Laser colour printer better than an inkjet?

In my (limited) experience, color laser printers are like the monochrome ones: they have no trouble with infrequent use.

Don't expect much utility in printing photos, though. Inkjets, even 4 color ones (CYMK), are much superior for that purpose.

Thanks for the heads up, that was what I thought just wanted to double check before I spent cash on a new printer.

I am not really needing very high quality prints just need a printer I can use from time to time that will be good for letter writing or putting a bit of colour on a printed document.

Also want something that won't cost the earth on ink, especially when it is not being used!

Just to clarify things a bit, laser jet printers (or just laser printers) don't use ink; they use toner. Ink jets use ink.

That said, laser printers have a high initial cost and replacement toner cartridges are also expensive. There may be other costs associated with them, such as used toner canisters and replacement transfer drums or films. However, the cost per page of printouts is significantly lower than with inkjets making them more economical in the long run. Some brands have a higher cost for consumables that others so be sure to compare the cost per printout for each printer you consider before buying. As you have already learned, laserjets don't get clogged printheads like inkjets do when allowed to be idle for a while.

The two advantages to ink jets is their lower initial cost (sadly, more than offset by the high cost of ink) and superior color photo printing (although some of the higher end laser printers can come pretty close in quality).

BomberAF said:

I was talking about just laser printers, I thought laser jet printers like inkjet printers also get clogged like inkjet printers.

Nope, laser jet printers (more appropriately known as laser printers) don't get clogged like inkjet printers.

Layback Bear said:

Their is another problem I run across in laser printers was the cartage's if left in storage for a long time dried up and or leaked. I have no idea how that happens.

I've run into that with inkjets but never with laser cartridges. If laser cartridges are stored in a hot place, then the toner could partially fuse which would make it act like dried out ink.

A more likely problem with toner cartridges is having the chip expire from sitting in storage too long. That was the problem I had with my last laser printer (other than it wouldn't run on XP because the donkey excavations at HP wouldn't write Win 7 drivers for it). I eventually wasn't able to find any cartridges with a chip that hadn't expired. The printer would still print but I couldn't get into the tool box to change the printer settings (mutter, mutter, mumble mumble).

Unless it's an older model and supplies are getting scarce, it's generally best to wait to buy replacement toner cartridges until a month or two before they are going to be needed.