If you work in an office or frequently use printers, you’ve probably heard the terms Laserjet and Laser printers used interchangeably. Hearing people use them can be confusing if you don’t know what the two terms mean. The truth is, a LaserJet is a type of laser printer. That is, there is no difference in the design or operation of the two printers.
A laser printer is a computer printer that uses photocopier technology where keys don’t have to strike the paper to leave an impression. They are different from the traditional inkjet printers that spray ink droplets on the paper.
Generally, laser printers have better quality, speed, and features than inkjet printers. They are also more expensive but cheaper to run.
On the other hand, laserjet printers are a Hewlett Packard (HP) brand of laser printers. HP introduced laserjet printers in the mid-1980s when inkjet printers were more common. They quickly became popular because of their compact size, noise-canceling features, and low maintenance. Laserjet printers were also a mark of advanced technology as they used dry ink toners instead of the wet ink used by inkjet printers.
Laserjet printers are designed for multiple solutions, including vertical and horizontal printing, graphics, letters, texts, memos, and spreadsheets. They work by using a small scanning tool that engraves text and images on a drum and then rolls over the paper to create a print copy.
Laserjet printers are considered the first brand to utilize the Printer Command Language (PCL), now the standard language for printers.
How Do Laser Printers Work
Now that we’ve established that Laserjet printers are HP’s brand name for their laser printers, let’s get into how exactly they work.
As noted earlier, the main difference between laser printers and their predecessor inkjet printers is that they use photocopier technology, while inkjet printers use ink droplets. A laser printer processes documents from its photoreceptive drum. The printer’s high-voltage circuits charge the laser beams, which reflect on the photoreceptor drum. Then the toner, which is dry ink, is released onto the photoreceptor drum.
The paper you put onto the tray is pulled into the printer as it passes through the drum, which leaves grains of toner on the paper. The electric charge pulls the paper from the drum onto the tray after they are ready.
Are Laser Printers Better Than Other Printers?
Comparing a Laserjet vs. Laser printer, you may also wonder whether laser or laserjet printers are better than inkjet printers; the answer will depend on your usage.
Laser printers are better for commercial use because they have better speed, are easier and cheaper to maintain, and generally last longer. Inkjet printers are more popular for small-scale and home use because they are more affordable and have better tonal variety because they use ink.
However, the choice between a laser and inkjet printer also depends on the frequency of use. A laser printer is the best option if you don’t print regularly but still want a reliable printer. Sometimes ink in inkjet printers dries when unused for a long time. Replacing the ink every time is more expensive than running the laser printer in the long run.
Laser printers also outperform inkjet printers in terms of efficiency. Currently, most laser printers can handle 2,000 to 20,000 pages per month, while inkjet printers can handle a maximum of 5,000 pages at best. Many inkjet printer manufacturers are quickly catching up as you can now find an inkjet printer that matches a laser printer in printing speed.
Overall, whether a laser printer is better than other printers depends on personal preference and the printer’s primary purpose.
Are HP’s Laserjet Printers Better than Other Printers from the Same Brand?
Laserjet printers were introduced in the mid-1984, and HP has since improved many features and technology. The company has added more printer models, including DeskJet, OfficeJet, ENVY, Color LaserJet Pro, and many more. This means that no one HP model printer is better than the other. Most of the qualities of a specific printer will depend on when the model was introduced. Recent models will likely have better qualities and features than older models.
If you’re looking to purchase an HP printer and are wondering which model is best, try prioritizing your needs by listing the most critical features and then checking them against the available models.
What To Look For in a Laser Printer
There are a few things to consider if you’re in the market for a new laser printer to ensure you settle on the best. Here are a few pointers:
Monochrome or Color
Top of your priority list should be the type of documents a particular printer can print. The purpose of the printer mainly dictates whether you get a monochrome or color printer. A monochrome laser printer will be an excellent choice if your printer is for home or small office use and doesn’t require printing color documents.
A color printer should be the obvious choice for a large-scale business that prints various documents, including checks, photos, memos, spreadsheets, and more.
Features
Features are another priority when selecting a laser printer because they determine what tasks you can perform. For example, suppose you run a small business with an all-in-one laser printer with scanning. In that case, faxing and copying capabilities are sensible choices because they save you the cost of purchasing extra equipment. An all-in-one printer is also excellent for users with limited space because it saves them space by performing multiple functions.
Other features include network locations, cloud-based apps, and USB support.
Paper Handling Capability
Most common laser printers handle up to A4-size documents. Suppose you use heavier paper than standard printing paper or frequently print documents like envelopes, A3 size documents, or photos. In that case, you’ll need to verify the printer’s weight and size specifications before buying. Businesses that handle check printing also need to consider whether the laser printer can print checks and is compatible with their accounting software.
For busy companies that handle large printing volumes, a laser printer with an automatic feeding tray can significantly improve your office’s efficiency. It’s also vital that the printer paper tray has a capacity of approximately 250 sheets. A bigger capacity tray means you don’t have to keep loading the paper after a few employees print documents.
Another essential consideration regarding paper handling is whether the printer can print both sides of a document and scan multi-page documents.
Connectivity
Most laser printers come with a standard USB connection, but more manufacturers are integrating other connectivity options, including Ethernet and wireless. An Ethernet connection is best for office-use printers because you can connect the printer to the office router. A wireless laser printer with Wi-Fi direct support works for users who want access to the printer while away.
Wireless printers can come in handy if you use cloud-based storage, account software, or work remotely. For wireless connection printers, it’s critical to ensure they are compatible with your device software, for example, Windows, and work with mobile phone platforms like Android and iOS.
Ease of Use
A good laser printer should be easy to connect and set up. Additionally, the manufacturer should have a manual about software usage, compatibility, and drivers. Besides setting up, ease of use may include advanced features like a touchscreen display instead of the traditional navigation buttons. It also covers accessibility of the menu, paper tray, and connectivity features.
Ease of use also means that the laser printer usage should be straightforward, and performing tasks like replacing the toner cartridge or loading the tray should be relatively easy.
Print Quality
Presentation is valuable to your image. A laser printer with excellent print quality could significantly impact an office environment. Print quality also depends on the type of document. Lower print quality may suffice for standard documents, but for documents like photos or checks, poor and high-quality documents will have a noticeable difference.
There are many factors affecting print quality. This includes the printer’s drivers and the print head design. However, the leading print quality indicator is the DPI (dots per inch). The dpi shows how well the printer can replicate the source document or image.
Laser printers with a dpi between 600 X 600 and 4800 X 4800 have excellent print quality.
Price
Finally, buy a laser printer within your budget. Even though laser printers are generally more expensive than inkjet printers, their features and quality offer value for money. Still, there are several affordable laser printer options.
If you’re considering a specific brand, for example, a laserjet printer, ensure the printer has all the features you need. Remember that laserjet printers are not necessarily better than other HP printers. Compare the printer you want with others of the same brand and check if the other has a better price point or features.
Also, consider connectivity, size, and ease of use.
Laserjet vs. Laser printer: Conclusion
And there you have it. With this piece, I hope you’ve cleared the confusion you had about the difference between laserjet and laser printers.
Thanks so much for stopping by. For any questions, leave them in the comments below.
