If you're pondering a printer purchase, but are befuddled by the bevy of options, then you need our comprehensive guide to printer types, technologies and costings.

What kind of printer is best for me?

Choosing the right printer can be a daunting task. There are several different types of printing technology to choose from, each suited for different needs. Printers come in all shapes and sizes from tiny travel companions to workgroup workhorses. And the many specifications for resolution and speed can be misleading. Here's a cheat sheet to the perfect printer to match your personality.

Home user
The home user demands a lot from a printer. The device must tackle everything from a book report to a newsletter to the occasional snapshot--all without breaking the budget. This is why for most home users the best choice is a versatile and affordable printer, such as a general-purpose colour inkjet. These printers cost anywhere from AU$120 to AU$300 and are designed to do a little of everything, albeit slowly.

The alternative: Get a personal laser printer for fast, quality text and graphics (starting at around AU$500) and a second printer--either a colour inkjet optimized for photos or a snapshot printer--for digital photography.

Budding novelist
Planning on writing the Great Aussie Novel? You'll need a printer that can crank out page after page of text in double time. A personal laser printer should fit the bill. It can deliver epic amounts of crisp, legible text faster than Grisham finishes a new thriller. Personal laser printers start at around AU$500 or so, but they cost less to operate than inkjets do, so you can save up money for the book tour.

The alternative: A general-purpose inkjet can also get the job done, and it gives you the added flexibility to print in colour when necessary. But spend a little extra--more than AU$200--for a decent model that will be a little faster and won't chew through expensive ink and paper quite as quickly.

Digital photographer
Any inkjet can print photos in colour, but if you want results that approach professional photofinishing, you'll need a printer that is designed to reproduce all of the details and colours in snapshots. If you plan to purchase only one printer, a photo inkjet is your best bet, since it can also handle standard letter- and legal-size paper. Photo inkjets use special inks and papers that deliver better quality, and are fade resistant and more durable. Many photo printers also let you print directly from storage cards. Expect to pay about AU$400 or more for a photo printer.

The alternative: A dedicated snapshot printer is limited to 4x6 or smaller prints--think of it as a desktop photo lab--and is really only viable as a second printer. Most use dye-sublimation, which has some advantages over inkjets. Snapshot printers can print directly from compatible digital cameras.

Entrepreneur
If you work from a home office frequently or run a small business, a multifunction printer (MFP) is an excellent choice. Also known as all-in-ones (AIOs), these multitalented devices combine an inkjet or a laser printer with a copier, a scanner, and a fax machine. They save both space and money and cut down on the different ink and paper supplies that you'll need to keep on hand. Though inkjet models start as low as AU$300, we recommend spending slightly more for a model that includes standalone faxing and has an auto document feeder (ADF) for easily faxing and copying multipage documents.

The alternative: If you already have a standalone fax or scanner, a personal laser printer should meet your needs, and there are several colour laser printers available at reasonable prices.

Corporate cog
If you need a workhorse that can keep up with your small business or team within a larger organization, a workgroup laser printer is an obvious choice. Designed to juggle multiple print jobs, these systems have faster processors, more memory, and print engines that are capable of churning out more than 20 pages per minute. But these AU$1,000-and-up printers are more than souped-up personal lasers; they offer workgroup features, such as network printing, high-capacity toner cartridges, and larger paper input and output trays.

The alternative: A business-class inkjet may be sufficient if your team has modest printing needs, and some models support network printing.

Jet-setter
If you really need to take the whole office in your notebook bag, there's a printer out there for you. Portable printers shrink inkjet printing down into a convenient travel size. They're generally quite weight-conscious and include a battery (either standard or as an option) for printing on the go. The drawback is that you pay a premium for this portability, even though these printers can't match full-size models for either performance or image quality. You can check out our review of portable printers here.

The alternative: For most businesses travellers, the best alternative is no printer at all. If you have a wired or wireless network connection, you can usually find a printer in most offices. And if you really get in a jam, you can always use a hotel business centre or an airport kiosk.

What are my options?

Personal laser
Though the technology has been around for years (HP introduced its first LaserJet in 1984), laser printers are still going strong because they combine fast print speeds, sharp output, and a low cost per page. Like copiers, laser printers use a photographic drum to attract electrically charged toner and transfer it to paper, where the image is fused using a heated roller. The vast majority of laser printers are monochrome (black and white), and they are best-suited for printing text and simple graphics. They start around AU$500. Until recently colour laser printers were too expensive for individuals or small businesses, but there are now several models for less than AU$2,500, and these could soon become viable alternatives to colour inkjets.

Workgroup laser
As the name implies, workgroup laser printers are designed for small offices or small teams within larger companies. The basic technology is the same, but these are more than beefed-up personal lasers with features tailored specifically for multiple users. First, they support printing over networks either standard or as an option. Second, they offer more-advanced handling capabilities, including larger input and output trays, and some models have features such as duplex (double-sided) printing, sorting, and stapling. Finally, they have faster processors and more memory so that they can manage multiple jobs and print faster. Like personal lasers, the vast majority of workgroup lasers are monochrome--designed for printing text and simple graphics--and they start at around AU$900.

Inkjet
Inkjet printers have come a long way in the last 10 years. Today's versatile inkjets can produce both crisp text and rich photo prints. Most manufacturers offer both general-purpose and photo inkjet printers, which shouldn't be confused with snapshot or photo printers designed for only 4x6 or smaller prints. Inkjets print an image by applying a precisely controlled stream of tiny ink droplets from one or more cartridges to coated paper. Each manufacturer uses slightly different techniques, and the size of the droplets and the way they are applied to the paper determine the image quality. Unfortunately, the process is relatively slow compared to that of laser printing--and the ink cartridges and the special papers can be costly--so inkjets are best suited for home users and small businesses with light printing needs. Inkjet printers range in price from less than AU$200 to as much as AU$1,500, depending on features, image quality, and paper-handling capabilities.

Multifunction/all in one
Multifunction printers (MFPs) or all-in-ones (AIOs) are the Swiss Army knives of printers. They combine copier, scanner, printer, and, in some models, fax capabilities in one unit, making them perfect for home offices and small businesses. MFPs are available with either laser or inkjet printing (both described above) to suit different needs and budgets. The best models include flatbed scanners and auto document feeders for walk-up scanning, faxing, and copying of multipage documents. MFPs start at around AU$300, and you can check out five great models here.

Photo/snapshot
Some inkjet printers are optimized for printing high-quality photos, but if you own a digital camera and spend a lot of time printing snapshots, you may want a second printer specifically for that purpose. Some snapshot printers use inkjet technology, described above, but most rely on dye-sublimation, which transfers colour dye in a continuous tone from a ribbon onto the paper in a series of passes, followed by a protective clear coating. The print quality is comparable to that of professional photofinishing. Another big advantage: they can print directly from compatible digital cameras, and most models also accept storage cards such as CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard, or Memory Stick. But photo printers are generally limited to 4x6 or smaller snapshots; they can't handle standard 8.5x11 sheets, which is why they are suitable as second printers only. They typically cost at least AU$500.

Portable
These pint-size printers are designed for life on the road. The print speeds and the image quality are hardly top-notch, and you'll pay a premium for these travel partners, but if you really need to print on the go, they fit the bill. They typically cost AU$500 or more, and you can check out our comparative review of portable printers here.

How do I sort out the specs?

When evaluating printers, the first thing you're likely to see is a long list of specifications chock-full of acronyms such as dpi and ppm. Not only are all these specs confusing, they often have little or no bearing on the performance you'll actually get in the real world. Here's how to keep it all straight.

Resolution
One of the most widely used specifications, the resolution refers to the maximum number of dots per inch (dpi) that can be printed, measured both horizontally and vertically. For example, a 600x600dpi laser printer lays down a one-inch square composed of 600 dots across by 600 dots down. In theory, a printer with a higher resolution is capable of producing more-detailed text and images, as seen in this representation:

However, manufacturers have inflated the numbers for marketing purposes, and the numbers no longer correlate directly with higher image quality. The number of colours, the types of ink or toner, and the method by which they are transferred to the paper, as well as the paper that's used all have a major impact on image quality.

Print speeds
This spec measures how many pages per minute (ppm) a printer spits out. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Unfortunately, it's not so simple. To come up with the fastest-possible speeds, some manufacturers test using basic text documents at the lowest-quality print settings (Draft mode) on plain paper--not exactly a real-world test. Based on our experience, you can expect to see about half the speed promised by the manufacturer.

Connectivity
The USB (Universal Serial Bus) is truly universal--all printers have either a USB 1.1 or the newer, faster USB 2.0 port. Don't worry too much if your system doesn't have USB 2.0--the two standards get along just fine, and USB 1.1 is fast enough for printing. Mac users can instead opt for FireWire (IEEE 1394) on some models. But if you want to go old school, you'll still find plenty of printers that accept those big, 25-pin parallel cables. Workgroup printers also support printing over a network using a standard Ethernet cable with an RJ-45 connector. For even better mobility, many models support printing wirelessly, using infrared, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi access points with built-in print servers.

Processor and memory
Nearly all manufacturers provide information on the processor and the memory, but at least for personal use, these specs are relatively unimportant. Your computer does a fine job, largely on its own, of lining up print jobs and sending them on to be printed. If you have multiple users or you often print high-resolution photos or other large files, however, then you'll want a printer with a faster processor and more onboard memory.

Paper handling
The typical paper-handling specs on a printer include everything from the size and thickness of various paper to the standard and optional input- and output-tray capacity. It's enough to make your head spin. As a general rule, all inkjets and personal laser printers will print on standard paper (letter and legal sizes), accept envelopes, and have input and output trays that hold at least 100 sheets. The only exceptions are specialized printers such as snapshot and portable models. More advanced paper-handling features--such as tabloid-size printing, duplexing (printing on both sides), and auto document feeders for faxing and copying--will be found on only higher-end models.

How do I judge print quality?

Text
Most demonstration pages will include rows of text at varying sizes, which can show different types of flaws. At the smallest font sizes, the individual letters should be legible and fully formed with no breaks, and they should not bleed into one another. Medium-size fonts should be crisp with no fuzzy edges. And the largest fonts, especially bold ones, should be filled in with a solid, even black--not a muddy bluish or brownish tone.

Black-and-white graphics
The printer demonstration should print several geometric shapes of different sizes and shading. The outlines should be crisp with smooth curves; inside areas of solid black should appear dense and evenly shaded. Also look for areas where an image goes from dark to light (a gradient). Is it a smooth transition, or can you see distinct bands progressing from darker to lighter?

 
   

Colour graphics
When you are evaluating an inkjet or a colour laser printer, there's no real way to tell how accurately it reproduces colours, but by comparing print samples from different models side by side, you can at least get an idea of whether the colours look good, based on your personal preferences. As in black-and-white graphics, large blocks of colour should appear solid and even, rather than muddy. Some printers try to dazzle the eye with overly saturated colours; others skimp on ink, leaving images that appear washed out. Look for a nice, natural-looking balance between the two.

Photos
A photo inkjet or snapshot printer is in a whole separate category in terms of image quality. Though it sounds simple, the main thing to look for is a printer that produces images that appeal to you--some like bright, saturated images; others prefer more realistic scenes. Some enjoy warm (red-yellow) tones; others want a cooler, bluish cast. When you hold images from different printers side by side, these traits become obvious to the naked eye. There are, however, some objective qualities to look for, as well. For example, areas with high levels of detail, such as hair, should be sharp, and skin tones should look realistic.

What kind of printer is best for me? Are you a home user, photo enthusiast or high-flying executive, and what printer is best for each type?

What are my options? What's the difference between each printer type?

How do I sort out the specs? If DPI means as much to you as PPM, check out our guide to demystifying printer specifications.

What will it really cost me? Buying a printer isn't a one-time purchase; we examine the real story behind printing costs.

What will it really cost me?

Ink and toner
Inkjets are the least expensive printers available, with many models starting at less than AU$150. The catch? The consumables, such as replacement inks and specialty papers, can cost you an arm and a leg. Ink typically costs between AU$30 and AU$120 per cartridge and can last for 100 to 200 pages. More expensive printers, however, tend to be more economical to operate because they have higher-capacity ink tanks and separate ink tanks for each colour so that you don't need to replace everything when only one colour runs dry. To save some money, you can purchase a compatible ink-refill kit from a separate company, though you may not get the same reliability or print quality.

Laser toner cartridges vary greatly in price, yield, and print capabilities. Toner cartridges generally cost from AU$30 for a small cartridge for a personal laser printer to as much as AU$700 for a high-capacity cartridge for a networked workgroup laser printer. Toner costs seem high, but so is the yield. A cartridge typically prints between 2,500 and 10,000 pages (although some claim to print as many as 30,000), so the cost per page is a few cents for text (at 5 percent coverage) and not much more for images (with 15 percent coverage). Pay attention to the expiration dates, though; some cartridges (HP's in particular) will stop working at a set time, no matter how much ink is left. Also, consider paying a little more for a separate toner cartridge and drum kit, rather than the usual combination unit. That way, you don't have to replace the drum, which is often capable of handling many more print jobs, every time you replace the toner.

Factoring in the cost of the printer and the cost of the printed pages, lasers still cost more in total, but that's because their purchase price is so much higher. The cost of printing pages on inkjets, however, can easily overtake the cost of purchasing the actual printer.

Snapshot printers based on dye-sublimation use ribbons that are often sold in packs with matching paper. Their output quality looks similar to that of professional photo processing, but the ribbons and paper can be exorbitant, sometimes as much as AU$4 per photo.

Paper
If there's one thing we've learned from our Labs' extensive printer testing, it's that better-quality paper yields better-quality printouts. For the best results, you really need to bite the bullet and buy the coated or specialty paper recommended by the manufacturer of your model. This is particularly true for inkjets, photo printers, and multifunction devices. Special paper can cost 20 cents to AU$4 per letter-size sheet, but it is essential if you want to print crisp-looking text or high-resolution photos.

Other extras
The biggest gotcha with many printers is the printer cable. Incredibly, many manufacturers don't even include one because retailers want to sell you one separately, and it lowers the manufacturer's warranty coverage somewhat. Before leaving the store, read the box to determine whether you'll need to buy one separately. For some business inkjets and laser printers, network connectivity is optional, as well.

If you're purchasing a workgroup printer or an advanced multifunction printer, you should also consider some paper-handling features that are frequently offered as add-ons, such as larger-capacity input trays; output bins for collating, stapling, and other finishing options; and auto documents feeders for copying and faxing multipage documents.