The definitive 2009 guide to printers

BusinessZone and UK Business Forums are all about entrepreneurs sharing their knowledge and insights. In this spirit, we have produced the definitive Business Buyer’s Guide to Printers based on direct feedback from our community members.

“People are always asking for computer printer recommendations on UK Business Forums and this whole project grew out of those conversations,” said Sift Media technology editor John Stokdyk. “The recommendations we collected earlier this year were so popular that we went back and asked for more detail about the printers people were using. The results we got helped us to pinpoint the machines and manufacturers that have proved their worth in real life.”

In the highly competitive desktop market, the survey turned up responses covering more than 50 separate models. The final dozen that made the desktop shortlist reflect the way that even the smallest businesses are now able to afford colour laser and multifunction devices that can scan and copy as well as print. Inkjet systems tended to perform less well in ratings for speed and value for money.

“Most people start looking for a new printer when their old one starts to give up the ghost,” said Stokdyk. “If you’re ambitious and looking to grow, there is a good argument for taking a more pro-active approach and thinking ahead about your print needs. This might mean investing a little extra for a faster, more expandable model or even considering leasing options that give you an upgrade path.

“If you fall into this category, it’s well worth looking at the Workgroup and Networked editions as well as the Business Buyer’s Guide to Desktop Printers.”

Four separate guides are available:

• Desktop - No fuss printers for small office environments typically printing fewer than 20 A4 pages a day. Prices: £60-£300.
   
• Workgroup - Shared printers for small office networks, where users are happy to look after the printer themselves and print fewer than 100 pages a day. Prices: £100-£370.
   
• Networked - Expandable machines able to cope with the varied document needs of 15+ people and workloads in excess of 100 pages a day. Prices: £200-£2,400.
   
• Enterprise - Printer/copiers that can churn out several hundred pages a day, with automated paper-handling and finishing capabilities; often leased on a predictable “per click” cost per page. Retail prices: £400-£3,000.

Follow each link to find out which printers best match your document needs and budget.

Sponsors

The Business Buyer’s Guide to Printers series is published in association with Kyocera Mita and OKI.