Printers

Various types and brands of computer printers may be used with this accounting software. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. These advantages and disadvantages should be weighed in selecting which type of printer to use with the accounting system. Many companies use an assortment of printers.

Laser Printers

The laser printer is probably the best and most recommended choice for speed, quality output and quiet operation.

Laser Advantages

•Fast printing

•Quiet operation

•Publication-quality output

Laser Disadvantages

•Expensive to purchase and maintain

•Laser printer forms for checks and invoices are not automatically printed in duplicate

Ink Jet Printers

Ink Jet printers are a good choice for quality output.

Ink Jet Advantages

•Fast printing

•Quiet operation

•Publication-quality output

•Some models offer color output

•Inexpensive to purchase

Ink Jet Disadvantages

•Forms for checks and invoices are not automatically printed in duplicate

•Ink refills are expensive

Dot Matrix Printers

Dot Matrix printers have for the most part been replaced by the other two options. The one advantage of a dot matrix printer is that since it is an Impact printer, it can print forms such as checks and invoices in duplicate with one pass. Some companies still use dot matrix printers for checks and laser printers for reports.

Dot Matrix Advantages

•Many dot matrix printers support larger paper sizes (i.e. wide, green bar paper)

•Supports multi-part forms such as checks, invoices, W-2s, 1099s etc.

•Printed reports can be placed in hanging file folders which are easy to store and easy to review.

•Inexpensive to run.

Disadvantages

•Slow printing

•Draft quality output (although this may be acceptable, even desirable for accounting reports)

•Noisy to run.

•Subject to paper jams, especially on multiple part forms and checks.