Will You Need Printer Ink or Toner? If you're in the market for a new printer, it would be advantageous to take a look at ongoing sales during the holiday season. As retailers try to unload merchandise and get in the black, they will continue to reduce prices. For the informed consumer, it could be a great way to save money and find a printer for his needs. One of the big things you'll need to figure out is whether you want an ink printer or laser printer. Each offers different affordances and constraints.

The Case for the Laser Printer: If you've used a solid ink printer for a long time, you may be sick of printer ink. The printer tends to be noisier, and the printer heads get clogged easily. Unclogging the printer heads can be annoying and messy. They are also slower. If you're printing in bulk, you may be waiting for a while with a solid ink printer. A laser printer uses toner cartridges, which can print upwards of 5,000 pages. An ink cartridge produces nowhere near that. The print is cleaner than solid ink. If you print often, a laser printer will be cost-effective in the end.

The Case for the Solid-Ink Printer: Although a laser printer is quicker, that doesn't mean it prints quality. Solid ink printers are able to print with a much higher precision than laser printers. Moreover, if you don't print often, a laser printer is just a waste of money. They can be twice as expensive as ink cartridges. A laser printer, in itself, will run you a lot more money than a solid ink printer, and they are far less portable than solid ink printers as well.

In the end, the choice is up to your individual needs. Deciding which matches your needs better will help you score a good deal this holiday season.

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