How do I sort out the specs?

When evaluating printers, the first thing you're likely to see is a long list of specifications chock-full of acronyms such as dpi and ppm. Not only are all these specs confusing, they often have little or no bearing on the performance you'll actually get in the real world. Here's how to keep it all straight.

Required specs: Resolution | Print speeds | Connectivity | 
Processor and memory | Paper handling

Resolution

One of the most widely used specifications, the resolution refers to the maximum number of dots per inch (dpi) that can be printed, measured both horizontally and vertically. For example, a 600x600dpi laser printer lays down a one-inch square composed of 600 dots across by 600 dots down. In theory, a printer with a higher resolution is capable of producing more-detailed text and images, as seen in this representation:
[pic]

However, manufacturers have inflated the numbers for marketing purposes, and the numbers no longer correlate directly with higher image quality. The number of colors, the types of ink or toner, and the method by which they are transferred to the paper, as well as the paper that's used all have a major impact on image quality.

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