Laser vs LED: What Is the Difference?

Laser printers and LED printers are often grouped together when speaking in broad categories, though they are different technologies. They both use static electricity applied to a drum, which helps adhere toner with heat to create an image. The main difference is how the static charge is applied.

Laser: A laser printer uses a single laser beam aimed at a revolving mirror that reflects the beam through a series of lenses and finally to an image drum. When the laser reaches the rotating imaging drum, it creates a static charge that attracts toner to it, which is then transferred to the page. The laser scans across the page in sequence, emitting thousands of light bursts per second.



LED (Light Emitting Diode): An LED printer, on the other hand, uses an array of tiny LED lights that light up at different times to create the static charge. Since the lights span the entire width of the drum, an LED printer requires fewer moving parts.



WHY IS LED THE ‘PRO CHOICE’?
LEDs are more efficient and reliable than conventional laser printers as they have no moving parts (second image). Given the number of moving parts, laser printers can be costly and time-consuming to repair - a problem Oki Data customers do not face as OKI’s toner-based printers use LED technology.

The digital LED light source further allows higher print speeds at higher resolutions than traditional laser light sources. Laser systems rely on elaborate combinations of rotating mirrors and lenses that must remain in alignment throughout their use. The laser scans from one end of a line to another, then starts on the next line. Unlike laser printers, an LED printhead has no moving parts. Additionally, OKI has a straight-line paper path less susceptible to jams when feeding heavy stock, envelopes or labels.

WHAT ABOUT CONSISTENCY?

With an LED printer, page one will look exactly the same as page 500. A product of engineering, laser printers cannot produce the same consistency. LED printers promise the same sharpness and clarity print after print.

WHY GO LED?
• Excellent Print Quality
• Higher Reliability and Lasting Performance with No Moving Part Technology
• Higher Print Speeds at Higher Resolutions
• Higher Print Quality Finish
• Higher Accuracy
• Maximize your Workspace - More Compact Size Also Means Using Less Raw Materials
• Low Maintenance
• Long Printhead Life (LEDs) with High Energy Efficiency
• Amazing Color

*OKI is so confident in the reliability of the LEDs  that a 5-year warranty is provided.

For more information, please see: http://www.okidata.com/mkt/html/nf/LEDvsLaser.html

For a video visual, please see: http://www.okidata.com/mkt/html/nf/LEDvsLaser_Flash.html