3 Questions to Ask Before You Purchase a New Printer
December 5th, 2022 by Kevin Box
Let's face it, buying printers isn't glamorous. However, it's a purchasing decision that can pay dividends if done correctly. Below are three questions to ask when buying a new printer.
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Do I buy an enterprise-level device or an Over-the-Counter printer?
When looking to buy a printer for an organization, you should first look to go with an enterprise-level device because of its higher-yielding toner cartridges. This means you pay much less for each print because the cartridge yields higher print volumes and is typically only marginally higher in price.
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Why is security important?
Enterprise-level devices come with security built into the device at the BIOS level. Today's printers are more like computers with the same components, e.g., the devices will have a User Interface and a Hard Disk Drive and will allow for access to the Internet, to name a few similarities.
This means a printer can be hacked just the same as a computer, so having the right security built-in means the printer is less vulnerable to being hacked. Security is also more effective with more layers, so buying printers with built-in security will add security layers to your network.
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Does what we print really matter?
If you need a printer for general office printing, then a LaserJet device should be your choice. LaserJet's are cheaper to run and slightly better for the environment because of higher-yielding cartridges, which means you need to buy less of them. On the other hand, if you need high-resolution color prints, then a smaller Inkjet device could be the best choice. However, Inkjet devices are not manufactured to print high volumes, so you need to consider the quality of the print versus cost and the need to buy a new Inkjet printer more often because the device will wear out faster with volumes outside its volume rating. If you need to print large volumes of high-resolution prints, you may be better off outsourcing this to a local printer who would be able to produce better-quality prints at a lower cost.
If you need help with deciding which printer is right for your organization, give Function4 a call.
Posted in: Managed Print Services