New York, NY – Most people have heard of inkjet printers or laser printers. The third major type of printer is an LED printer. They more closely resemble a laser in form and function, and may get lumped into that category more often than not. PrinterComparison.com takes a look at them and explains some key points.
The name, LED, stands for Light Emitting Diode. Where a laser printer would use precision lasers to affix the toner to the paper, LED printers use an array of light. Both types rely on heat as the means of transferring the toner to paper and keeping it there.
This transferring of toner this way is somewhat less complex than laser printers, which is one reason they cost less and can run more efficiently and reliably. In addition, they are generally smaller than laser printers and can more easily be placed in a home office or small business where every inch is valuable.
There are some downsides, however. For one thing, laser printers will offer consumers or businesses a greater resolution. Laser printers can run at 1200 x 1200 dpi, where some LED printers do not get much higher than 600 x 600 dpi. Some of the primary manufacturers of LED printers have expanded their resolution range somewhat, but not to the degree lasers can. If you can live with the lower resolution, however, an LED can serve you or your business just fine, and for less money than a laser.
