Mono print
The black and white print speed provided by the printer. It should be noted that this parameter is often indicated for low quality when the device is running at maximum performance; at a higher quality (even at standard), the actual speed can be noticeably lower, so you should choose with a certain margin. Also note that high speed significantly affects the price, power consumption and noise level. Therefore, it does not always make sense to chase maximum performance — for simple applications (for example, at home or in a small office), a relatively slow and inexpensive device may be the best choice.
As for specific values, speeds
up to 20 ppm are considered relatively low,
20 – 30 ppm — average,
31 – 40 ppm — decent, and the fastest models are capable of delivering
more than 40 pages per minute.
Colour print
Colour print speed provided by the printer. Usually, the specifications give speed at low quality, when performance is highest; on standard and especially high settings, the print speed can be noticeably lower, so it’s worth choosing with a certain margin. It is also worth considering that high speed significantly affects the price, power consumption and noise level. Therefore, it does not always make sense to chase maximum performance — for simple applications and small print volumes, a relatively slow and inexpensive device may be the best choice.
The "slowest" colour printers today are capable of delivering
less than 10 pages per minute. A more decent value is considered
10 – 20 ppm, a speed
of more than 20 ppm can already be called quite good, and in the fastest models this figure
exceeds 30 ppm.
Photo print
Printer print speed in photographic (highest) quality. Unlike other similar parameters, in this case the speed is usually indicated for a 10x15 sheet (A6, the most popular format for photographs). In addition, photo printing speed is not expressed in pages per minute, but in seconds per page, because. printing takes a lot of time. This option is worth paying attention to if you plan to
print photos frequently.
Colour cartridge resource
The maximum number of pages that the printer's ink (toner) can print. The value is rather conditional, in reality the deviations from the norm are very large (up or down). In inkjet printers, the cartridge life is relatively small and amounts to several hundred prints. In laser and LED devices, the bill is already in the thousands.
Grammage (max)
The maximum grammage on which the printer can produce normal print quality. For details about the weight, see "Paper Weight (Min)". An attempt to print on paper of a greater density than the maximum for this printer will, at best, end in nothing (the printer simply cannot capture the sheet), at worst, it can lead to a sheet jam in the printer, followed by the hassle of removing it.
Noise level
Approximate noise level generated by the printer during normal operation. The decibels in which the noise level is expressed is a non-linear value, so it is easiest to evaluate this indicator using comparative tables. The
quietest printers give out about 35 dB — this is the volume of a conversation in a whisper, such noise will not stand out even in a quiet library reading room. A volume of 40 dB approximately corresponds to a conversation at an average volume, according to sanitary standards, this is the upper limit of permissible constant noise in residential premises during the day. For offices, the border is slightly higher — 55 – 60 dB, this is the volume of a conversation in raised tones. And the most powerful and heavy models give out up to 70 dB — this is comparable to a noisy city street; if such a printer is planned to be used frequently, it is advisable to install it in a separate room.
In general, lower noise levels make the device more comfortable to use, but may affect performance and/or price.
Power consumption
The maximum power consumed by the printer during operation. The lower the power consumption, the less energy the printer consumes, the more economical it is. On the other hand, devices with lower power consumption are often less performant than their more high consumption counterparts. And for the same performance, a more economical printer is likely to cost more, but with heavy use, it can pay off in energy savings.
