Is it time to buy a new printer?

When you first purchased your printer, it was an investment. Several years later, however, these questions start to pop up in your head: What is the exact lifespan of a printer? Should you keep repairing it? How do you know if it’s finally time to retire it and get a brand new printer?

The average lifespan of a printer is about 4 to 6 years, but this ultimately depends on how much it is used, as well as the make and the model. There also comes a point when it is no longer worth spending money on fixing your old printer, and it is better to just replace it.

Here are some signs to help you know when you should let your printer go:

Slow print speeds

Slow print speeds can affect your company’s productivity and efficiency, especially if there is a lot of printing to be done. Slow print speeds may be due to your printer being an older (and slower) model, or it may be caused by failing internal components.

Print blemishes

Lines and marks that appear on your printed document could be caused by defective ink or toner cartridges. However, if the blemishes do not go away even after you’ve changed the cartridge and cleaned the printer, it probably is time for a new printer.

Can’t keep up with your print needs

Your print requirements will most likely change and evolve over the years as your business grows. Older printer models may not be able to provide you with the page yield or paper capacity that you need, and may not be able to keep up with your print needs.

Outdated technology

Just like computers and smartphones, printers should be updated every few years as new technology emerges. Manufacturers are always offering new models with advanced capabilities, increased print speeds, and better efficiency, so it may be worth upgrading your printer if it is more than five years old.

Hard to find replacement parts

If your printer model is from quite a few years ago, replacement components may be hard to find or even obsolete altogether. It may also be very expensive to repair and replace the parts, which makes buying a new model a better and more practical option.

Signs of breaking down

Some of the indications that your printer is starting to malfunction include regular clicking or grinding sounds, or excessive print errors. When it gets harder to fix and increasingly frustrating, consider looking for a new printer.

Stops functioning

Well, if your printer ceases to function either in part or completely, the decision has been made for you. Please go ahead and get a new printer.

All electronic devices are prone to minor issues from time to time. However, if you find that your printer runs into problems almost every day, it may be a good idea to buy a new one. This helps to save money in the long run (less expensive repairs and component replacement) and probably save your sanity as well.

At Inks and Toners, we have a wide range of inkjet and laser printers from top brands such as Brother, Canon and Epson. If you need assistance to find one that best suits your requirements, feel free to get in touch with our team.