subject: Should I Buy An All-in-one Printer? [print this page] It was not too long ago when the typical home office had separate machines for printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. This not only took up a lot of desk space, but also cost the user hundreds of extra bucks. Fortunately, those days are far behind us. Now, you can purchase an all-in-one printer that offers any feature you could possibly want for your office! All-in-one printers will save you time, money, electricity, and space!
Many all-in-one printers offer copy, scan, fax, and print options, plus excellent photo printing and wireless networking. All-in-one printers are sold in both inkjet and laser models. In general, inkjet all-in-one printers are more affordable than laser all-in-ones; however, laser printers are gaining in popularity and, as a result, their price tag is decreasing.
To help you choose which all-in-one printer is right for you, let's examine a few vital components of any all-in-one printer.
Functionality
Functionality is the top reason anyone would buy an all-in-one printer. Other than its printing abilities, what else can the all-in-one do? Most all-in-one printers offer print, scan, and copy capabilities. If you or your business needs a photo printer as well, be sure your all-in-one supports photo printing, including various photo paper sizes and vivid print resolution.
Higher-end all-in-one models also allow users to fax. If you do not need a fax machine, you're better off buying an all-in-one with a top-of-the-line printer and scanner combo than a second-rate printer, scanner, and fax.
If your office wants to conserve paper, you'll want to buy an all-in-one printer that supports duplex printing. This not only speeds up print jobs, but also saves trees!
Print and Fax Speed
Print speed is vital for any office printer. Most all-in-one printers offer quick print speeds, especially for black and white pages. The best print speeds start at 35 pages per minute. Due to market competition, many all-in-ones now offer this speed.
If you buy an all-in-one printer with a fax machine, be sure to research its fax speed. You don't want to tie up your phone line for too long, so fax speed is often just as important as print speed.
Print and Scan Resolution
The higher your printer's resolution, the better the printouts. Often, though, the better the resolution, the slower the print speeds. Whether you're printing memos, spreadsheets, brochures, or photographs, you'll want your all-in-one to have a color inkjet resolution of at least 4,800 x 1,200 dpi, and a black and white resolution of 600 x 600 dpi.
As for scanning resolution, your all-in-one should have at least 600 x 1,200 dpi and 24 bits. The higher these figures, the crisper the scans.
Connection Options
Before you choose which all-in-one printer you want, learn more about its connectivity. Does it offer WiFi, Ethernet, or memory card connectivity? Choose the printer that best corresponds with your needs.
Cartridge Affordability
We have all come to learn that printer cartridges can rapidly surpass the price of a printer. It seems ridiculous to many consumers that a small ink or toner cartridge can cost up to 35 dollars apiece. Now, there's a cheaper option.
Remanufactured ink cartridges are not only affordable, but they also reduce the toxic chemicals that end up in landfills. Remanufactured ink cartridges are recycled cartridges that have been cleaned, refurbished, and refilled by skilled professionals. Plus, remanufactured printer cartridges are thoroughly tested to ensure that they are compatible with printers.
So whichever all-in-one printer you choose, be sure to buy remanufactured ink or toner from a reputable remanufactured ink supplier!
