Replacement Ink

Inkjet printers might be inexpensive, but the cost of replacement ink can drive up the overall cost. Check the prices of ink cartridges, and find out how many pages each cartridge is rated to print. Once you figure out how many pages you will print per month, you can determine the cost of the printer plus ink over the course of a year. Consider getting individual cartridges if you know you'll need one color more than others--for instance, if many of your documents have a red logo. Manufacturers often list faster print speed specifications on their packaging than we see in testing. Most color inkjets can print photos at a quality that approaches the level of a professional photo lab. If you plan to use your printer primarily for photos or graphics, look for models that specialize in that type of printing. If you plan to print mostly photos, look for photo printers with features such as media card readers and an LCD panel that allows you to view and print an image without using your PC. Also look for bundled image editing software. Price does not necessarily translate to print quality or speed.