So you’ve acquired your desk, chair, computer, and maybe a filing cabinet. You’re ready to start working from home and have said goodbye to the daily commute. You think you have everything you need (for now) and then you realize that either you don’t have a printer/scanner, or your existing one is on its last legs.
You can of course always pop out to your local print shop when the need arises, but the problem with that is two-fold. Firstly you are leaving your office unattended, and secondly, although you only plan to be away for half an hour, these trips always take longer. You get chatting to the owner of the shop, or you bump into a friend, and suddenly an hour of your precious time has gone forever, never to be regained.
So it makes sense to buy your own machine. But before jumping into purchasing something that you will later regret, stand back and consider where you’re going to place it within your office. It obviously needs to be near to an electricity socket, otherwise, you will end up running extension leads across the floor. Unsightly and dangerous are the words that spring to mind!
If your desk is big enough, then that could be the ideal position for it. However, if you intend for it to sit on top of a table or cabinet, measure the space available. There’s nothing worse than finding that the machine protrudes over the edge, and you bump into it every time you pass by.
All of this may sound obvious, but in your enthusiasm to get things sorted, it’s easy to overlook the basics.
And part of the basics is to decide what type of printer you require. Normally the choice is between laser printers and inkjet printers. If you are working from home then your choice will almost certainly be an inkjet model which is ideal for occasional or daily use. Laser printers tend to be used in larger offices when a high volume of printing is required. The good thing about inkjet printers is that many can be used wirelessly, doing away with cables. Just in case you are still undecided about purchasing a printer, consider the following:
Save time and money.
I have already touched upon the time issue above, but once you have your own printer it will save you money in the long run.
Availability.
There are plenty of occasions when you will work late into the evening either by choice or because you have a deadline to meet. Try finding a copy shop that is open at 10.00 pm!
Family.
You will be the best parent in the world when you can print off copies of school projects, photos, documents, etc. And don’t forget calendars, organizers, reminder lists, and almost any fun thing to help family life run smoothly.
Experiment.
Apart from the usual functions, you may like to experiment with making your own designs. You can create your own letter headings, personalized notepads, calendars, organizers etc, all ready to print at your leisure. Think of the cost-saving, let alone the pleasure you will gain from completing these tasks.
So, having made up your mind to purchase a printer, the only consideration left is the price. In recent years the cost has tumbled and you can pick up a brand new machine for not a lot of money. As with any purchase, it is well worth looking at the models that are available to suit your budget.
I have used Amazon for many of my office equipment purchases. There is always a good selection, plus the price range is readily available to see, and no pushy salesmen trying to get you to upgrade when you really can’t afford to do so. Plus delivery is straight to your home office.
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