Do You Need a Printer or Copier?

When it comes to purchasing a printer/copier here in the Plano market, it is a common misconception that copiers are always less expensive than laser printers. To address this myth, it is important to compute the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) when considering which type of device you should purchase, rather than just the cost per print. Things to consider when determining your TCO include: the cost of printer/copier itself, cost per print, maintenance expenses, and how much power the device uses.

A good example of comparing the TCO is with a Kyocera 5035 copier and a Kyocera 9520 printer. Both for these devices use the Falcon series engine and their cost per print is the same. The difference is the Kyocera 9520 printer is much less expensive to purchase, and since it does not have scanner glass and fax boards, it has less maintenance costs.

So, while often times a copier is cheaper than a laser printer, this is often due to people choosing a printer that is not efficient. Looking at your TCO and defining how much you will be paying in the long run will greatly help in determining whether to purchase a copier or a printer.