 15,000 pages per month, it allows you to print on films, labels, cards, glossy and matte paper, it has Wi-Fi interface and wireless printing with AirPrint. During operation it consumes 313 W, one toner will last for a really long time. An excellent option for students, teachers, office workers and anyone who has to type a lot. As for laser printer, this device is quite compact.

Epson L486

One of the best printers for those who plan to print color photos a lot and often. This module is distinguished from numerous analogues by its printing technology. It does not use thermal inkjet printing, but piezoelectric inkjet technology . It allows you to make better quality prints, adjust the droplet size and provides high print resolution. The print head is attached to the printer itself, and not to a replacement cartridge. This device can print from maximum resolution 5760*1440 at a fairly high speed. Minimum drop volume 3 pl. Borderless printing is supported. It will take 69 seconds to print the photo. Already installed on the printer CISS, there is support AirPrint and memory cards. All this is worth the money and will pay off with interest.

Canon PIXMA G1400

An excellent option in terms of price/quality ratio. The printer is equipped CISS, prints good quality photo, minimum drop size is 2 pl, consumables are inexpensive, so if you have to print a lot, both in color and in black and white, this good model, only there is no copier or scanner here- be careful.

Samsung Xpress M2070W

A good device for a small office or home if you need to print a lot. The device is quite simple to operate, prints quickly, makes noise at 50 dB and consumes 310 W. You can change the scale when copying. In general, the device is very good, there are minor glitches, but they do not spoil the impression of the device.

HP DeskJet Ink Advantage Ultra 4729

A decent inkjet printer that does a good job of printing documents and photos. It works quickly, does not make much noise, takes up little space, is simple and convenient to use, great for home use, and economical. The cartridge resource is sufficient, and consumables are not very expensive. In terms of price/quality ratio it is a very good printer.

Canon PIXMA MG2540S

Let's finish our rating of the best printers for the home very cheap device. It is well suited for those who print often, but not a lot. It is difficult to judge this device strictly, given its cost. WITH basic functions It does an excellent job, it prints documents and color images normally, but it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to print photos of the highest quality with it – for this you need a slightly different device. The main disadvantage is the inability to refill the cartridge and install the CISS, since there is a chip that requires replacing the cartridge after a certain number of printed pages. This is still a good option for home use.

Good day, my dear subscribers and new readers! Today I want to talk to you about a very important and relevant topic for our time. Digital technologies have become so firmly entrenched in our lives that even in everyday life we ​​can’t imagine ourselves without them.

And today, just as we cannot live without an iron, microwave or vacuum cleaner in the house, it is difficult for us to imagine our life without a printer. And I will tell you in this article how to choose the right printer for home use so that it serves efficiently and for a long time.

Why do you need a printer at home?

This is exactly the question everyone reading this article must be asking themselves right now. After all, if you need to print out any document, you can contact a special office, of which there are many today in large and small cities. Such office equipment is necessary only for offices or offices where they work with documentation. And, indeed, we can agree with this: it seems that the average person does not need printing services so often.

But in fact, a person needs this service much more often than he thinks. So, we need a printer at home for printouts:

• photos
• coloring books, puzzles, puzzles and others educational materials for children
• various recipes for housewives
• any useful information
• electronic checks, tickets
• work information if you work from home
• documents needed at school, hospital, traffic police or at work

As you can see, the range of uses of this type of office equipment at home is quite wide.

I think those who have not yet purchased such equipment are seriously thinking about buying it.

But, in order not to make a mistake and choose a good machine, think about the purposes for which you need it, what format of documents you will print, how often you will print.

Is it worth spending money on something that will just take up space in your home and collect dust?

Overview of types of printers for home use

The variety of different types of office equipment and equipment in stores can be confusing common man who does not understand these issues. I think there is no need to explain that managers in service centers They are aimed, first of all, at pushing away goods, and those that are more expensive.

And for home use you don't need expensive equipment, with some exceptions, of course. Here are examples of types of printers that are quite suitable for home use:

• Inkjet – suitable for printing small text documents and high quality photographs;
• Laser – capable of printing text and graphic files;
• An MFP is a multifunctional device designed for printing, as well as copying and scanning; MFPs are most often used in offices.

Now that we have listed all the types of printers, let's take a detailed look at each of them so that each of you can decide which model is right for you. And, of course, you have the right to know not only about the advantages of these printers, but also the disadvantages that they have.

• Jet

The advantages of the inkjet include: low cost and the highest print quality. Photos printed on it sometimes turn out better than professional ones.

The disadvantage of this model is that the ink in the cartridges does not last long, only 200 sheets. Inkjet cartridges are replaceable, and refilling them is expensive. In addition, the paint in them dries quickly if the equipment is not used, so I would recommend printing at least two sheets a week so that the device does not stand idle.

You don’t need any special skills to refill cartridges; you can do it yourself with a syringe. So, if you have the opportunity to buy paint somewhere cheaper, for example, through friends, then a device such as an inkjet will suit you.

• Laser

This printer comes in black and white and color. There are many advantages to this type of technology. It has a high printing speed; the cartridge is refilled not with ink, but with powder, which prevents it from drying out.

One refill is enough to print up to 2000 A4 sheets.

The cartridge is refilled in specialized workshops, but if you get used to it, you can do it yourself at home.

Both refilling from a specialist and buying a can of powder are inexpensive.

In addition, if the need arises to change the cartridge, its cost is acceptable. The only drawback of these printers is their high cost. But, since equipment maintenance is cheap, the technology justifies itself.

Here, of course, we will talk about technology at a completely different level.

By the way, interesting fact: when MFPs first appeared on the market, they were popularly called “harvesters.”

The main advantage of an MFP is its versatility; it can print, make copies and scan. Most often, MFPs are used in offices due to the variety of functions and wide capabilities. The disadvantage of MFPs is their high cost. If you do not use its capabilities in full force, which means you don't need it.

Choosing a printer for your home

How to choose the right printing equipment for your home? What points should you pay attention to when choosing? Firstly, of course, the cost of the device.

Remember that quality will never be cheap. This always happens. Have you ever bought cheap shoes? How long did it last you? Cheap sneakers fall apart after the first rain. It’s the same with a printer: it’s better not to waste money, but the device will serve you for many years without repair.

Purchase equipment in specialized stores where it is provided warranty service. Please note the manufacturer. The following brands, which are among the top 5 companies, have proven themselves positively in the office equipment market:

• Xerox
• Hewlett-Packard (HP)
• Canon
• Epson
• Samsung

Let's take a closer look at each of these brands.

Xerox

For many years, this company has occupied a leading position in the world market. All inventions and innovations in the field of laser technology belong to this company. The brand focuses on users who use wide possibilities printing equipment. MFP.

Interesting fact: Many people even express it this way when they want to say copy :) please make a photocopy of this document :)

Xerox are distinguished by high quality and speed of printing, ease of maintenance, and affordability. There is also ColorQube technology (printing without a cartridge).

Hewlett-Packard (HP)

IN 1975 that brand released the first laser models“LaserJet”, which, of course, we still use in an improved form.

Without exaggeration, Hewlett-Packard (HP) can be called a giant in the office equipment market. In assortment trademark There are constantly more than 150 models of printing equipment: from powerful MFPs to simple lasers and inkjet printers.

Canon

In 1988 this company released a model "Canon BJC-440", marking the beginning of color printing.

The company is known for the variety of equipment it produces: Canon produces cameras, video cameras, copying machines, as well as medical equipment.

Epson

It was this company that released the first inkjet model in 1964 and continues to develop inkjet and laser printing technologies to this day.

The Japanese manufacturer produces printers with continuous ink supply technology. That is, the problem that the ink is printed unevenly on the sheet will never affect you - the ink level is adjusted itself in accordance with the settings.

Samsung

The Korean company successfully adapts the best practices of global manufacturers, introducing the latest technologies. The equipment produced by this company is designed for the average person, that is, for ordinary people with average income.

Therefore the cost is inexpensive. But I would like to say the quality is at a high level.

Which model to choose for home use

When choosing a printer specifically for your home, pay attention to the tasks it will perform. For example, if you only want to print photos, then an inkjet photo printer is perfect for this purpose. If you print in large quantities text files, then buy a laser one. An MFP with all its capabilities is suitable for working at home or studying.

As can be seen from the above points, the choice of copying equipment depends on the needs of its potential buyer. It is worth noting that laser black and white printer is also a good option for home, but only if the user is not interested in printing a variety of images.

2. Which color printer, laser or inkjet, which is better?

Color laser copiers do an excellent job with text documents and regular images; printing is faster than with inkjet counterparts, which will definitely satisfy the needs of most office organizations. Inkjet printers are a very good option for those who love to print. high quality photos, given their lower cost, we can conclude that such a device will be excellent and useful look office equipment in its owner's house.

Traditionally, inkjet printers are considered a classic option for everyday use at home, but during their use, you should not forget about periodically replacing color cartridges. Regarding monochrome printing of texts, this type The copier demonstrates decent brightness and quality results. The user of an inkjet printer must understand that although the device itself is not as expensive as its laser counterpart, replaceable ink cartridges quickly compensate for the initial price of the equipment. The disadvantages of inkjet printers also include their need to print on high-quality paper. Otherwise, the printer may become clogged, which will lead to inevitable problems.

Printing on a laser printer does not require constant replacement of cartridges; the toner of such a device requires long term service without extra charge. Laser printers can produce equally high-quality printing on quite a variety of types of paper media. A significant disadvantage of such copying equipment, especially the color version, is the price. The initial cost will require serious investments, but over the long term, the costs will cover themselves.

Analyzing the specific needs of customers, the following conclusions can be drawn:

• An inkjet printer is great for printing photos.
• In case of rather rare printing needs small volumes text documents, you can purchase an inkjet printer.
• If the user needs to print a large amount of text, it is wiser to choose a laser printer.
• If the buyer is interested in saving in the future and is willing to invest more a large sum At the initial stage, it is worth purchasing a laser printer.

Hello.

I think I won’t discover America by saying that a printer is extremely useful thing. Moreover, not only for students (who simply need it to print coursework, reports, diplomas, etc.), but also for other users.

Nowadays you can find various types of printers on sale, the price of which can differ tens of times. This is probably why there are a lot of questions regarding the printer. In this short reference article I will look at the most popular questions regarding the printers that I am asked (the information will be useful for those who choose new printer for home). So…

The article has omitted some technical terms and points in order to make it understandable and readable for a wide range of users. Only disassembled current issues users that almost everyone encounters when searching for a printer...

1) Types of printers (inkjet, laser, matrix)

Most questions come about this. True, users do not ask the question “types of printers”, but “which printer is better: inkjet or laser?” (For example).

In my opinion, the easiest way to show the pros and cons of each type of printer is in the form of a plate: it turns out very clearly.

My conclusions:

1. If you are buying a printer for printing photos, it is better to choose a regular inkjet printer (preferably a model that can later be installed with a continuous supply of ink - important for those who will print a lot of photos). An inkjet printer is also suitable for those who occasionally print small documents: abstracts, reports, etc.
2. A laser printer is, in principle, a universal machine. Suitable for all users, except those who plan to print high-quality color pictures. A color laser printer is inferior in photo quality (today) to an inkjet printer. The price of the printer and cartridge (including its refill) is more expensive, but in general, if you make a full calculation, the cost of printing will be cheaper than with an inkjet printer.
3. Buying a color laser printer for the home, in my opinion, is not entirely justified (at least until the price drops...).

Important point. Regardless of what type of printer you choose, I would also check one detail with the same store: how much does a new cartridge cost for this printer and how much does it cost to refill it (refillability). Because the joy of the purchase may disappear after the ink runs out - many users will be very surprised to learn that some printer cartridges cost as much as the printer itself!

2) How to connect the printer. Connection interfaces

The vast majority of printers that can be found on sale support the USB standard. As a rule, there are no connection problems, except for one subtlety...

I don’t know why, but often manufacturers do not include a cable with the printer to connect it to the computer. Sellers usually remind you of this, but not always. Many novice users (who are encountering this for the first time) have to run to the store twice: once to get a printer, the second to get a connection cable. Be sure to check the package when purchasing!

Ethernet

If you plan to print to a printer from several computers on a local network, you may want to opt for a printer that supports an Ethernet interface. Although, of course, this option is rarely chosen for home use, more it is important to take a printer from Wi-Fi support or Bluetooth.

The LPT interface is now becoming less and less common (it used to be a standard (very popular interface)). By the way, many PCs are still equipped with this port to be able to connect such printers. There is no point in looking for such a printer for your home these days!

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Printers are more expensive price category often equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. And I have to tell you - the thing is extremely convenient! Imagine walking around your apartment with a laptop, working on a report - then you press the print button and the document is sent to the printer and printed out in a moment. In general, this add. The option in the printer will save you from unnecessary wires in the apartment (although it takes longer for the document to be transferred to the printer - but in general, the difference is not so significant, especially if you are printing text information).

3) MFP - is it worth choosing a multifunctional device?

Recently, MFPs have been in demand on the market: devices that combine a printer and a scanner (+ fax, sometimes also a telephone). These devices are extremely convenient for photocopies - you put a sheet of paper and press one button - the copy is ready. As for the rest, I personally don’t see any big advantages (having a separate printer and scanner - you can remove the second one altogether and take it out whenever you need to scan something).

In addition, any normal camera is capable of taking excellent photos of books, magazines, etc. - that is, practically replacing a scanner.

HP MFP: scanner and printer complete with automatic sheet feeder

MFP advantages:

Multi-functionality;

Cheaper than buying each device separately;

Quick photocopy;

As a rule, there is an auto-feed: imagine how much easier this will be if you are copying 100 sheets. With automatic feeding: loaded the sheets into the tray, pressed the button and went to drink tea. Without it, each sheet would have to be turned over and placed on the scanner manually...

Disadvantages of MFPs:

Bulky (relative to a conventional printer);

If the MFP breaks, you will lose both the printer and scanner (and other devices) at once.

4) Which brand should I choose: Epson, Canon, HP...?

There are a lot of questions about the brand. But here it is impossible to answer in monosyllables. Firstly, I would not look at a specific manufacturer - the main thing is that it is a well-known manufacturer of copiers. Secondly, it is much more important to look at the technical characteristics of the device and reviews real users such a device (in the age of the Internet - it’s easy!). It’s even better, of course, if you are recommended by a friend who has several printers at work and sees the work of each one with his own eyes...

Name some specific model- even more difficult: by the time you read the article, this printer may no longer be on sale...

That's all for me. I would be grateful for additions and constructive comments. All the best :)