Selecting a Printer for Faculty/Staff
How can you buy a printer that’s right for your work needs here on campus? That, of course, depends on whether you need the printer just for yourself, for a very small work group, or for a larger work group. It also depends on whether you need color printing.
On the Network?
- First, you must decide if this printer will be connected to the University’s computer network.
- If 2 or more people will use the printer, the answer is "yes,"
which means:
- You need a printer with a built-in network card* (either an “Ethernet ready” or “Ethernet networking” card).
- Retrofitting a printer can cost 2 to 3 times more than buying it with a built-in network card.
- Without a card, the “host” computer’s network connection (usually on Microsoft Windows) can be used as a “work around” method. But, beware, this can really slow down your computer during print jobs, and it means the host PC must always be turned on when the printer needs to be used.
* Note: HP LaserJet printers with networked cards can be easily identified by the "n" for network in the printer model, e.g., HP 4100n or 4100dn.
Other Considerations
- Although inexpensive to purchase, color inkjet printers can cost up to 8 times more to operate than black-and-white laser printers. (See Inkjet vs Laser.)
- In addition, “personal” printers are not made for the workload of multiple users and may reach their useful life expectancy much sooner.
- A small shared “personal” printer requires much greater technical support for cleaning, repair, and maintenance.
- Money saved on the initial purchase may cost much more over time.
- If you plan to print more than 300 pages per month, consider a heavy-duty business class printer.
- Most personal printers are not easily nor affordably serviced; simple replacement is often more cost-effective.
- If you still need help choosing the right printer, call the Support Center at 1540 x.1. They are glad to assist you!
