{"id":8347,"date":"2019-12-09T16:34:30","date_gmt":"2019-12-09T16:34:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/?p=8347"},"modified":"2023-08-05T00:39:48","modified_gmt":"2023-08-05T00:39:48","slug":"when-should-i-buy-a-new-printer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/when-should-i-buy-a-new-printer\/","title":{"rendered":"When should I buy a new printer?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Even with regular maintenance, printers can&#8217;t last forever. Here is when you should start thinking about an upgrade.<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>We all have different reasons for wanting a new printer. Some users need a new printer because their printing needs have changed, some are for economical reasons, and some simply need a new printer because their old unit has run its course.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What&#8217;s the average lifespan of a printer?<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The average lifespan of a printer is around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/pros-cons-of-inkjet-and-laser-printers\/\">3-5 years<\/a>.\u00a0 With proper upkeep and maintenance, some printers can last longer, but eventually your machine will need an upgrade. Here, we cover a few common signs that signal it may be time for a new printer so you can plan ahead and find the best printing solution for your home or office.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#1. <strong>It doesn\u2019t make sense for your needs<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Inkjet printers and laser printers are designed to accommodate two very different types of printer users. If you are using a printer that doesn\u2019t fit your needs, you are wasting valuable printing dollars on an inefficient machine.\u00a0 Inkjets are best for casual home printing and photos, while laser printers are built to handle text heavy office prints.\u00a0 Take a look at what sort of documents you print frequently and read our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/pros-cons-of-inkjet-and-laser-printers\/\">inkjet vs. laser guide<\/a> to learn more about the benefits of both types of printers.\u00a0 Then, decide whether your needs are in line with the features and functionality of your current printer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#2 &#8211; <strong>Your cartridges are too expensive<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Pricey printer cartridges can make or break any printer budget.\u00a0 If new cartridge replacements cost more than the price you paid for the printer, it\u2019s time to get a new machine.\u00a0 Most printers (and their cartridges) follow the razor and blades business model.\u00a0 Razor companies perfected this sales tactic years ago by selling their razor handles for cheap, only to charge a premium for the blades.\u00a0 The printer industry thrives off of this same model, selling their printers at break even or a loss, only to make up for it with expensive cartridges.\u00a0 Instead of overpaying for cartridges every time, you will want to find a printer that uses inexpensive cartridges with a high page yield.\u00a0 Ink tank printers like the Epson EcoTank series are a good option for home users with high volume printing needs and laser printers are best suited for businesses.\u00a0 Learn how to choose a budget-friendly printer with our complete buying guide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/best-cheap-printers-with-affordable-printer-cartridges\/\">here<\/a>.\u00a0 Buying low cost compatible cartridges from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/?xid=tmd:blog:banner&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_source=ldblog&amp;utm_campaign=8347:homepage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LD Products<\/a> is another great way to save.\u00a0 We have been helping our customers print affordably for over twenty years, delivering the same exceptional print quality and performance as the name brand, at a fraction of the price &#8211; and we back every compatible cartridge with a lifetime guarantee!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#3 &#8211; <strong>Print speed is too slow<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The more miles you put on your printer, the slower it tends to get due to worn out parts and repeated use.\u00a0 Print speed is calculated in ppm (pages per minute) or ipm (images per minute), depending on what printer model you own.\u00a0 A few different factors can contribute to print speed, including the type and size of the document you are printing, whether you are printing in black, color (or both) and the quality of the print job.\u00a0 One way to test the speediness of your machine is by printing in draft mode, which is generally pretty speedy since it doesn\u2019t use a lot of ink to create a print.\u00a0\u00a0 If draft mode is printing slowly, it may be time to trade in your printer.<\/p>\r\n<h3 id=\"section5\"><strong><sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com?xid=tmd:blog:banner&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_source=ldblog&amp;utm_campaign=11358:greatink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9286 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ld_bnr_blog_GreatInk_2020_728x90-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" \/><\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#4 &#8211; <strong>The print quality is poor<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Poor print quality is inevitable with any printer that gets used regularly.\u00a0 However, just because you are getting poor prints, doesn\u2019t mean you should throw in the towel just yet.\u00a0 There are a few simple troubleshooting tips that can improve print quality instantly.\u00a0 Streaky or light prints can usually be resolved by running the cleaning function on your machine.\u00a0 We recommend only running a cleaning 1-2 times.\u00a0 You don\u2019t want to clean the printer multiple times in a row, as it does deplete the ink inside the cartridge.\u00a0 Should the cleaning not work, consider replacing the cartridges.\u00a0 Sometimes a fresh set of cartridges are all you need.\u00a0 Check out our common printer troubleshooting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/troubleshooting-printer-problems\/\">guide<\/a> for more tips on improving print quality.\u00a0 If the quality doesn\u2019t improve after replacing the cartridges, your printer is likely ready for replacement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>#5 &#8211; The internal parts are worn<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Clicking or grinding noises and frequent printer jams are another sign of age.\u00a0 Paying for repairs may be enticing but it often costs more than the purchase price of the actual printer. \u00a0That, and factoring in the down time while your printer is in the shop, is probably not worth the wait.\u00a0 If you are really attached to your printer, get a quote from a local repair shop before committing to the repair work.\u00a0 Switching to a newer printer model may not be as scary as you think.\u00a0 As new printer models get released, most only have slight changes in printer technology and cartridge features between versions.\u00a0\u00a0 There\u2019s a good chance your new printer will feel an awful lot like your old one, just with a couple of additional advanced features. If you do decide to go for an upgrade, make sure you properly dispose of your old machine- we show you how in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/how-to-recycle-your-old-printer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"printer recycling guide (opens in a new tab)\">printer recycling guide<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Now that you know what to look out for, you can keep an eye on your printer and make a smart buy when it\u2019s ready for retirement.\u00a0 If you aren&#8217;t sure what printer is right for you, drop us a line in the comments, we\u2019d be happy to help you out!<\/p>\r\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com?xid=tmd:blog:&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_source=ldblog&amp;utm_campaign=8347:lowprices\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9287\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ld_banr_txt_customers_2020_728x90-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"841\" height=\"104\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<div id=\"footable_parent_12760\"\n     class=\"footable_parent ninja_table_wrapper loading_ninja_table wp_table_data_press_parent semantic_ui colored_table\">\n                <table data-ninja_table_instance=\"ninja_table_instance_0\" data-footable_id=\"12760\" data-filter-delay=\"1000\" aria-label=\"LD Products - support us plug - gray\"            id=\"footable_12760\"\n           data-unique_identifier=\"ninja_table_unique_id_1318754291_12760\"\n           class=\" foo-table ninja_footable foo_table_12760 ninja_table_unique_id_1318754291_12760 ui table  nt_type_legacy_table selectable striped vertical_centered ninja_custom_color inverted footable-paging-left hide_all_borders ninjatable_hide_header_row ninja_table_search_disabled ninja_table_pro\">\n                <colgroup>\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_0 \">\n                    <\/colgroup>\n        <thead>\n<tr class=\"footable-header\">\n                        <th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_0 ninja_clmn_nm_cartridgeseries \">\ufeffCartridge Series<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n\n        <tr data-row_id=\"1067\" class=\"ninja_table_row_0 nt_row_id_1067\">\n            <td>Thank you for reading this post! This article is written by a team of ink experts at <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LD Product<\/a>s<\/span> - a Long Beach, California-based company that specializes in <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">compatible ink and toner<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0 With over 20 years of printing expertise, we\u2019re committed to helping you save money on printer ink without sacrificing quality.\u00a0 If you found this content helpful, we\u2019d be grateful if you supported us by visiting <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LDProducts.com<\/a><\/span> for all of your ink and toner needs.\u00a0 We appreciate your support!<\/td>        <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody><!--ninja_tobody_rendering_done-->\n    <\/table>\n    <style id=\"ninja_table_custom_css_12760\" type=\"text\/css\">\n#footable_12760,\n#footable_12760 table {\n    background-color: rgba(238, 240, 241, 1) !important;\n    color: rgba(7, 7, 7, 1) !important;\n    border-color: rgba(238, 240, 241, 1) !important;\n}\n#footable_12760 thead tr.footable-filtering th {\n    background-color:  !important;\n    color:  !important;\n}\n#footable_12760:not(.hide_all_borders) thead tr.footable-filtering th {\n        border : 1px solid transparent !important;\n    }\n#footable_12760 .input-group-btn:last-child > .btn:not(:last-child):not(.dropdown-toggle) {\n    background-color:  !important;\n    color:  !important;\n}\n#footable_12760 tr.footable-header, #footable_12760 tr.footable-header th, .colored_table table.ninja_table_pro.inverted.table.footable-details tbody tr th {\n    background-color:  !important;\n    color:  !important;\n}\n\n#footable_12760:not(.hide_all_borders) tbody tr td {\n    border-color: rgba(238, 240, 241, 1) !important;\n}\n#footable_12760 tbody tr:hover {\n    background-color: rgba(238, 240, 241, 1) !important;\n    color: rgba(7, 7, 7, 1) !important;\n}\n#footable_12760 tbody tr:hover td {\n    border-color: rgba(238, 240, 241, 1) !important;\n}\n\n#footable_12760 tfoot .footable-paging {\n    background-color:  !important;\n}\n#footable_12760 tfoot .footable-paging .footable-page.active a {\n    background-color:  !important;\n}\n#footable_12760:not(.hide_all_borders) tfoot tr.footable-paging td {\n    border-color:  !important;\n}\n\n\n#footable_12760 td.ninja_column_0 { text-align: center; }<\/style>\n\n    \n    \n<\/div>\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Even with regular maintenance, printers can&#8217;t last forever. Here is when you should start thinking about an upgrade. We all have different reasons for wanting a new printer. Some users&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":8357,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[28],"tags":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8347"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8347"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8347\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13469,"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8347\/revisions\/13469"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8357"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8347"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8347"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8347"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}