Difference between laser and inkjet printers

Posted By: Sm Adminon: January 04, 2016In: Miscellaneous

Laser printers:
It is the electrostatic digital printing process. A laser printer is a popular type of personal computer printer that uses a non-impact, photocopier technology. Most laser printers print only in monochrome.
Inkjet printers:
It is the most popular printer for the home computer users that prints by spraying streams of quick-drying ink on paper. The ink is stored in disposable ink cartridge; often a separate cartridge is used for each of the major colors. Inkjet printer requires non-porous paper.
Differences:

Basis	Laser printers	Inkjet printers
Definition (www.oxforddictionaries.com)	A printer linked to a computer producing good-quality printed material by using a laser to form a pattern of electrostatically charged dots on a light-sensitive drum, which attract toner (or dry ink powder). The toner is transferred to a piece of paper and fixed by a heating process.	A printer in which the characters are formed by minute jets of ink.
Synonyms	Printer	Electronic printer, thermal printer, electrostatic printer, bubble jet printer
History	In the 1960s, the Xerox Corporation held a dominant position in the photocopier market. In 1969, Gary Starkweather, who worked in Xerox’s product development department, had the idea of using a laser beam to ‘draw’ an image of what was to be copied directly onto the copier drum.	The legend is that an engineer discovered the inkjet principle when a soldering iron accidentally touched the needle of a syringe full of ink, causing it to jet out over the desk. That might not be true. The first idea of an inkjet seems to have been patented by R. Elmqvist of Siemens Elema in Sweden. US patent 256643 awarded in 1951 is in Elmqvist’s name.
Word origin	The first commercial implementation of a laser printer was the IBM 3800 in 1976. It was designed for data centers, where it replaced line printers attached to mainframe computers.	The word inkjet printer was originated in 1975-80.
Efficient	It is more efficient in toner use.	It is less efficient in ink use.
Pronunciation	Eng (UK): /ˈleɪzə/ /ˈprɪntə/ Eng (US): /ˈlāzər/ /ˈprin(t)ər/	Eng (UK): /ˈɪŋkdʒɛt prɪntə/ Eng (US): /ˈiNGk ˌjet ˌprin(t)ər/
Cost	It costs high for the colour.	It is less expensive.
Size	It has large physical size.	It is small in size.
Clean	It is less messy to clean up.	It is messy to clean.
Advantages/Benefits	Its advantages are: The main benefit behind these printers is probably its efficiency and speed at printing. Laser printers are also known as ‘page printers’ as they print documents a page at a time, and performs it at a very fast rate. They furnish highest potential production in comparison with the other types of printers. This is generally due to the technology behind it as laser printers utilize electro-photography for printing which results in potential output. While it is a small issue, noise can be very unproductive and disturbing especially at a work place, laser printers are highly optimized and barely emits any sound. They also offer user-friendliness with other features like self-printing, where printing maybe done without supervision thus addition productivity at the workplace.	Its advantages are: Cheap to buy – cheaper than a laser printer More compact than a laser printer Cartridges cost less to replace than toners Produce good quality printouts better than a dot-matrix but not as good as a laser Speed – faster than a dot-matrix but not as fast as a laser
Disadvantages	Its disadvantages are: With the extra benefits in comparison with other printers, they are a lot more costly. Laser printers are considerable and utilize complicated technology and perform fast output, the result of which is a relatively large hardware gadget which can take up a lot of space. As they are non-impact printers, multipart stationary cannot be used thus double printing cannot be simultaneously performed. While the cost is an issue, an initial venture only maybe worth it based on your organizations or personal requirements, any way maintenance, servicing and mend of this hardware gadget is also very high thus laser printers aren’t very economical. Laser printers are also known to be dangerous to the atmosphere and your health. Due to the high voltages when running the machine, small amounts of ozone are generated which can damage the ozone layer. Some laser printers are also known to emit particles that are suspected to cause respiratory diseases.	Its disadvantages are: Noisier than a laser printer (but not as noisy as a dot-matrix) Colour printing can be extremely slow Cost of printouts per page are more expensive than a laser printer Cartridges need to be replaced more often than a laser printer Ink will smudge while it is still wetColours can become saturated and often don’t look the same as on the screen If not used for a while, the cartridges can dry out
Example in Sentence	Laser printers transfer tiny particles of toner onto the paper. Most laser printers do not print colors.	In our office, the dot max printer has been replaced by inkjet printer. Inkjet printers are inexpensive.