Buying a printer or scanner used to be simple – and limited. Now you have choices, and many business owners no longer want to buy computers with all the components in place. With so many options, the trick is to match function with your computer and business needs to avoid paying for more product than you need.
Dell has many choices in printers, including inkjet and laser, but Dell scanners only come in an all-in-one device. The company’s expansive website has a section for small and medium businesses, including ratings and comments from customers on its computers and computer accessories. Weigh the pros and cons of the following:
- Determine if the quantity of printing your business justifies a laser printer.
- Decide if you need the high-quality text and/or color of a laser printer.
- Consider any space restraints and the need for a scanner, which would make a Multifunction Device (MFD) a better choice.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Weigh the costs of laser versus inkjet printers
The cost gap between laser and inkjet printers has closed considerably, but the cost per page is cheaper with a laser printer. You will also benefit from speed and better print quality that doesn't fade or smear with a laser.
I recommend: Consult
Dell’s Printer Learning Center for the advantages of choosing a laser printer, including computer, laptop and network connections. You can also find good sources for service plans (other than Dell’s) and outlet stores for laser printers in Work.com’s
Guide to Buying a Laser Printer.
Analyze what you print
If your business is small and you need your printer for low-volume text documents, a monochrome inkjet or laser printer would suffice. Also, a color inkjet will print faster and is cheaper if you have in-office color photos or graphics. But if you need color for marketing materials or you print large amounts text documents daily, you can't beat the print quality of a laser printer.
I recommend: Compare Dell’s
selection of color laser printers. If you feel an
inkjet printer fits the bill, check them out instead.
Consider the pros and cons of an MFD
The problem with MFDs that combine scanner, printer, copier and fax is when one part breaks, you're out of business. Dell does have a 24/7 technical support and limited Next Business Day Exchange Service on many models. MFDs will also save you space and cost.
I recommend: Peruse Dell’s
MFDs. If you need an MFD for a laptop, the
Dell968w is less than $200.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- I would start by clicking on the link for Dell's Learning Center for Businesses. It is not cumbersome, and you will find several other topics besides the one on laser printers that I provided, such as cost analysis based on your business needs and accessories you might find useful.
- Consumer Reports noted in its 2008 Buying Guide two things worth mentioning about laser printers. For desktop use, they found that laser printers were "big, noisy and comparatively pricey." As such, they didn't recommend any. However, they also said that a desktop laser printer used for black and white "is hard to beat for top quality text at high speed and very low cost."
- I found the Dell website difficult to navigate. If you stick to the links I've provided, you should be able to find everything you need to choose the right Dell scanners and printers for your business.
The official source of Dell Printers and Scanners is
the Dell Printers and Scanners page at Business.com
Related Resources from Business.com
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