Laser printer as do all / photo printer?

DuckDogDr

Figured I would ask some of the tech gurus on here as I’m about as technologically savvy as a caveman (wish I was exaggerating).

I’m letting mom keep my old printer and it’s too inconvenient to run to their house to print things. Now that I’m getting a home office set up I want a new one. Having to print expense reports and crap for the traveling vet gig.

are there any benefits to getting a laser printer vs an ink jet.  As a side note I would like to start printing some of our dive photos to put around the house. Is there any possibility Of printing on canvas or should I just get an ink jet?

Sorry if these are dumb questions. But I really just don’t know. I’ve done enough research to know to expect around $800 for a wifi enabled laser jet.

HeavyG

It's hard to beat laser printers for everyday printing but for high quality photo printing you'll need an inkjet.

alaskanassasin

@HeavyG said it. You can print thousands of pages on a laser cartridge… that would cost you thousands of dollars in inkjet cartridges.

paqman

Check the price and availability of replacement toner cartridges. You can get super cheap printers that will cost you a fortune in toner replacement or pay a bit more for a printer that uses less expensive toner cartridges.  Same size toner cartridges may not print the same number of pages so consider that too when checking the price of cartridges.

For me, it comes cheaper to have my digital pictures printed on professional equipment by a local pharmacy.

I don’t print much so I got a cheap 100$ multi function color laser printer (has a scanner too) that will likely last me a couple of years without having to replace the toner.  The toner replacement will cost me more than the printer itself.

4TheGrillOfIt

Agree with @paqman.  

I recently bought a new Canon laser jet printer. I print quite infrequently these days just music sheets and return shipping labels.  Ink jet printer cartridges are much more expensive and they dry out if not used.  Also went with a model with AirPrint so I can print from IPad or phone.  Any photos we care to print we order online.  

kl8ton

My setup that I like

Cheap black and white multi function laser printer. Toner seems to last a year.  Even when toner says low, it goes two more months.  Used for business. 

We have a color laser for brochure and literature printing.  $800 to replace all toner cartridges.  Boooo.

I rarely get photos printed, but when I do, I send to Walgreens.  Can't beat the price.

caliking

I’m almost certain you won’t need an $800 printer. 

You can get a quality laser printer easily for half of that, if not a quarter of that. Canon multifunction printers have been good for me. 

For picture prints, caliqueen has found great deals on Groupon (canvas prints of vacation pics, pics of the kid, etc.).

GregW

I took a solemn oath over 20 years ago that I would never again own a inkjet printer. I haven't regretted my decision. If I need photos printed, they are far cheaper to have them printed. 

Botch

One more vote for cheep color laser/prints from the camera store.  
EDIT:  I just realized I have replaced the toner carts in my laser only once, and I bought it in 2014~15.  

caliking

I forgot to add that toner cartridges for Canon multifunction laser printer at home are about $15 on Amazon. OEM toner is about $100!