FREE PRINTERS
Let's face it: It's nice to get something for free. Many computer vendors, such as Dell and Gateway, often use free inkjet printers as an incentive for shoppers to buy their product. As incentives go, it's not a bad one.
Do not automatically assume that, because you're getting it for free, that the printer is an inferior one. Often, the printers being offered as free bonuses are models that are about to be pulled from retail shelves -- or have already been pulled -- to make way for an updated model. In that case, they may be perfectly useable.
Because printers are also very inexpensive these days, it's probably not a good idea to base your choice of computer system upon whether or not you're getting a free printer. But if one's being offered for a machine that you're going to buy anyway, don't turn it down. If you could use a new printer, and you have a choice between the printer and some other device, check out any reviews you can find on CNET, PC Magazine, PC World, and other sites. It may be a great deal.
For more information about finding free (or nearly free) printers, you can read How to Find a Free Printer.
UP TO $100
Inkjet:
There are inkjet printers out there for less than $50 -- and if you're working on a very tight budget, they will give you acceptable printing. This will probably include 1200x1200 dpi resolution, reasonable quality and slow speeds (generally, up to 10ppm). This doesn't mean that there are not good printers for under $50. For example, this category includes the Epson Stylus C84, which was reviewed quite favorably in terms of print quality and speed.
Try to beware of printers that only come with a single color cartridge, rather than one for color and one for black ink. A color-only printer will quickly cost you more than you saved on the under-$50 price: Color ink is considerably more expensive than black, so using a combination of colors rather than black ink will add to your outlay. If you buy a separate black cartridge, the constant switching between the two cartridges will be awfully inconvenient.
From $50 to $100, things get better. You get higher speeds, a wide variety of accepted media types (for example, the ability to print on envelopes or index cards), and a higher paper capacity. Print quality at this level should be acceptable for most home and many business uses. Be aware that some devices at this level can be ink hogs -- an inexpensive printer with a lot of features can sometimes use a lot of ink.
However, for the most part, you can comfortably spend under $100 for a good, solid home printer that will get your letters and leaflets out without any fuss or bother.
Multifunction/All-in-Ones:
There are few all-in-ones available at this price point, but you can find some bargains. However, make sure that the all-in-ones at the lower-end of the scale have all the features you need.
Laser Printers
There are a few monochrome (black & white) laser printers available that come in for just under the $100 mark (as in $99.99). These can be solid home laser printers for people who need to print a lot of text documents but don't need such options as networkability or extra page drawers.
