Walk into any electronics shop on Luthuli Avenue and you'll see inkjets priced attractively low. But that cheap printer might cost you more in the long run. Let's break down the real differences.

Understanding the Basics

Inkjet printers spray tiny droplets of liquid ink onto paper. They excel at photo printing and colour documents.

Laser printers use heat to fuse toner powder onto paper. They're built for speed and text document quality.

The True Cost Picture

Initial Purchase: Inkjets win here. You can get a decent inkjet for KES 8,000-15,000. A comparable laser starts at KES 20,000 and goes up significantly for colour.

Running Costs: Laser wins dramatically. Toner cartridges cost more upfront but print thousands of pages. Inkjet cartridges run out quickly – sometimes after just 100-200 pages.

Do the maths: An inkjet printing 500 pages monthly might spend KES 2,000-3,000 on ink. A laser printing the same volume spends perhaps KES 500-800 on toner.

Print Quality Considerations

For text documents: Laser produces sharper, more professional text. The edges are crisper because toner doesn't absorb into paper like ink does.

For photos and graphics: Inkjet still leads for photographic prints. Those tiny ink droplets create smoother gradients and more natural colour transitions.

For coloured business documents: Modern colour lasers have improved significantly. For charts, logos, and presentation materials, they're now excellent choices.

Environmental Factors in Kenya

Here's something many don't consider: inkjet ink can dry out if you don't print regularly. In Kenya's varying climates, this is significant.

If you print occasionally: Your inkjet nozzles might clog from dried ink. You'll waste ink running cleaning cycles or buying new cartridges.

If you print frequently: Either technology works, but laser handles high volumes better without wearing out as quickly.

Humidity and dust: Laser printers generally handle our dusty conditions better since toner is sealed in cartridges, while inkjet heads are exposed.

Speed Matters for Business

Laser printers are significantly faster. A mid-range laser prints 20-30 pages per minute. Most inkjets manage 8-15 pages per minute. When you have queues of customers waiting at your cyber cafe, speed translates to revenue.

Our Recommendation by Business Type

Cyber Cafes and Business Centres: Laser, absolutely. Volume printing demands the speed and lower cost per page.

Photo Studios: Inkjet for photo printing, but consider a laser for document work. Many studios run both.

Schools and Offices: Laser for most use cases. The reliability and speed are worth the higher initial investment.

Home and Light Use: Inkjet can work if you print at least weekly. Otherwise, you'll fight dried ink constantly.

At ilexDigital, we service both inkjet and laser printers. Let us assess your actual printing needs and recommend the right technology. Contact us for honest advice that's based on your situation, not sales targets.