Be it an inkjet or a laser or even a multi- functional device (MFD), printer
vendors are coming up with a wide range of printers to suit the needs and tastes
of diverse customer segments. However, with lasers witnessing a fall in price,
the market for inkjet printers has been hit considerably. There is no denying
that even the home user segment that was earlier restricted to an inkjet has
developed a taste for better quality picture and willing to shell out a little
more for laser printers than buy an inkjet. The cost of running an inkjet is
higher when compared to lasers; owing to cartridge cost and number of pages an
inkjet can print, which is less in number when compared with lasers. So while
vendors are investing heavily in schemes, promotions and launches in order to
push the printer models in the market, dealers are divided in their opinion when
laser is pitted against an inkjet. On contacting the dealers, several points
came to light.
Laser is the order of the day:
Chetan Vithlani of Merlin Multitech, Raipur opined that the demand for laser
printer is more as compared to inkjet. Citing several reasons behind the trend
he said, “The price of laser has come down and consumers are also looking for
quality print. This aside, the operating cost of a laser printer as compared to
an inkjet is less making it more effective.”
Elucidating the same by example, he stated that if one buys an inkjet at Rs
2,200, then Rs 1,500 is only the cartridge cost and it can print only 100 to 200
pages but as opposed to a laser, which is now available at an affordable price
of Rs 4,500, can print 3,000 pages and it's cartridge can be refilled for a sum
of Rs 350. Once refilled, it can again print 3,000 pages. Another problem with
an inkjet is that if one does not use it for a period of three to four months,
then the cartridge dries out, which is not the case with lasers. Again from a
dealer's point of view, margins in an inkjet is around Rs 50 to 100, while in
lasers, partners earn margins close to Rs 400 to 500, that makes it more
attractive for them to stock.
Manoj Gupta of Delhi-based Challenger Computer mentioned, “Both the
printers have an equal demand in the market. However, a consumer always buys a
printer depending upon his own requirements. Of late, the market has witnessed
another kind of trend wherein the SOHO and the home users have started opting
for laser multi-function devices (MFD). One then can copy, print and scan at the
same time.”
Sharing the same view, NK Aggarwal, Pulse Systems, Delhi said that inkjet is
definitely on the decline. “I do not keep more than 15 to 20 inkjet printers at
the moment and laser is where the demand lies. The home user segment is
gradually drifting towards lasers as the cartridge cost is low in them.”
A Akhtar Hussain of Challenger Computer, Chennai had already sensed that the
market will move towards laser so gradually he phased out the stock of inkjet
printers. However, he also mentioned that in the inkjet category, it is the MFD
that is still in demand.
Dinesh Suhasaria of Kolkata-based Caltron said that the market is definitely
drifting towards lasers and there is a motivation among buyers to purchase
lasers, keeping both fall in price and quality in mind. However, inkjet is one
printer that is affordable and hence the homebuyers are sticking to it.
Inkjet for SIs,assemblers
Chennai-based dealer, Murali, CEO, Pelkin Office Automation opined that
lasers being push products and with cost coming down, are definitely more in
demand. However, inkjet is mostly demanded by PC assemblers, system integrators
(SIs) and for bundling purpose.
Puneet Singhal, CEO of Delhi-based Pioneer Enterprises. “Most of the
customers that come to us for getting the cartridges refilled are using lasers.
In such a scenario, the inkjets is mostly being used for bundling purpose, and
dealers who are no more interested in selling inkjets are either selling their
parts out to recover some cost or fazing them out gradually.”
Inkjet will continue to exist:
Vinod Mulchandani of Mumbai-based Aarvee Computers differed in his opinion and
stated that the home users and the SOHO segment still rely on inkjet, as their
printing requirements are not huge. “Infact, now-a-days in the inkjet printer
category itself, vendors have come up with such features, which not only helps
an end- customer to print fast but also to avail the best of the color options,
making the inkjets equally useful and effective.”
Anil Mhaske, CEO, Data Care Corporation, Pune was of the view that both share
a 50-50 market when it comes to demand. “The home users and the SOHO segment are
still inclined more towards inkjets and the market for the same will never
diminish. However, lasers are also being opted by SOHO's and SMBs.”