STACK #207 Jan 2022

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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PRINTERS The Fi ne Pri nt The hunt for a new printer can be a confusing exercise.What type is best for your needs? Do I need a scanner?What is the cheapest option?These are the basics to help with your next printer purchase.

INKJET PRINTER One of the most popular choices for the home is an inkjet printer, a system that uses ink-filled cartridges. Cheaper to buy, an inkjet printer delivers high quality prints but is best suited for occasional use as opposed to bulk printing, due to the high cost of replacement cartridges. And it’s important to use them regularly to avoid clogging the ink jets. LASER PRINTER Typically reserved for high volume printing, laser printers use a powder-based ink that sets on the paper. While they’re generally more expensive to buy outright, the lower cost of ink makes them a viable proposition for bulk usage, and they tend to print faster too. INK TANKS Some budget inkjet printers use a single cartridge that contains all the ink colours. The problem with that system is that when one colour runs out, the entire cartridge has to be replaced, making it a potentially expensive option. The principle behind an ink tank is simple; the cartridges are refillable through bottles of ink. It saves on waste and keeps the cost of printing low. MULTIFUNCTION PRINTER The Swiss army knife of the printing world, a multifunction printer combines the ability to print with a scanner and sometimes a copier, too. DUPLEX PRINTING Duplex printers will print on both sides of a page, thus reducing the amount of paper required for a printing task.

Image: Lucas Benjamin

HP INSTANT INK

When the ink supply runs short, you’ll automatically be sent more. How? Well, these are ‘smart’ cartridges. All you need to do is connect your printer to the home network, and HP will know when the printer supply is running low. Any used cartridges can be put into a recycling envelope and sent back to HP. It takes the hassle out of shopping for cartridges, and you won’t get caught mid-job again. And importantly, there are no contracts with HP Instant Ink – you can pull out any time. Most Wi-Fi-enabled HP printers will be compatible with the subscription service, but it would be prudent to check on the HP website before signing up. While HP Insta Ink won’t suit every home office need, if you’re a frequent printer user, it does warrant further investigation.

WHAT’S THE SCORE? Users pay a monthly fee, not on the amount of ink or toner used but on the pages they print, so it doesn’t matter if it’s in black and white, colour or even printing photos. The subscription

One of the most common complaints with printers is the cost of the ink itself. As a rule of thumb, the cheaper the printer, the higher the cartridge replacement cost. Cartridge capacities are hardly on the generous side, so you’ll churn through them at an alarming rate if you’re printing in volume. So, what are your options? If using the printer is a regular occurrence in the household, it might well be worth looking into a subscription service. HP, a trusted name in the printing world, have had such a service for over eight years now – Instant Ink. The premise is simple, and the options are thorough.

model has five tiers beginning at 50 pages a month right up to 1500 pages a month. If you don’t use the number allocated to your plan, they can be rolled into the next month. And if you need more pages in a particular month, it can be added to your account.

18 JANUARY 2022

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