Whether you have a home office or a commercial space, having a printer is a necessity for most businesses. Because let’s be honest we cannot always rely on a server. There are times when you need to have a physical copy of your data and that’s where printers come in handy.
But, like any piece of equipment, printers don’t last forever. No matter how sturdy they are, they’ll perform their best for a limited time and after that, you might start experiencing inconsistency in their quality of work.
So, how do you know when it’s time to purchase a new one? What exactly are the signs that you should look for in order to buy a new printer?
Here are 4 signs indicating that it might be time to replace your old trusty printer with a new one.
1. Your Printer is More than 3 Years Old
On average, most printers have a lifespan of about 3-5 years. The time span can vary depending on various factors like the type of printer or how often it’s used. If your printer is more than 3 years old, it might be time to start looking for a replacement.
You can still get a lot of use out of your old printer, but it’s time to start shopping for a new one if you want to take advantage of the latest technology. Rapid technological advancements ensure that new models are constantly being released into the market with higher printing speeds and improved features.
It’s hard to believe that there once was a time when printers didn’t have wireless connectivity. However, this is no longer true as most models now come with wireless capabilities or at least offer an option for USB connections. So in order to stay on par with the latest technological innovations, it’s important to update your printer every 3 to 5 years.
2. You’re Incurring High Printing Costs
Another sign that your printer might need retirement is when you’re replacing the ink cartridges too often. If you notice that your printer is consuming increased amounts of ink resulting in higher printing costs, it might be due to an outdated printer.
With time, printers tend to consume more ink and as a result, the ink cartridges empty out much early.
Newer models are designed to be more energy efficient, which can save you money on your electric bill as well. In addition, many newer printers use cartridges that have larger ink capacities. This can help save money in the long run as you won’t need as many replacements over time.
3. You’re Print Jobs are Taking Forever
Do your print jobs always seem to take forever? If so, it could be due to an outdated printer. It’s one of the most common signs of a printer that requires replacement. Everyone wants to be as fast and efficient as possible in their printing tasks because no one’s got time to wait around a printer.
Newer models frequently boast faster printing speeds. In addition, they often come with features that allow you to print multiple pages at once or print on both sides of the paper automatically. These features can save you time and help increase your productivity.
4. The Print Quality is Poor
If your printer is being used on a regular basis, you are bound to face poor print quality someday or the other.
There may be chances that your printer is facing these issues due to some technical glitches and might not be a result of old age. In this case, a few simple troubleshooting steps can help you improve your print quality significantly. At times all your printer does require is a new set of ink cartridges.
But if these tips do not give you the desired results it’s quite evident that your printer is likely ready for a replacement.
Conclusion
While every business has different needs, a majority of them require an efficient printer. If your business relies heavily on printing documents, it’s important to have a reliable printer that meets your needs. Keep an eye out for these 4 basic signs and if you notice any of these issues with your current printer, it might be time to welcome a new member into your office.
If you’re looking for printer bargains, you should keep an eye on deals announced at the beginning of the calendar year and the end of summer. At this time, you can easily exchange your old printer for a new one and also receive exciting offers and discounts.
We hope that you find a promising printer for your business. In case your old printer is still in working condition, you can also consider donating it to an organization.
But before discarding your printer keep in mind that there are various toxic substances in a printer that can pollute the environment! You need to make sure that you’re disposing your printer in the electronic waste category to avoid any possible toxic substances being released into the environment. Whatever you do, choose to be mindful of your actions as they eventually impact everyone around you including yourself.
