Like computers and other technological devices, desktop printers have a finite lifespan and are vulnerable to problems like obsolescence and wear and tear. If your printer has mechanical issues or can’t keep up with your printing demands, it makes sense to replace it. A new model is also worthwhile if it offers you superior technology, cost reductions, or better PC and mobile device compatibility.
- Poor Print Quality or Reliability
The mechanical components of a printer operate with extreme accuracy to create crisp, clear pages. The resolution of text and graphics produced by a standard desktop model can reach 1,200 dots per inch; this means that each dot must be placed precisely for high-quality printing. In order to avoid streaks and an uneven look on the page, the mechanism must also provide a precise amount of ink to the paper. Although ink and toner cartridges, which are exchangeable parts of a printer, are crucial for print quality, other parts ultimately deteriorate. Reduced dependability also results in irritating downtime and paper jams due to mechanical wear. Although a costly printer can be worth a repair visit, you might be better off buying a new one instead of the less expensive one.
- Insufficient Speed
In terms of pages per minute (PPM), desktop printer speeds typically range from 1 to 50 PPM. In general, faster printers cost more, and laser printers are quicker as a whole than inkjet versions. When a printer becomes too sluggish for your purposes, you usually have to replace it because there aren’t many ways to increase its pace. For instance, you could have previously had sole use of a printer but are now required to share it with two coworkers. You might be able to justify a speedier model if the wait time for print jobs has become an issue.
- Technology Improvements
Since the early days of personal computing, desktop printer technology has advanced significantly; print quality has increased and many models offer functions not present in earlier generations. The capacity to read Secure Digital cards and other portable media, as well as near-photographic quality and wireless networking, are all features offered by different printer models in 2013. Replace your outdated printer with a more modern one if you can gain from more modern printing technology.
- Cost
The price per page for different printer types might vary substantially. Although a laser printer normally costs less to buy than an inkjet one, the cost per page is lower for a laser. Inkjet printers may cost anywhere between 25 cents and $1 per page, whereas laser printing costs around 15 cents per page when taking into account the price of ink and toner cartridges and the number of printed pages each produces. A laser printer will cost less over time if you use an inkjet printer to print more than a few hundred pages each month.
