It’s that time of year- back to school! For many students, a dorm room printer is essential on the list of must-haves for move-in day.
While it seems like much of the world is going digital, today’s colleges and universities still require physical copies of your papers and assignments. It’s important that you have a printer you can rely on so you don’t run into issues at the last minute that could affect your ability to hand in your paper on time.
Here’s a quick guide on choosing the perfect dorm room printer for back to school.
Using a Dorm Room Printer vs. Paying to Print at School
While many universities and colleges provide pay-to-print options, the cost per printed page can often be higher than it would be for you to simply purchase the printer and print from your dorm room. This is especially true if you are studying a discipline that is heavy on writing, such as history or English. You may be expected to write many lengthy papers that can add up on your printing card.
It’s more convenient to simply purchase a dorm room printer. Many small multifunction printer options these days are affordable and portable, perfect for students throughout the duration of their education.
Choose a Small Multifunction Printer
A small multifunction printer is a perfect choice for a student’s printer. It does everything you need it to do in one machine and won’t take up too much space in a small room. Stick to something with built-in WiFi so you can print from your laptop or tablet anywhere in the room.
It will help you to do some research online before you purchase. Don’t forget to look at ratings. Sometimes it’s worth it to pay a little bit more for a higher-quality printer.
Laser vs. Inkjet Printers
When choosing a small printer for your dorm room, you may become stuck on the decision to purchase a laser or inkjet printer. This will depend on a few different factors and what your personal budget is.
Laser printer toner cartridges cost more up front, but last significantly longer and tend to have a lower cost per printed page. Meanwhile, inkjet ink cartridges cost less up front but you could find yourself replacing them more often. Inkjet printers also take longer to dry, which means they are prone to smudging. Therefore, If you think you are going to be printing out a lot of lengthy papers and not a lot of visuals, a laser printer is likely the best choice for you.
Ultimately, it comes down to what your personal budget is, how much printing you think you are going to be doing, and what it is you will be printing. If you need help making the decision, don’t hesitate to talk to one of our office automation experts for the best advice.
