what is the difference between ink jet and laser jet printers???

Question

and what would be the price difference on ink?? if any?

this is just for home use. maybe printing pics occasionally.....

Answer 1

Ink jet printers are still a fair bit cheaper than laser printers. The main difference is that Ink Jet printers print images by spraying a fine mist of very small ink droplets onto a sheet of paper. This technology can produce a very high quality image. (this is why you don't see any Laser photo printers).

Laser printers work by using a laser to electrostatically charge the paper, and then pass the paper over a drum which is coated in a very fine powder, called Toner. This then passes over a "fuser" which essentially bakes the toner onto the paper.

Lasers are good for higher yield jobs, where you are going to be printing large amounts of print jobs.

As far as which one is more expensive, it depends on what you plan to use it for. If it is just for normal, around the house printing, and if you have a digital camera, then I would stronly suggest picking up a Photo capable inkjet printer. It gives you the ability to print your daily requirements, as well as print a photo onto photo-paper which you can pick up at your local staples, which saves you a trip to the developer.

If it is a high-yield environment that you are in, such as an office, etc, then using a laser would probably be the better choice.

For a decent ink-jet printer, be ready to spend about $125.00 and then an additional $25.00 or so for each additional ink cartridge that you need to refill.

For a decent laser printer, your looking more in the area of $500 up to several thousand depending on your requirements, and about $80.00 per toner cartridge refill.

Answer 2

Ink jet printers spray ink through "jets" onto the paper. The ink tanks often require more freqent replacement. Laser printers use toner to "burn" the image onto the paper. It is more effecient and of higher quality then ink jets. Laser printers are more costly up front, but are more cost effective for high volume printing in the long run. You can check printer websites for number of pages per ink or toner refill.

Answer 3

Ink jet printers use ink to print out documents and pictures. Laser printers use toner and a laser to do the same. Ink jet printers are way less expensive to buy and the ink is way cheaper than buying a laser printer and buying the toner, which is quite pricey.

Answer 4

In terms of price, an inkjet has a lower initial cost, while a laserjet has a higher initial cost, a laserjet has a much lower per page cost. An inkjet may cost 10 - 20 cents per page, while an laserjet can cost as low as 1 - 2 cents a page.

Laserjets are also MUCH faster, and you can get a laserjet for around $150 now, so long all you need is black and white printing. Also, from my experience, laserjets can last longer and require less maintenance than inkjets. Most inkjets, once they are broke, it is more cost effective to buy a new printer than to repair the old one.

Answer 5

Inkjets are less expensive than laser printers. But the ink cost per page is higher in inkjet printers.