When it comes time to buy a printer, an important factor to consider is whether you prefer inkjet cartridges or laser toners. The decision you make can have long-term ramifications when it comes to your overall printing costs, as well as the quality you are looking for in your prints. You also need to think about the volume of printing you will be doing, since this affects how often you will be replacing cartridges, as well as how fast you need your items to print. Another consideration is whether you will be using the printer in a home.

Of course, with the current economic challenges we face, cost is of major concern when buying a printer. While laser printers generally are more expensive than inkjets initially, laser toners tend to last longer than inkjet cartridges. So in the long run, your total operating costs will be lower with laser toners. And if what you are printing needs to be of top quality, such as high resolution photos, inkjets will require a better grade of printing paper than will lasers, which will also result in increased expense over the long haul.

And if you are using your printer in an office instead of at home, laser printers can also be a better choice. More than likely, the volume of printing in an office will be much higher than at home. Since laser toners need to be replaced less often than inkjet cartridges, the overall cost to your business will be lower. And these days, businesses need to cut costs wherever possible. Also, the speed of printing is often important in an office setting, and laser printers normally print much faster than inkjets.

It should also be noted that are budget laser toners on the market today, which can save money. Remanufactured toner cartridges are now available, and are much less expensive than new ones. And not only will they save you money, they are also more environmentally friendly since they are made with recycled components. If you are a heavy user, you can buy your toner cartridges in bulk. This can serve as a convenience factor, since you don't have to worry about running out of toner right in the middle of a time-sensitive job.