Choosing Between A HP Color LaserJet 1500lxi Printer And A Color Inkjet Printer

Your home office isn't complete without a printer but which one should you choose? Can your office survive with a basic color inkjet printer? Or does it need something a little more robust like the HP Color LaserJet 1500lxi printer using the exceptional 1500lxi laser cartridges? Here are a few things to keep in mind when comparing the two to decide which one is best for you.

What is the True Cost?

The major difference between a laser and inkjet printer is in their cost. Inkjets can be purchased for as little as $60 whereas a laser printer can easily cost over a $1,000 for a basic model. At the outset, it would seem that buying an inkjet would be the better deal but appearances can be deceiving.

You must take into consideration the total cost of ownership. This includes the price of replacement ink cartridges. Although the printer itself is cheaper, the inkjet cartridges tend to be more expensive over the long haul because they need to be replaced more often. Conversely, laser ink cartridges pan out to be cheaper because you can get more pages per cartridge.

Comparative Print Quality

When it comes to printing in black, laser printers produce better quality pages than inkjets using HP toner supplies. Since the ink gets bonded to the paper before it is sent out to the user, there is less chance of smudging that sometimes occurs with inkjets. Lastly, laser printers can produce printed pages quicker reducing wait time.

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.

Longevity of Hardware

To keep the retail costs low, inkjet printers are made cheaply which causes them to wear out faster and need replacing. Because they spray ink on a page, the print heads can become clogged over time and print quality can worsen as the years go by. On the plus side, they are small and lightweight which makes them a good portable option.

Laser printers are large and bulky and take up more space which means they can't be moved around as easily as an inkjet. To make up for it, they tend to be a longer lasting machine when they are taken care of. They have a lot of small parts but those parts can be easily replaced if they break which helps you avoid having to buy a whole new machine.

There are benefits and drawbacks to purchasing either type of printer. The decision about which one to buy really boils down to what you need. If you do a lot of color printing or have a low volume of text printing then an inkjet would probably be your best option. On the other hand, if you do quite a bit of text printing then a laser printer, like the HP Color LaserJet 1500lxi printer, would probably be the better deal. Either way, make sure you shop around to find the best price you can.

You'll want to continue to shop around for HP Color LaserJet 1500lxi toners if that printer fits your business needs best. Many online retailers sell quality HP color laserjet laser cartridges and you will find that comparing prices is the way to go when ordering cartridges.

- Ben Pate