Printers are essential tools for transforming digital documents into physical form, and they come in various types designed for different needs. Among the most popular and efficient types of printers are laser printers, which are known for their speed and precision. In this article, we’ll explore the inner workings of laser printers, their history, and examine the pros and cons.
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Definition: Laser printer
A laser printer is a type of printer that uses a laser beam to produce an image on a drum, which is then transferred to paper using toner powder. Unlike inkjet printers that spray liquid printing ink, laser printers employ dry powder to create sharp text and graphics. The laser scans across the drum, applying an electrostatic charge that attracts the toner, which is then fused onto the paper through heat.
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History
The fascinating history of laser printers dates back to the late 1960s, when the concept was first patented in 1969 by Gary Starkweather — a product developer at Xerox Corporation — who envisioned using a laser beam to create text on paper.
In 1971, the first functional laser printer prototype was created by Starkweather. He modified the Xerox 7000 copier to create a system called SLOT (Scanned Laser Output Terminal). This early model used a laser to print text at impressive speeds.
Xerox introduced the first commercial laser printer, the IBM 3800, in 1976. The IBM 3800 replaced line printers for data centers as its specialty was high-volume printing on continuous form paper (or “continuous stationery” in the UK).
In May 1984, the HP LaserJet reached the market as the first laser printer designed for IBM-compatible personal computers (PCs). It could print both horizontally and vertically, produce high print quality and graphics while being quieter than other printers. It also had built-in fonts stored in ROM (Read-Only Memory), which was a groundbreaking feature.
Benefits & disadvantages
There are various benefits and disadvantages that come with laser printers. The most significant ones are listed in the boxes below.
Pros
- Sharp text printouts
- Perfect for high-volume printing
- Low cost-per-page since toner lasts long
- Low maintenance since it doesn’t use ink
Cons
- High initial cost
- Can be quite heavy and bulky
- Not well-suited for photo printing
- Doesn’t work with all printer paper types
Click on the button below to check out our article comparing inkjet and laser printers.
FAQs
That depends on your needs. If you regularly need to print text documents, don’t want to buy refill ink, require high-volume printing, and don’t mind a high initial cost, then a laser printer is perfect for you.
Laser printers tend to have a higher initial purchase price compared to inkjet models. Color laser printers can also be expensive, and while they’re great for text, they may not match the photo print quality of other printers. Although toner cartridges last much longer, they can be more expensive to replace than ink.
No, laser printers don’t use ink. Instead, they use toner, which is a fine powder that is fused to the paper using heat.
Yes, for many users it is. If you print frequently or mostly need black-and-white documents, a laser printer can be more cost-effective in the long run. They’re fast and quite low-maintenance. However, if you print occasionally or require high-quality photo printing, an inkjet might be a better fit.
