The most common question I get asked about printers is, "What printer should I buy?"

The answer is not a simple one. It depends on what you want to print and how much. A $50 printer will work fine if you only plan to print basic documents and the occasional photo. But if you plan to print a lot of photos or other high-quality images and documents, a more expensive color inkjet printer will be worth the investment.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a printer:

Print speed: This can vary widely depending on the type of document or photo you're printing. If you plan to print mostly black text, look for a laser printer that advertises a fast page per minute rate (ppm). If you plan to print lots of photos, go with an inkjet model that can print borderless photos in various sizes up to 8 1/2 x 11 inches. Also look for printers that offer automatic duplexing (two-sided printing) so you can save paper.

Cost per page: Laser printers usually cost more than inkjets up front but are cheaper long-term because toner cartridges don't need replacing as often as ink cartridges do. Black laser toner cartridges last anywhere from 2,500 to 10.