Stage 2 of 6: Understand
Printer Types
4 guides
Printer categories overlap: an inkjet can be an all-in-one, an all-in-one can be a laser, and a laser can print only in black. Understanding the building blocks makes product listings much easier to read.
These explainers describe how each technology works at a consumer level and the trade-offs that come with it. None of them is “best” for everyone.
Printer Types guides
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Inkjet vs Laser Printer: Which Suits the Way You Print?
Inkjet vs laser printer explained: how each works, print quality, speed, idle periods and running costs, so you can match the technology to your printing.
5 min read
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Ink Tank vs Cartridge Printers: Costs and Trade-Offs
Ink tank vs cartridge printer compared fairly: upfront price, refill bottles, cost per page, mess, idle periods and who each type suits best.
5 min read
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All-in-One Printers Explained: Print, Scan, Copy and Fax
An all-in-one printer prints, scans and copies, and sometimes faxes. How each part works, what a document feeder adds and when single-function is better.
5 min read
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Monochrome vs Color Printers: Do You Need Color?
Monochrome vs color printer: what each is good at, how color affects running costs and maintenance, and how to tell if black-only printing will do.
5 min read