Deciding which personal printer fits your needs can be a tough choice. Perhaps the first and biggest decision you'll have to make is to decide between whether an inkjet or laser printer satisfies your specific needs.

The basic difference between the two types of printers is that inkjets use liquid inks while laser printers use powder, also known as toner. For those unfamiliar with printers or with very limited needs, inkjet cartridges can tend to be simpler and cheaper than the more complex and elaborate technology used in laser toners. Laser printers tend to be faster than inkjets and more expensive (though they've come down considerably in price), and print better text, while inkjets are better at photo printing.

High speed, good paper handling, and high-quality output are just a few of the many features this collection of personal printers has to offer. And most importantly, they deliver bang for your buck. They're the best and brightest we've come across lately, each one an Editors' Choice.

Featured in This Roundup:



Brother HL-5340D : Angle Brother HL-5340D ($200 street)


Konica Minolta magicolor 1600W : Angle Konica Minolta magicolor 1600W ($180 street)


Right Angle Brother HL-2170W ($150 street)

The Brother HL-2170W delivers a lot of printer for the price, with high speed, more than acceptable output quality, and suitable paper capacity for a small or home office.