In a home office, you often can’t do without a multifunction printer (MFP). This device prints documents, scans, copies and sometimes sends faxes. However, choosing the right device is not an easy task, given the many available models with different characteristics. Let’s take a look at how to choose a good printer.
Printer printing type: laser or inkjet
The first thing to do when choosing an MFP is to decide on the type of printing. The main options are two: laser and inkjet printers.
Laser printer
Laser printers are best for those who plan to print large volumes of documents, mostly text. They are faster and have a more economical toner consumption. Laser printers are also less likely to require cartridge replacement. However, they tend to be less efficient for printing colour images or high-resolution photos.
Inkjet printer
Inkjet printers are suitable for those who frequently print colour images, graphics or photos. These printers provide more detailed colour reproduction, so are ideal for graphic design or photo processing. However, they can be slower and ink requires frequent replacement, especially for intensive colour printing.
Features: what should be in the perfect MFP?
Multifunction printers are manufactured with different sets of features, and it’s important to choose a model that fully meets your needs.
Printing, copying and scanning
These are the basic features that should be present in any home office MFP. If you often work with documents that need to be copied or scanned, pay attention to the quality of the scanner. High scanning resolution is important if you plan to digitise documents or images in good quality.
Fax
Faxes are not very popular these days, but this feature can be useful for some professionals if your job involves exchanging legal or financial documents.
Two-sided printing (duplex)
Automatic duplex printing saves paper and time by making the printing process more convenient. This is important if you plan to print large documents, reports or studies.
Wi-Fi connectivity
The ability to connect to a wireless network allows you to print from any device within the office, whether it’s a computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet. This feature also allows multiple users to connect to the same printer without a cable.
Print speed and volume of a multifunction printer
Print speed and volume are important when choosing a printer if you need to print significant volumes of documents.
Print speed
Pay attention to print speed, which is measured in pages per minute (ppm). For a home office, a speed of around 20-30 pages per minute for text documents is optimal.
Print volume
If you need to print large quantities, it is worth considering the capacity of the cartridges or toner and the size of the paper tray. Printers with a large paper tray (250-500 sheets) can make your work much easier as they don’t need to be filled frequently.
Energy efficiency and operating costs
You need to consider not only the cost of the device itself, but also its running costs – ink or toner replacement, paper and energy consumption.
Ink and toner savings
Laser printers are usually more economical in the long run, as toner is used up more slowly than ink in inkjet printers. However, if high quality colour printing is important to you, look for models with ink saving systems.
Energy efficiency
Printers that are certified energy efficient use less electricity, reducing running costs and making the device more environmentally friendly.
Cost of consumables
Before buying a printer, check the prices of cartridges or toners. Sometimes cheap printers may require expensive consumables.
Choosing a multifunction printer for your home office is an important decision that depends on your work tasks and needs. Consider all features to ensure that your printer remains cost-effective and efficient in the long run.