1. Faster Speed May Require USB 2.0.

Are you planning on buying a USB-compatible printer? If so, check if both your computer and the printer you want to buy support the same USB speed. The options maybe USB 2.0 or USB 1.1. Older computers may not use USB 2.0, however, you may still be able to use a USB 2.0 printer on such a computer - but your printer speed may be slower. For example if the manufacturer indicated 10 pages per minute as the printer speed, it might instead print at 8 or 9 pages per minute.

2. Consider a Multifunction Unit.

A multifunction or all-in-one printer, scanner, copier, and fax machine can clear up needed desk space. While these units rarely perform as good as the best printers in the market, many newer units do have print and scan dpi (Dots Per Inch) that rival many middle-level printers and scanners. These units cost more than just a printer itself, but they rarely cost as much or even as close to all four units combined.

3. Always Buy Extra Toner or Cartridges.

It seems so simple, it seems to be common sense, but when you're chasing a deadline trying to get an important paper printed and you run out of toner or cartridges, you're most likely going to panic. Printers, especially inkjets, use up a lot of toner. Always, always, always keep an extra toner cartridge or two handy, especially a black ink cartridge. Yes, cartridges cost money, and you may think that to save money you should buy cartridges only when you absolutely must have them, but a day may come where you must get something delivered to your boss in 30 minutes and your printer lights start blinking.

4. Separate Colored Ink Cartridges.

Most color inkjets, bubble-jets, etc. come with two print cartridges, one for black & white printing, and one for color. This may be convenient and seem cheap in that when the printer runs out of color ink, you only have to replace one cartridge. However, if you plan on doing a lot of printing, you may want to spend the extra money and buy printers with separate colored ink cartridges. Some have separate cartridges for Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow, which, combined with Black, form the colors on paper. Some color printers may even contain other cartridges to more accurately display a wider range of color.

The advantage of having separate cartridges is simple. If several prints require less use of one particular color, then that color of toner or ink can be saved for later use. This way, if you tend to print the same colors often, such as when printing company stationary or letterhead, you may only have to replace one or two of the cartridges. However, if you used an all-in-one cartridge, using up all of the available cyan or magenta means that no matter how much yellow you have remaining, it cannot be used on future prints that require all colors. The whole cartridge must be thrown away.

5. Make Sure it Fits on Your Desk.

Though it may seem like common sense, "common sense is not so common". Before purchasing a printer, make sure it will fit on your desk, and don't make it so tight that your printer doesn't have a few inches around itself to ventilate (in heavy use, or if you keep your printer on all the time whether you are printing documents or not, your printer can get quite warm). When calculating the printer size requirements, make sure to get dimensions of not just the printer but also all paper trays, paper feeds, and the exit tray.

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Compiled by the WOUGNET TechSupport Team from MalekTips. For more information, please visit MalekTips Online .