Identifying the Lowest Total Cost-of-Ownership Printer for You
Key Questions:
- What factors contribute to the total cost of ownership (TCO) for a printer?
- How do you determine the true cost of a laser printer?
- How can ManagedPrint help in finding the best TCO printer for your needs?
Are you trying to figure out what printer has the best cost or TCO for your company? It can be frustrating when you look at all the options within the marketplace.
We have helped companies take care of their laser printer fleets as well as manage their ink cartridge inventory for years. We can help you determine the total cost and make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck.
In this article, we will cover what makes up the total cost of ownership, how to determine the cost, and then explain why we won’t have one answer to the seemingly simple question of “what is the lowest total cost of ownership for a laser printer?”
What Factors into the Total Cost of a Laser Printer?
There are costs associated with the total cost besides just the cost of the printer:
- Cost of the Laser Printer: This one is pretty obvious. For example, an HP LaserJet printer might cost $699 while a Brother printer is $249. It seems like the Brother is a better deal, especially if you need to buy 100 or 200 of them. However, other factors could make HP look cheaper in the long run.
- Cost of Ink/Toner: There are two factors here: the actual cost of the toner and the yield of the toner cartridge. A $39 cartridge that yields 2,000 pages is more expensive per print than a $99 cartridge that yields 10,000 pages. You must calculate the cost per print to get a true comparison.
- Cost of Other Supplies: Drums and other supplies can add to the cost. For some printers, these supplies need frequent replacement.
- Cost of Servicing the Printer: If a printer is difficult to service or if service is expensive, this adds to the TCO. HP printers are generally easier and cheaper to service compared to off-brand printers.
- Likelihood to Need Service: Some printers are more reliable than others. Frequent breakdowns add to the cost over time.
- Cost of Processing Invoices: There is a cost associated with processing invoices for toner and supplies. Larger companies often estimate this cost to be around $40 per invoice.
- Cost of Carrying Extra Inventory: Keeping spare toners and supplies on the shelf can tie up capital. This cost needs to be considered in the TCO.
Determining the Cost
Cost of the Laser Printer
This is straightforward. Compare the purchase prices of different models.
Cost of Ink
To find the true cost of ink, divide the price of the toner by the yield:
- $39 cartridge / 2,000 pages = $0.0195 per page
- $99 cartridge / 10,000 pages = $0.0099 per page
Cost of Service
Consider how easy and affordable it is to get service for the printer. HP printers typically have lower service costs due to their popularity and availability of parts.
Cost of Processing Invoices
Estimate how many invoices you process for printer supplies and multiply by the cost per invoice.
Spare Toners
Calculate the cost of keeping a spare toner for each printer. For 100 printers, if each toner costs $99, that’s an additional $9,900 in inventory costs.
Bottom Line: Lowest Total Cost-of-Ownership Printer
Calculating the TCO can seem daunting because it involves multiple factors beyond the initial purchase price. When considering color printers, the complexity increases due to the additional color cartridges.
At ManagedPrint, we help you uncover all costs, including device costs, ink cartridge costs, and hidden administrative costs. We can show you how a managed cartridge or a managed print service plan can help you discover cost savings and determine the true TCO of your laser printers.
We are here to help with your printers, consumables, and service plans for your laser printer fleet.
Want to find out the true cost of your printer fleet? Contact ManagedPrint today to optimize your printing costs and find the best TCO printers for your business.
