The driver is the software that tells the printer how to interact with other software, such as your word processor or picture viewer. Examples are SD (Secure Digital), MS (Memory Stick) or CF (Compact Flash). Memory cards – some printers have slots that accept various memory cards used in digital cameras.Near-field communication (NFC) – lets you print by “tapping” your phone or tablet on to the printer, using similar tech to contactless payment.USB port – allows printing from a flash drive.
For more about ink usage and common problems with ink cartridges, read our article about printer ink. Lasers use dry ink, so they don’t have this problem. In fact, over the life of a printer, it’s not unusual to spend more on replacement ink than you spent on the machine itself.īecause inkjets use liquid ink, a lot tends to be wasted when it dries on the printhead.
Ink is a major ongoing cost for printers.