Your printer is going to be an important part of your business. Therefore it is worth the trouble to take the time to choose the right one for your office. Although there are a number of printers on the market, the only real choice you need to make is whether to buy an inkjet printer or a laser printer like the HP Color LaserJet 1500lxi printer using Color laserjet 1500lxi laser cartridges.

Price Comparison

If price is a major factor then going with the cheapest option would seem like the best choice. After all, a good laser printer can cost upwards of a $1,000 dollars or more whereas an inkjet can be bought for as little as $60 dollars. This seems like a great deal when you are low on funds.

To determine the true cost of a printer you must go beyond the initial cost of the hardware. Printers use ink and you need to factor in the cost of replacement cartridges over the lifetime of the machine. Laser cartridges are more expensive but you can get thousands of pages out of a single cartridge. On the other hand, inkjet cartridges cost less but you can only get a hundred or so pages out of a cartridge before it needs replacing which actually makes the inkjet more expensive over the long term.

Comparative Print Quality

Laser printers have been well recognized as producing the best quality black on white printing around using HP color laserjet toner supplies. The text is crisp and sharp and since the ink is bonded to paper, you don't have to worry about smudging when you take it off the printer. An inkjet sprays ink on a page which means you usually have to wait a minute for the ink to dry before using the page.

Inkjet printers are superior to laser printers when it comes to color printing. Even with the advancements in color laser printing, inkjets do a much better job of printing in color especially for those who print a lot of photos. You can use glossy paper with an inkjet for increased color photo quality something you cannot do with a laser printer.

How Long Does the Hardware Last?

Inkjet printers need to be replaced more often. They are cheaply made and thus are subject to greater wear and tear than a laser printer. Additionally, the print head can get clogged due to the ink being sprayed on the page and print quality actually worsens over time. To their credit, inkjets are small and light enough to be carried around from home to office easily.

A properly maintained laser printer will last for a long time. Although they have more moving parts, it is easier to replace those singular parts if they breakdown negating the need to buy another unit as if often the case with inkjets. However, a major drawback is that they tend to be big and bulky requiring quite a bit of space.

The needs of your office will determine which type of printer you buy. Very small businesses and individuals can probably get away with using an inkjet because their printing volume tends to be very low. On the other hand, larger businesses should probably invest in a laser printer, like the HP Color LaserJet 1500lxi printer, since they tend to print a lot more over time. Carefully evaluate your office needs and then find the printer that meets those needs perfectly.

Many will find that this HP printer is what they need and cost comparisons for 1500lxi cartridges will bear out the smarter choice. Many retailers offer HP Ink toner cartridges, however, the smart consumer will find that online companies are much more competitive when it comes to toner cartridges.