How to Choose a Printer

Printer is a peripheral hardware device that creates a permanent representation of graphics or text on paper. Originally the term was applied only to print devices but the technology has expanded and now we see printers as part of many other devices such as bar code scanners or plotters.

When choosing a new printer there are many factors to take into consideration. Some of these include cost, quality and ease of maintenance. Another important feature to consider is the amount of memory the device has as well as the type of I/O interface it uses. These are all essential for finding a printer that will suit your needs.

In order to choose the best printer it is a good idea to have an initial budget in mind and compare the features of different models. For example, some printers have feed trays that are not limited to A4-sized pieces of paper while others can accommodate envelopes or index cards. Additionally, some models have a high number of dots per inch (DPI) which will result in a more detailed print. This is ideal for printing photographs and technical documents but may be unnecessary for some users.

Some manufacturers use a business model known as the razor and blades principle which means that they sell the printer at a low price and make the majority of their profits on the sale of ink cartridges and other replacement parts. This has caused some legal disputes between manufacturers and retailers. Many consumers choose to save money on these costs by purchasing compatible ink and toner cartridges that are manufactured using the same standards as name brand products.