What is it: the cheapest printer?

New technologies are rapidly developing in the world of computer equipment, which not only contribute to the appearance of fundamentally new devices on the market, but also significantly reduce the price category of models that have been produced for a long time.

The abundance of various printing devices on the market is confusing for almost every customer, and only a sophisticated expert can answer the question: what is the cheapest printer?

Cheapest doesn't mean worst

Is there a need to purchase a printing device for home use? And how else, because having such an assistant at home, you get rid of going to print service centers that are so time-consuming.

The idea is right, because today you can buy an inexpensive model that will satisfy all your needs, spending an amount of 100-150 dollars.

Moreover, buying a budget option, you should not think that the device you have chosen will not have good quality. On the contrary, a simple printer aimed at solving a narrow range of tasks will be the most reliable assistant who will not fail at the most inopportune moment.

To date, the most inexpensive and popular models are inkjet and laser printers, multifunction devices (MFPs).

Inkjet printers

The low cost of this class of devices, in comparison with laser devices, is ensured by the simplicity of design and the inkjet technology used.

Today, the price of the cheapest inkjet printer ranges from 2500-3000 p.

The paradox is that the cost of the original cartridges is so high that it is almost equal to the cost of the printer itself, and in some cases even exceeds it. And besides, one inkwell is enough to print only 100-200 sheets.

The situation is saved by the NISP - a system of continuous ink supply, which is much cheaper than the original ones and allows to reduce the cost of printing.

Contrast the advantages and disadvantages of inkjet printers.

Advantages

1. The presence of color printing.
2. Low cost of equipment.
3. Ability to print high-quality color images and photographs on special paper.

disadvantages

1. Very expensive supplies.
2. With rare use, the ink dries.
3. Print speed is low: 4-7str / min.
4. Instability of prints to moisture and light.
5. It makes noise during operation.

What to look for when choosing

When looking at a model in an online store, carefully study the functional and operational characteristics:

• resolution black and white printing;
• resolution of color printing;
• print speed;
• what interfaces are available;
• cost of ink tanks;
• borderless printing is an important part for printing photos;
• the presence of VLSI or the ability to connect it;
• inkwell resource.

Laser Printers

The devices themselves are more expensive than inkjet, but in operation - much cheaper. The original cartridge for a black-and-white printer is designed to print from 1,000 to 2,500 sheets, depending on the model.

If you need only monochrome printing, then the laser will do the job of a printer for home use.

Despite the fact that a new cartridge costs about 1,500-3,000 rubles, the cost of a printed sheet is much lower than that of an inkjet printer.

Cartridges of many brands, but not all, can be refilled with toner. This is a very profitable way. Usually they withstand at least 3-4 refueling. But then, if the drum unit or cleaning blade wears out, they can be replaced, extending the service life. Thus, the cost of printing will decrease even more.

Which company printer should I prefer? Hewlett Packard (HP), Canon, Epson are leading manufacturers who have proven themselves to be highly reliable equipment.

Cartridges of these manufacturers can be repeatedly refilled and repaired.

Advantages of Laser Printers

1. They work, as a rule, with less noise and vibration than inkjet.
2. A quality seal that is not afraid of moisture or light.
3. The low cost of a printed sheet is much lower than that of an inkjet.

Disadvantages of Monochrome Laser Printers

1. Inability to print color images and photographs.
2. The cost of a printer is more expensive than that of an inkjet.
3. The high cost of consumables.

What to look for when choosing

1. Print resolution.
2. Speed.
3. Cartridge cost.
4. The ability to refill the cartridge and its restoration.
5. Print resource.

We determine the needs

Having familiarized yourself with the main characteristics of inexpensive models, you can now consider specific examples: how to choose a device based on specific equipment requirements. Consider specific situations.

Monochrome Printer

So, you need to print a lot of text information, about 300-500 sheets per month? In this case, the HP1010, HP1020, HP1030 models would fit perfectly, but, unfortunately, they are discontinued. But if it becomes possible to buy one of these used devices, then you can decide on this step, because at the price they will be much cheaper, and the reliability of these models is very high. The cartridge for them costs 2826 rubles., Refueling 750 rubles., Cartridge resource - 2000 p.

To calculate the cost, take into account that the cartridge will be reused, take into account the minimum - 3 refills. In fact, there may be 4 and 5, and taking into account the repairs being made, the service life will last even longer.

So, the cost of 1 print:

S = 2826 rub. + (Refueling 750 rub.) * 3 / (cartridge resource 2000 pp.) * 3 = 0.85 rub.

Consider the model HP1102S, which is a modern analogue of discontinued models.

The cost of the printer is 6990 rubles.

Print Resolution - 1200 dpi.

Print Speed ​​- 18 ppm

The load on the printer is 5000 pp / month.

The cost of a cartridge is 5990 rubles.

Print Resource - 1600 pages

Calculate the cost of the print:

S = 6990 rubles. + (Refueling 900 rubles.) * 3 / (cartridge resource 1600 pages) * 3 = 1.81 rubles.

If you like another model of printer, then you need to calculate the cost using the above algorithm.

Models Canon 6020, 6030 are also attractive in terms of cost and performance.

Printer for schoolchild

Consider the following example: you need to choose a printing device for the student or for the student that meets the requirements:

• printing of abstracts;
• color illustrations and photographs;
• load per month - no more than 200-300 pages.

A color laser printer is expensive, and consumables are also expensive.

For this case, we select an inexpensive model of a color inkjet device: HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 1115.

Its characteristics:

• resolution b / w printing: 1200 dpi;
• color printing resolution: 1200 × 4800 dpi;
• print speed: 7.5 / 5.5 ppm

This model is very popular, is a bestseller.

The cost of the printer is 3290 rubles.

Let's calculate the cost of a black-and-white print at a cartridge cost of 1090 rubles.and print resource - 360 sheets:

S = cartridge cost 1090 rubles / print resource 360 ​​sheets = 3.03 rubles.

The cost of a color print at a cartridge cost is 890 rubles. and print resource - 200 sheets:

S = cartridge cost 890 rubles / cartridge life 200 sheets = 4.5 rubles.

Multifunction devices

MFP, in addition to the printer, combines the following devices:

• scanner;
• copier;
• sometimes fax.

The cost of an MFP, as a rule, is slightly more expensive than a simple printer, but having the additional functions of a scanner and a copier, it more than pays for the overpayment.

If you are planning to purchase a scanner or copier, then it is better to prefer an MFP. In this case, you will save not only money, but also the working space on the table, because instead of 2 devices, you will need to place one.

According to the used printing technology, MFPs are inkjet and laser.

Consider 2 models: an inkjet printer Epson L312 and an MFP Epson Colorio PX-045A.

If in the MFP to change the original cartridges for the TPS, then it becomes cheaper than the printer by 3696 rubles. It is obvious that it is preferable in this case.

The cheapest printer for home use

Canon PIXMA iP2840

• Device: printer
• Technology: Inkjet
• OS Support: Windows, Mac OS
• Power consumption:
• standby - 0.8 W
• at work - 8.0 W
• Print speed:
• b / w - 8 ppm
• color - 5 ppm
• Maximum print resolution: 4800 × 600 dpi
• Ports: 1 x USB 2.0
• Dimensions / Weight: 426x235x134 mm / 2.3 kg
• Warranty / Manufacturer: 1 year / CANON Inc., Vietnam

HP Deskjet Ink Advantage 1115

• Device type: printer
• Technology: thermal, inkjet
• OS Support: Windows 7, 8, 8.1, Mac OS
• Power consumption:
• standby time - 1.3 W
• at work - 10.0 W
• Print speed:
• b / w - 20 ppm
• color - 16 ppm
• Maximum print resolution:
• b / w - 600x600 dpi
• color - 4800x1200 dpi
• PC Connection: USB 2.0
• Dimensions / Weight: 426x216x124 mm / 2.02 kg
• Warranty / Manufacturer: 1 year / China

Canon PIXMA TS304

• Device type: printer
• Technology: piezoelectric, inkjet
• OS Support: Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Android
• Power consumption:
• standby mode - 2.1 W
• at work - 10.0 W
• Print speed:
• b / w - 7.7 ppm
• color - 4.0 ppm
• color photo 10x15 - 65 sec
• Noise Level: 45dB
• Maximum print resolution: 4800 × 1200 dpi
• Dimensions / Weight: 430x282x143 mm / 2.9 kg
• Warranty / Manufacturer: 1 year / Vietnam

HP Deskjet 2130

• Device type: printer / scanner / copier
• Technology: thermal, inkjet
• OS Support: Windows, Mac OS
• Power consumption:
• standby mode - 1.9 W
• at work - 10.0 W
• Print speed:
• b / w - 20 ppm
• color - 16 ppm
• Maximum print resolution:
• color photo - 4800 × 1200 dpi
• b / w documents - 1200x1200 dpi
• Dimensions: 425x304x149 mm
• Weight: 3.42 kg
• Warranty / Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard Company, China

HP Deskjet 1510

• Device type: printer / scanner / copier
• Technology: thermal, inkjet
• OS Support: Windows, Mac OS
• Power consumption:
• standby mode - 2.0 W
• at work - 10.0 W
• Print speed:
• b / w - 7 ppm
• color - 4 ppm
• Noise Level: 50dB
• Dimensions: 425x552x252 mm
• Weight: 3.6 kg
• Warranty / Manufacturer: 12 months / China

Canon PIXMA MG2540S

• Device type: printer / scanner / copier
• Technology: thermal, inkjet
• OS Support: XP, Vista, Windows 7, 8, 10
• Power consumption:
• standby - 1.0 W
• at work - 2.0 W
• Print speed:
• b / w - 8 ppm
• color - 5 ppm
• Sound level: 46.5 dB
• Dimensions: 426x306x145 mm
• Weight: 3.5 kg
• Warranty / Manufacturer: 1 year / Vietnam