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Difference between Laser Printer and Inkjet Printer
A printer is an output device that is used to produce a hard copy (i.e. result on a paper) of output produced by any electronic system such as computer, POS-terminal, ATM machine, etc.
The printer is hardware device. It can print any type of document like text document, image, or combination of two. It receives input data from the processing system and prints it on a paper. The printers are most common peripheral devices used with computer systems.
Based on the technology used in printing, printers can be grouped into the following two categories −
Laser Printer
Inkjet Printer
In this article, we will discuss all the major differences between laser and inkjet printers. But, before discussing the differences, let's get an overview of what laser printers and inkjet printers are.
What is a Laser Printer?
A laser printer is a non-impact type printer used to print the output produced by a computer or any other electronic system. It is a non-impact printer because it uses a technology in which the keys do not strike the paper. It uses the laser to draw the document on a selenium coated drum using electric charges.
The laser printers use dry ink in the powdered form called tonner. With the laser printer monochromatic printing is possible usually black and white. Some common examples of laser printers are HP LaserJet printer, Brother’s DCP-B7500D printer, etc.
What is an Inkjet Printer?
The type of printer that prints the data and information on a paper by spraying microscopic droplets of ink on a paper is called the inkjet printer. These printers have ink in liquid form in its cartridges. They consist nozzles from which the wet ink is sprayed onto paper to print text and graphics.
The inkjet printers can produce both monochromatic and color prints. However, the primary disadvantage of these printers is that if we do not use them for a long time, then the ink in the cartridges gets dry, and we need to clean it to use it again.
The popular examples of inkjet printers are: Epson L361, Epson L130, HP Deskjet 1112, etc.
Difference between Laser Printer and Inkjet Printer
Both laser and inkjet printers are widely used in several applications in offices and homes. However, there are many differences between them that are listed in the following table −
| Basis of Difference | Laser Printer | Inkjet Printer |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A printer that uses laser and dry ink to print the information onto paper is called laser printer. | A printer that uses wet ink and nozzle assembly to produce the output onto paper is called the inkjet printer. |
| Ink used | A laser printer uses dry ink powder (called tonner). | An inkjet printer uses wet ink or ink in the form of liquid. |
| Cartridge | Laser printer uses tonner-cartridge. | Inkjet printer uses ink-cartridge. |
| Nozzle | Laser printers do not have nozzles. | Inkjet printers have nozzles to spray the ink onto paper. |
| Color printing | Laser printers cannot produce color prints. | With inkjet printers, color printing is possible. |
| Quality of black & white print | Laser printers produce high quality and clean black and white printer than the inkjet printers. | The quality of black and white prints produced by inkjet printers is comparatively low. |
| Print speed | Laser printers are faster than inkjet printers. They can print about 20 to 75 pages per minute. | The print speed of inkjet printers is less, they usually print about 5 to 40 pages per minute. |
| Print output | Laser printers can handle high-volume printing. | Inkjet printers cannot handle high-volume printing. |
| Tray capacity | The tray capacity of laser printer is comparatively high, about 250 sheets of paper. | Inkjet printers have low tray capacity about 50 to 100 sheets of paper. |
| Efficiency | The efficiency of laser printer is relatively high. | Inkjet printers are less efficient than laser printers. |
| Cost per page | Laser printers have low cost per page. | The cost per page for an inkjet printer is high. |
| Printer size | Laser printers are generally larger in size. | The size of inkjet printers is relatively smaller. |
| Cost | Laser printers are expensive. | Inkjet printers are relatively less expensive. |
| Examples | Examples of popular laser printers are HP LaserJet printer, Brother’s DCP-B7500D printer, etc. | Examples of popular inkjet printers are: Epson L361, Epson L130, HP Deskjet 1112, etc. |
Conclusion
The most significant difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer is that a laser printer uses dry ink and can produce monochromatic prints only, whereas an inkjet printer uses wet ink and can produce color prints as well.
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