Printers and document scanners are standard equipment offices around the country. Dell printers and scanners are some of the most widely used models in business, and this is mainly due to their performance and inexpensive cost. Dell also offers many types of printers and scanners, including inkjet and laser printers, flatbed scanning, and all-in-one models that can print, scan and fax. Most models work with other types of computers as well so you can plug in to a computer and go.

Because businesses want to save money wherever they can, many companies look into buying inexpensive computer equipment. Dell printer and scanners are some of the most affordable for individuals and businesses. They also offer:

1. Many different types of printers and document scanners.

2. Warranties for parts on the equipment.

3. Easy ways to buy accessories and ink for your equipment.

Action Steps
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Buy a black and white Dell printer to save money

Most businesses that need to print documents from the computer usually do not require color ink. If this is the case for your business, you can save hundreds of dollars buying and printer that only uses black ink. Black and white printers for the office can cost $120 to $1,000, depending on the speed of the printer and any additional features you may want.

I recommend: Dell offers many models of black and white printers. If you are not sure which type of printer you want (laser, inkjet, etc.) to choose from, check out the buying advice from Consumer Reports.

Choose Dell printers and scanners that are easy to use

When it comes to printing and scanning from a PC or laptop, you want to have a product that anyone can use with little instruction. Most Dell printers and scanners feature one-button operation. This means you can open a document and get the copies or prints you want in seconds. Easy to use scanners from Dell range in price from $95 to $975, depending on the scanner's optical resolution and scan type.

I recommend: Dell offers a wide selection of scanners from the top brands, including Canon, Kodak and Epson. PC Magazine offers reviews for most of the models of scanners Dell carries.

Get all-in-on equipment for printing and document scanning

While the initial cost may be a little high, you can certainly get all your computer accessories shopping done in stop if you choose to buy an all-in-one printer and scanner. These machines can also copy and fax in most cases, saving you time and space in the office. These models can cost anywhere from $300 for a desktop version to $2,000 for a stand-alone model.

I recommend: CNet provides comprehensive reviews for many Dell printers and scanners. These reviews compare products against similar models from other companies and suggest alternatives. You can also find many Dell reviews from Just Tech'n.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The pricing and costs of Dell printers and scanners vary widely because the company offers many other brands besides its own. Take a look at all the specs before you decide which brand is best for your office.

Buying a printer or scanner used to be simple – and limited. Now you have choices, and many business owners no longer want to buy computers with all the components in place. With so many options, the trick is to match function with your computer and business needs to avoid paying for more product than you need.

Dell has many choices in printers, including inkjet and laser, but Dell scanners only come in an all-in-one device. The company’s expansive website has a section for small and medium businesses, including ratings and comments from customers on its computers and computer accessories. Weigh the pros and cons of the following:

1. Determine if the quantity of printing your business justifies a laser printer.
   
2. Decide if you need the high-quality text and/or color of a laser printer.
   
3. Consider any space restraints and the need for a scanner, which would make a Multifunction Device (MFD) a better choice.
   

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Weigh the costs of laser versus inkjet printers

The cost gap between laser and inkjet printers has closed considerably, but the cost per page is cheaper with a laser printer. You will also benefit from speed and better print quality that doesn't fade or smear with a laser.

I recommend: Consult Dell’s Printer Learning Center for the advantages of choosing a laser printer, including computer, laptop and network connections. You can also find good sources for service plans (other than Dell’s) and outlet stores for laser printers in Work.com’s Guide to Buying a Laser Printer.

Analyze what you print

If your business is small and you need your printer for low-volume text documents, a monochrome inkjet or laser printer would suffice. Also, a color inkjet will print faster and is cheaper if you have in-office color photos or graphics. But if you need color for marketing materials or you print large amounts text documents daily, you can't beat the print quality of a laser printer.

I recommend: Compare Dell’s selection of color laser printers. If you feel an inkjet printer fits the bill, check them out instead.

Consider the pros and cons of an MFD

The problem with MFDs that combine scanner, printer, copier and fax is when one part breaks, you're out of business. Dell does have a 24/7 technical support and limited Next Business Day Exchange Service on many models. MFDs will also save you space and cost.

I recommend: Peruse Dell’s MFDs. If you need an MFD for a laptop, the Dell968w is less than $200.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  I would start by clicking on the link for Dell's Learning Center for Businesses. It is not cumbersome, and you will find several other topics besides the one on laser printers that I provided, such as cost analysis based on your business needs and accessories you might find useful.
• •  Consumer Reports noted in its 2008 Buying Guide two things worth mentioning about laser printers. For desktop use, they found that laser printers were 'big, noisy and comparatively pricey.' As such, they didn't recommend any. However, they also said that a desktop laser printer used for black and white 'is hard to beat for top quality text at high speed and very low cost.'
• •  I found the Dell website difficult to navigate. If you stick to the links I've provided, you should be able to find everything you need to choose the right Dell scanners and printers for your business.

Prior to dropping a large wad of cash to upgrade or supply your office with new printers or a flashy new document scanner by Dell, you should pause to look at the Dell printers and scanners advice and ratings available. You may be going into your purchase based on a flashy new product announcement, but realistically, it may not be the right one for your company's needs.

There are many consumer sites dedicated to reviews of pc equipment, and many other sites created by private citizens, that detail the ins and outs of various makes and models of a laptop, flatbed scanners, computers, scanners and printers. The information is typically free, so it's up to you to utilize it. Consider the following when looking for advice and ratings:

1. Read reviews and do research on Dell

2. Get advice and ratings on Dell scanners

3. Find credible ratings for Dell printers

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Investigate the computer company you are going to purchase from

Just because you recognize a name brand doesn't mean that you know the product. Before making a sizable monetary investment in a product, but also your time and your employees' time, get to know the company the products are coming from.

I recommend: ConsumerAffairs.com has a large section related to Dell in general, but also a section on Dell printers. The information contained on the site is sent in by customers and their experience with the company or their printers. On My3cents, you can also find customer experiences with Dell and their products.

Become knowledgeable about Dell printers and their ratings

If your company does a lot of print advertising, you certainly don't want to purchase a printer that doesn't perform well or doesn't include the features you need to meet your company's requirements.

I recommend: The folks at CBS Interactive's CNET Reviews have a whole section dedicated to Dell printer reviews, and each one has an editor rating associated with it. You can find similar types of reviews at PCMag.

Take the advice of others in regards to scanning equipment

You may think you need the most high tech document scanning equipment you can find, but it's very possible that, when the equipment arrives, you discover you have aimed too high and paid too much for features you don't need. Go into the decision making process with a clear list of needs and wants and size it up to the advice and ratings you find. You may find out that you can save some money and go with a smaller model to get the same results.

I recommend: The staff at PCWorld has compiled a list of what they feel are the top document scanners. The scanners are scored on a scale of 1 to 100, and you can either read the quick review or the full review. There is a similar list of high rating document scanners at ConsumerSearch. They list the top five scanners, but also offer a full report for each category of scanner available on the market. See an overall review of Dell scanners at eCoustics.