If you're thinking about buying a new printer, here's what to consider.

Resolution

This is measured in dots per inch (dpi). Quality can be limited by low resolution, but high resolution does not guarantee good results.

Ease of use

Typical problems include manuals which are not comprehensive enough, software which is difficult or overly complicated to install, weak paper-out trays and cartridges which cannot be replaced unless the printer believes it has run out of ink.

Software

Printer software should be easy to use. The "driver" is the part which lets the printer interact with your word processor, picture viewer and so on. Many printers aren't supplied with up-to-date drivers. But improved or updated drivers will usually be available to download from the internet.

Supplied accessories

Many printers are not supplied with a computer connection cable. The power cable is always supplied, but you may have to buy a USB or parallel port cable separately.

Bonus software may be supplied, such as Adobe Acrobat, calendar programs and image editors. But these are unlikely to be fully featured versions.

Energy consumption

If you left your inkjet printer on standby but did nothing with it for a year, the electricity used would cost between $2 and $13 for the year. Mono laser printers are more expensive: between $5 and $54 a year. Inkjet printers use power even when they're switched off but still plugged into the mains - from 20c to $10 a year.

Direct photo printing (DPP)

Many inkjets  have the ability to print images directly from a digital camera. There are two main methods. In the first, the digital camera is connected to the printer via a cable, usually USB. The camera is used to tell the printer what pictures to print. Obviously the two devices need to speak the same language. The standard interface for this is called PictBridge.

Alternatively, the printer may be able to print directly from a memory card. These printers usually have a small LCD screen so you can view the contents of the card and adjust the settings, prior to printing.

Envelopes

The regular size is handled well by inkjets and lasers. C4 size envelopes (big enough for A4 contents), however, are too wide for many printers.

 

Banners

These require special paper - A4 sheets joined together along a perforated edge. 

CD label printing

A few inkjets print directly onto a paper-backed CD. Don't try it on the bare plastic - this results in a big inky mess! For occasional use, it's a handy function. For volume printing most people prefer to use A4 sheets of CD label transfers. After printing, you simply peel these off and apply to the back of a CD.

The right media

To get the very best from an inkjet, you need to supply it with high-quality paper. Not so with lasers, which can produce superb text on cheap photocopy paper. Running costs for laser printers are generally far lower, as toner is much cheaper than ink.

Other media

You may also be able to print on A3, self-adhesive paper, transparencies, and even fridge magnets.