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HP OfficeJet vs LaserJet: How to Choose The Best Option for Your Business
Harry Stewart
|
November 6, 2023
With printing comprising a sizeable chunk of any office budget, it’s worth evaluating the most cost-effective options. After all, minimising expenses means maximising profits - I minus E equals P.
The good news is printing technology isn’t all that complex. Unlike a workstation, you don’t need to analyse a bewildering array of hardware specifications before investing. But there is one core concept you must understand: the difference between an inkjet and a laser printer.
This article will discuss these two printing technologies and outline how to choose between HP’s leading series, OfficeJet and LaserJet. Then, to cap off the post, we’ll present the top options on the HP UK Store.
What is an inkjet printer?
An inkjet printer, as the name suggests, uses jets to spray ink onto a page. While the technology has some variation, all inkjet printers - including the HP OfficeJet Series - follow a similar step-by-step process:
1. Electricity heats hundreds of tiny jet-like nozzles until their ink expands into a bubble.
2. The nozzles spray ink droplets onto paper passing through a feeder.
3. A printhead moves left and right across the paper to print new characters as required.
4. The ink bubbles collapse to create a vacuum, sucking more ink into the nozzle for the next droplets.
What is a laser printer?
Laser printers, including the HP LaserJet Series, work differently. Instead of spraying liquid ink through little nozzles, the device harnesses static electricity to attach powdered toner to a page.
1. High-voltage circuits electrically charge a component known as a photoreceptor drum.
2. A laser reflects off a mirror and onto the drum.
3. The mirror rotates the laser to draw a negatively charged outline on the drum.
4. Positively charged toner gets released onto the drum, which sticks to the negatively charged, laser-drawn sections.
5. Negatively charged paper rolls through the printer, pulling powdered toner off the drum.
6. The printer removes the electrical charge and passes the paper through hot rollers to fuse the powder onto the page.
The pros and cons of an inkjet printer
Is an inkjet printer like the HP OfficeJet Series the best bet for your business? It depends on your specific circumstances.
Because inkjet technology is less complicated, these simpler printer types are cheaper to manufacture – and the savings get passed onto the consumer. As such, inkjets typically cost less than their complex laser-and-toner-based counterparts.
Inkjets also offer superior tonal variety, making them better at blending colours and producing vibrant imagery across various mediums, including glossy paper. Furthermore, inkjets have a smaller footprint to squeeze into confined spaces.
On the downside, inkjets print more slowly, have modest monthly print volumes, and use smaller paper trays. As a result, they’re less popular among larger businesses with high printing requirements.
The pros and cons of a laser printer
Unlike their inkjet cousins, the laser printer is all about volume. These high-octane devices boast lightning-quick printing speeds (measured in pages per minute, or ppm) and high-capacity trays to pump out huge documents with one click. Durable HP LaserJet Series printers can handle high monthly page volumes without succumbing to wear and tear.
As a major boon for budget-conscious office managers, laser printer toner is considerably less expensive than ink.
The main disadvantage is its initial purchase price. Due to its complex technological processes, the laser printer retails for much more than a comparable inkjet. Businesses with high-volume printing requirements, however, will quickly recoup the cost through cheaper toner.
While laser printers can print photos and images, you won’t get the same quality as an inkjet. That makes them less desirable among photographers and other visual design professionals. Finally, these high-performance business printers tend to be larger and require more space.
Laser printer vs inkjet printer: The best fit for specific business needs
As a rule of thumb, businesses with high-volume printing requirements find laser printers offer a better deal. On the other hand, companies that print infrequently (or need high-quality imagery) will get better value from an inkjet.
Small to medium-sized businesses
So, what is a good printer for small businesses?
Most smaller British businesses have modest printing requirements, especially in the digital era when most paperwork has moved online. Given the laser printer’s higher purchase price, the inkjet is often the financially prudent option. But exceptions apply. Vast printing volumes are still standard in smaller companies within specific sectors: education, healthcare, law, finance, etc.
Large enterprises
Big companies often have large office spaces where multiple workers share a single printer. A standard inkjet with a modest printing speed may struggle to meet demand, making the laser a more suitable option. Higher monthly page volumes reduce maintenance headaches, while lower toner costs provide superior long-term value.
Creative agencies
Photographers, architects, and illustrators usually print vibrant, full-colour images rather than long black-and-white text documents. As laser printers don’t produce top-notch pictures, most design studios prefer inkjets, especially as they work with numerous paper types.
Home offices
This one is somewhat subjective. Most home offices have limited room and modest printing requirements, making an inkjet the obvious choice. Some work-from-home professionals, however, need to pump out large print volumes and prefer using a laser.
HP Instant Ink
Most modern OfficeJet and LaserJet Series printers are compatible with HP Instant Ink. This innovative subscription service monitors your ink/toner levels and delivers a fresh new cartridge directly to your door when required.
Not only does Instant Ink remove the hassle of replacing cartridges, but its discounted rates also reduce ongoing printing costs. Plus, you can effortlessly post old cartridges back for recycling to reduce your company’s environmental impact.
Speaking of the environment, HP has committed to replenishing all the paper sent through its printers through the Forest Positive program by 2030.
The top OfficeJet and LaserJet printers in the UK
Now you know the difference between these two key printer types, let’s look at the best OfficeJet and LaserJet printers in the HP UK Store. We’ve divided our recommendations into categories to streamline the shopping process.
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw: Best for enterprises
Capable of spitting out high-quality printouts at a whopping 28 pages per minute (ppm), this lightning-quick LaserJet is ideal for large offices with high requirements. A massive 4,000 monthly page volume reduces maintenance costs and downtime headaches.
Thanks to an enormous 50-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF), staff can pump out lengthy documents without continually slotting more paper into the tray. And, as a handy bonus, the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw moonlights as a copier, scanner, and fax/email machine.
- Functions: Print, copy, scan, fax, email
- Monthly page volume: 4,000 pages/month
- Print speed: 28 ppm (black) and 28 ppm (colour)
- Features: Scan to email/PDF; two-sided printing; 50-sheet uncurled ADF
HP LaserJet M209dwe Wireless Black and White Printer: Best for medium-sized businesses
Medium-sized businesses with modest budgets and high printing workloads might look at the HP LaserJet M209dwe Wireless Black and White Printer instead. Coming in at a fraction of the cost, this budget-friendly laser printer handles rigorous requirements for a lower purchase price.
A minuscule footprint makes it suitable for home office use as well.
- Functions: Print
- Monthly page volume: 2,000 pages/month
- Print speed: 29 ppm
- Features: Built-in WiFi, two-sided printing
HP ENVY 6430e All-in-One Printer: Best for small businesses
Small business owners and work-from-home professionals with modest printing requirements don’t need a fancy, high-intensity laser printer. With a 400-page maximum monthly volume and a respectable 10 ppm, this capable little inkjet is ideal for infrequent office or at-home use.
The HP ENVY 6430e All-in-One Printer also has all-in-one functionality, making it a bargain at this price point.
- Functions: Print, copy, scan, send mobile fax
- Monthly page volume: 400 pages per month
- Print speed: up to 10 ppm (black) and 7 ppm (colour)
- Features: Dynamic security, automatic 2-sided printing, 35-page auto-feeder, wireless
HP OfficeJet Pro 7720 Wireless All-in-One Printer: Best for design studios
Need to print high-quality imagery to wow your clients?
Give those high-volume laser printers a miss and invest in a quality inkjet instead. Specially designed for brochures, flyers, and other eye-popping documents, the HP OfficeJet Pro 7720 Wireless All-in-One Printer is a designer’s best friend.
A high monthly page volume and sizeable ADF also make it suitable for lengthy documents.
- Functions: Print, copy, scan, fax
- Monthly page volume: Prints up to 1,500 pages/month
- Print speed: up to 22 ppm (black) and 18 ppm (colour)
- Features: 35-sheet ADF; Front-facing USB printing; Two-sided printing
Summary
Inkjet and laser printers excel in different areas - each unique technology affords distinct pros and cons. But it’s easy to ascertain the ideal option for you.
A fast and reliable laser printer is your best bet if you run a busy company with intensive day-to-day printing requirements. But for home office users or small businesses with infrequent printing needs, a cheaper-to-purchase inkjet makes more financial sense.
As for visual design pros seeking compelling printed images? The inkjet is a clear winner with its sharp resolution and vibrant colours. Now you’re an expert on these two printers for business, revisit our recommendations or take a gander through the OfficeJet and LaserJets on the HP UK Store.
