You finally decided to indulge yourself and buy the gorgeous new laser printer that you have been eying for weeks. It's slim, quick, and spits out the most beautiful, high quality prints you've ever seen. You now understand why your coworkers laughed at you all these years for using an inkjet printer. However, after a few weeks of blissful use, you are confronted with a serious decision. Your printer is out of toner, and your workload is so heavy that you must replace it immediately. Do you choose the inexpensive off-brand, or go with the expensive one you know and trust? What's the difference, anyway?

Before you choose, you should know exactly what you're dealing with. If you hear a salesperson talking about an OEM cartridge, they are referring to an original equipment manufacturer. For example, if you owned a printer by a specific company, and you bought a cartridge manufactured by that same company, you would have an OEM cartridge. These cartridges are a popular choice because you know that they will work as they are supposed to, and you don't have to deal with any hassles. The only bad thing that could happen is that you chose the wrong model and you exchange it at the store for the correct one. The only downside is that they are often the most expensive option.

Your second option is a cartridge made by a different manufacturer but specifically for your printer. The toner inside is just as good and just as usable as what is inside an OEM cartridge. They work just as well but cost a fraction of the price. You should make sure to use your best judgment when buying a compatible cartridge; if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Have you ever wondered what happens to your toner cartridges when you drop them off to be recycled? There are two possibilities: because they do not biodegrade, they can either be reused or sent to sit in a landfill for eternity. Re-manufactured cartridges make good use of these empty cartridges; the parts are replaced and they are filled with toner and ready for use once again. These types of cartridges are the most environmentally friendly, and they won't cost you a pretty penny.

So which type of cartridge should you choose? If your business demands that you have thousands of images and documents at your fingertips every single day, I would recommend that you take no chances and invest in OEM cartridges. If your printer is not a central part of your business, save yourself a few dollars and buy a compatible or re-manufactured brand of cartridge. The quality is similar, but it all depends on what you are comfortable with. Regardless of what you choose, you're likely to love the results that your new laser printer produces.