The quick answer is just go to Costco, look at what they have to offer, and get what you need and can afford. They have a great return policy, so Costco makes sure they don’t stock junky printers that break quickly.  Costco has the advantage of buying large volumes and numerous brands of new printers, and getting quick feedback from their customers.  I can’t think of anyone else in the computer industry who has these advantages. They also don’t have commissioned sales people pushing untested models and extended warranties.

 With all the chaos in the world, it’s almost impossible to research, order, and install the “best” printer.  Several large, formerly “reliable” companies now sell some of the worst junk currently out there.

So I cringe every time I get asked this question. It used to be that when you bought a printer, you spent $500 or more, and got a printer that would last at least 10 years. Granted, way back when there were only “dot matrix” and primitive laser printers.

That was 30 years ago.

My first printer in 1983 was a “daisy wheel” printer. It was a glorified typewriter that had a large cable that connected to the “parallel port” of an early IBM PC “clone”, a Compaq portable that looked like a small sewing machine.

A lot has changed since then. Now we have color laser and inkjet printers. We even have printers that can print plastic, metal, or cement parts and structures.

Most people buy color inkjet printers because they seem more affordable.  That’s until you go to buy your first set of ink cartridges.  Even so, if you don’t print a lot of pages, an inkjet is the most affordable.

But if you print a lot of pages, or run a business, a laserjet printer is much cheaper per page and way more reliable as well!

Steve