Laser Printers Buyer's Guide

Resolution

Resolution for laser printers is measured in dots per inch, or dpi. This refers to the number of dots, both vertically and horizontally, that are printed per inch of paper.

For many years, 300 dpi printing was considered the standard for office documents. However, many printers now offer 600 dpi resolution, which translates to a four-fold increase in print quality.

Fine lines and dark curves look better at 600 dpi, but text will look very similar at either resolution. Buyers looking at PCL printers will need to purchase a model equipped with an extended version of PCL5, called PCL5e, for 600 dpi capability.

Printers that boast printing resolutions greater than 600 dpi are nice to have, but are not necessary for most offices.

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