Disadvantages of laser color printers
Disadvantages of laser color printers

An increasing number of homes and offices are now opting for laser color printers, owing to the efficiency in printing and the speed of printing it offers. Printers are important for any business, be it small scale or large scale. There are several other benefits of owning laser color printers. However, it is an important investment for your home or office and one should always make an informed choice – knowing all the advantages and more importantly the disadvantages of the same.

Here are the disadvantages of a laser color printer that you should aware of before investing in one.

Cost of the device

The cost of a laser color printer is higher than inkjet ones. So you need to consider your budget before investing in one. These cost more as they offer a number of advanced and efficient features.

Maintenance costs

The cost of the refills for toner cartridges for a laser color printer cost more than the toner refills for other categories of printers. However, the cartridges for the laser color printer do not need to be replaced as often as an inkjet printer or any other kind of printer. For example, the HP ink used in the company’s toner refills can last for a long time and print large volumes before running out.

Warming time

Laser color printers need time to warm up before they start printing. This feature may sometimes warm the room as well especially if it’s a small room. This reason is why a laser color printer may not suitable in places that are already too warm.

Difficulty in moving around

Laser color printers are mostly heavy and can be quite difficult to move around, not an ideal choice if you need a portable printer like a portable inkjet printer.

Before you set out shopping for your printer, understand your printing needs and budget to help you choose the right device. The cons of a laser color printer are way less than the benefits it offers in comparison to other printers. These cons may or may not be an issue for many.

  • 10 tips to getting the best car lease deals

    Leasing a car seems lucrative because the monthly payout is lesser than when you finance your new car. Moreover, your down payment is less, and the leased vehicle is typically protected by a warranty from the manufacturer. These are just a few of the many benefits of car leasing. To make this alternative even more worthwhile, you need to consider some tips and tricks to secure the best car leasing deals that help you save some money.

    Here are the top 10 tips to get the best car leasing deals

    • Try to negotiate on aspects such as down payment, mileage limit, and the post lease expiry purchase price. Leasing works similar to getting a loan. So, the higher your down payment, the lesser financing charges you would need to bear.
    • Try to negotiate on the money factor. This is the number that most lessors use to calculate the cost of leasing, i.e., an interest that you have to bear per month.
    • If guaranteed auto protection does not come with your lease, buy it. It is an insurance protection plan that will protect you if the car faces an accident or is stolen.
    • To ensure that the monthly payout is as little as possible, try to opt for cars that do not depreciate at a rate higher than average. You can refer to the Consumer Reports’ owner-cost Ratings in the model pages for detailed information on depreciation.
    • Dig into the details about the ongoing purchase price of the vehicle, just as you would if you were to finance the same car. After locking in on a price, you should start looking for leasing deals. After all, leasing too is a type of financing.
    • Do not opt for leases that extend for a period beyond the factory warranty of the car. We recommend so because this warranty is the most lucrative aspect of car leasing.
    • Ask upfront about any mandatory conditions or fees after the term of the lease. For instance, there are a few car leasing agents who will ask you to return the car only with tires that look fairly new. Ensure that all the policies are clear and fair to you right from the start.
    • If you think that you might need additional car miles, buy them beforehand. Have a clause in the deal that states that you can get the money back for the unused miles. Any overage of mileage will attract an increased rate.
    • Ensure that the trade-in has been reduced from the capitalized cost of the leased vehicle, if applicable.
    • For those planning to buy the vehicle post the expiry of the lease, do ensure that the car is worth its purchase price. If yours is a sub-vented lease, the possibility of this is almost zero. In case the worth of the car is lower than its buyout price, you can always try negotiating with the leasing agent. If he/she doesn’t nudge, we recommend walking away from the purchase.

    To sum up, leasing is certainly not the ideal alternative for everyone. However, for customers who enjoy driving a new car every few years, this could be a great option. Do research and compare the different car leasing deals available in the market and negotiate as much as possible to save some money.

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  • 5 decorative bowls to improve your home décor

    Simple, functional bowls are usually used for storing items and serving dishes. However, now you can choose from a wide selection of unique decorative bowls that will be perfect for adding to your interiors. These bowls can be used as centerpieces. They can also be useful in brightening your décor, display, and storing various things.

    A few decorative bowls that can easily amp up your home interiors include:

    Blue Glass Decorative Bowl by Highland Dunes
    This luxurious glass bowl boasts a unique design that will definitely catch the eye of your house guests. Made of hand-blown glass, this unique decorative bowl can certainly prove to be a good addition to your home.

    Tipton Pearl Large Decorative Bowl by Highland Dunes
    This is a charming decorative bowl, hand-painted to perfection. The top surface at the back of this bowl is made of genuine glass. The bowl has been double-fired, so it has maximum resistance. However, make sure to avoid keeping it in an oven or microwave and only wash it by hand.

    Alabaster Decorative Bowl by Mariposa
    This alluring glass bowl is bound to make you take a second look due to its opulent matte colors swirling around it. Made of glass, this bowl can only be hand-washed.

    Turquoise Glass Decorative Bowl by OK Lighting
    Made of strong glass, this bowl makes for a luxurious centerpiece. It can be easily cleaned and maintained. This unique decorative bowl will serve the purpose of a showpiece while acting as a good storage option for small, essential items like your keys.

    Alsey Glass Decorative Bowl by Orren Ellis
    This stylish yellow and violet colored bowl is of premium quality and can be an excellent decorative piece. It is a result of ancient glass-blowing techniques and new contemporary designs. A distinguishing factor about this bowl is that no two bowls of this kind are exactly the same. Every bowl will show some variation in its color or size. While purchasing it, you will also notice that it is signed by glass master Michele Luzoro and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

    These bowls will grab your attention due to their unique designs and style. Moreover, they help display and store various items around your house. The size and shape of a bowl can help you determine its use.

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  • Here’s how you can get free baby product samples!

    Utilizing free baby product samples is not just a great way to save money but it is also an excellent way to test new products in the market. But for this to work, you need to know when and how to obtain good quality free stuff.
    Here are some handy tips for you to avail excellent free baby product samples.

    • Almost all diaper companies offer reward points or programs for their customers. If you have a preferred brand or two, you can check for free samples on their websites or social media pages. You can also sign up for mailing lists of these companies to avail free samples or try new product offerings.

    • Check out deals on coupon websites to snag some that provide free baby product samples. You can use these coupons in various online or brick and mortar stores. Most coupons offer discount deals but with some research you can find a few that give out free samples.

    • Browse through online retail stores for deals on baby products. These e-commerce companies offer everything from deep discounts on baby products to free samples for new launches. Big e-commerce stores or companies exclusively making or selling baby products have programs where customers can sign up for free gifts for expectant mothers or welcome packages for baby gifts. This is a fantastic way to try new baby products or exclusive items.

    • Another common product for babies in terms free samples is formula. Big box retail stores or warehouses constantly launch new products or offer promotional sale on previously-available items. These can be excellent places to score free formula samples without having to waste money on new launches and then finding them completely useless. There are also companies who send you free baby product samples if you create a baby registry with them.

    • Many companies selling baby products give out free samples to bloggers and reviewers. If you are one or know one, you can easily avail these free baby product samples. Companies also love to try new products by giving samples to moms. For instance, if there is a toy company you like, you can check out their website to find out any available programs for getting free toy samples.

    Don’t be shy when signing up with companies for free baby product samples. Offering free samples is way for companies to promote their products in a more organic way. They can reach to direct consumers and ask for their feedback on the products. Availing free baby product samples is not only an option when you are on a tight budget. When you want to try exclusive or unique items, free samples are the way to do so without spending a fortune on something you might not even like.

    Like everything else, begin with thorough research for good deals to find free baby product samples. If you are new to this, you will soon find out that trying brand new launches through free samples can be a really fun thing.
    Final word count: 510

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  • 4 simple-to-use cell phones for seniors

    In a world of ever-changing technology, senior citizens can sometimes feel like a fish out of water. This is because they aren’t used to the latest technology and prefer the old school and simple way out. In fact, many senior citizens struggle with the latest handsets and take a lot of time to learn how to use them well. Due to this, a lot of them prefer using a simple mobile phone that is good for basic functions like calling and texting.

    Keeping this in mind, the market sells not just AARP cell phones for seniors but also some other handset brands that are simple and hassle-free. A few of these are:

    • Consumer Cellular: This service provider offers Doro handsets that have large buttons, a well-lit display, and impeccably clear sound for just about USD 25. This carrier provides AARP cell phones for seniors at discounted rates where calling plans are offered at the rate of just 24 cents per minute. Or, you could also opt for a USD 19 plan per month that gets you 300 minutes. This also includes a fee of USD 35 as a one-time activation fee and a USD 9.50 service fee per month.
    • Just5: Although this pricey handset at USD 90 doesn’t come under the gamut of AARP cell phones for seniors, the service plans it offers are as low as USD 10 for a whole 100 minutes of talk time, with 50 free text messages and a zero activation fee.
    • Great Call: This service provider sells Jitterbug AARP cell phones for seniors at about USD 40, and its calling plans cost about USD 15 for 50 minutes, with a USD 35 charge as an activation fee.
    • TracFone: Here consumers are provided with Samsung T155G handsets costing USD 15 that come with easy-to-use features. Their cellular plans start at about USD 20 per month, with 125 cell phone minutes. Here, customers are not charged an activation fee or a cancellation fee if they wish to opt out of their plan.

    All of these handsets come with big buttons and features that are senior citizen friendly, thus, simplifying their lives.

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  • Common joint conditions and their symptoms and risk factors

    Joint conditions are commonly associated with increasing age, but they can also be a result of injuries or may develop due to other medical conditions affecting bone and joint health. Arthritis, a commonly diagnosed joint condition, has over 200 types. Depending on the severity of the disease, these conditions can also affect a patient’s quality of life.

    Read on to know the symptoms, causes, and factors that increase one’s risk of developing joint conditions.

    Symptoms of joint conditions
    The following are some of the symptoms that most joint conditions are accompanied by:

    • Joint stiffness
    • Weakness in the joints
    • Inflammation, swelling, and redness of the affected joint
    • Limping due to pain and stiffness
    • Joint getting locked
    • Tearing of the cartilage

    Commonly-diagnosed joint conditions and their causes

    • Osteoarthritis
      This form of arthritis involves the wear-and-tear of the joint’s cartilage, which means the risk of developing this disease elevates with age. The cartilage plays the role of a cushion between the bones in order to prevent friction that can cause damage. Damaged cartilage due to this condition results in the bones losing their protection and clashing, causing pain and restricting movement and flexibility. This usually occurs gradually, but it can also develop suddenly in the case of an infection or injury. Although any joint can be affected in the case of osteoarthritis, it mostly affects the hips, lower back, hands, or knees and may worsen over time.
    • Rheumatoid arthritis
      Rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects the joints, but it can also damage the eyes, lungs, blood vessels, heart, and skin. It is an autoimmune disorder that leads to the immune system attacking the healthy tissues. This causes swelling in the affected joint, which can also result in deformity and bone erosion.

    Factors that increase the risk of joint conditions

    • Weight
      Being overweight or obese puts excess pressure on the joints and particularly exerts pressure on the spine, hips, and knees. So, it’s important to follow a balanced diet and lead a physically active lifestyle to stay in good shape and reduce the risk of joint pains.
    • Previous joint injury flaring up
      If one has injured a joint in the past, there is a high risk of joint discomfort in the same joint. To prevent this, it is important to treat the joints very carefully and take measures to improve bone health, especially for people with a previous joint injury or susceptible to developing joint conditions.
    • Age
      With advancing age, a person becomes more susceptible to health problems, including joint conditions as the body weakens and bone density reduces.
    • Family history of joint conditions
      Joint conditions may run in the family, so one should undergo regular checkups, especially if one of their family members is suffering from a joint condition. One can also approach a doctor and a nutritionist for advice on how to prevent specific joint conditions by incorporating dietary and lifestyle changes.

    By understanding the symptoms, causes, and risk factors associated with joint conditions, it is advisable to take proactive preventive measures to keep them at bay.

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  • How does drug rehab happen?

    There are many inpatient drug rehab centers in Chicago that help in getting those ravaged by drug overuse to resume their normal lives. There are different kinds of treatment pursued by these centers and each of these treatments addresses a specific problem.

    Most of these inpatient drug rehab centers in Chicago offer a comprehensive solution to the drug problems faced by your teen. They try to understand the behavioral, emotional, developmental, psychological and other factors before yanking the patient out of his drug overuse habit. A good drug rehab center also tries to understand the social, cultural and familial values of the patient while treating him for substance abuse.

    A good drug rehab program takes the patient through the following steps during his stay in the center. A set of goals is also agreed upon by the patient, his family and the rehab authorities.The duration of his stay is dependent upon his achievement of those goals. These steps are:
    Admission by the patient that he/ she had no control over his/ her addiction. Acceptance by the patient of the fact that a stronger power is needed by him to overcome his drug problem. Submitting to this stronger power (also called God) for coming out of this man-made problem of drug overuse. Doing a deep analysis about oneself and identifying the weaknesses and shortcomings. The rest of the steps involve taking help from God in ridding oneself from drug overuse.

    While the above-mentioned steps are spiritual in orientation, many drug rehab clinics also use more practical and verifiable steps such as:
    Assessment- When a patient first walks inside a drug rehab, he is formally interviewed by a team of doctors, psychologists and other support staff. The patient is asked questions about his family, medical history, social environment etc. to get a firm idea about his drug related problems. The patient will also be asked questions as to when he started taking drugs.
    The first instinct of many patients is to lie at this stage and not be upfront on their medical history but it is always better to be as honest as possible during the assessment stage. Answers to all these questions are kept private and their truthfulness helps in the authorities determine the best course of treatment.

    Detoxification- Contrary to popular belief, detox does not completely rid you of drugs but assists you on the path of recovery. Detoxification may take a few days or last for a few weeks. In many drug rehab centers, detoxification is accompanied by medication to make this process less painful. There is certified detox expert who assists the patient through the process of detoxification.

    Rehabilitation and Aftercare- These two processes are the most critical ones in the entire rehab process. Once the patient cleans himself up from the drugs, he is coached and counselled by a team of specialists to lead a better and drug-free life.

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  • Beef on a budget, the benefits of slow cooking

    Slow cooking is a technique where the recipe calls for all the ingredients to be cooked for a longer duration. This ensures maximum flavor retention and is particularly effective for those cuts of meat, which are otherwise cooked in an oven or roasted on a grill. This technique mainly uses a liquid base, normally chicken stock and vegetable broth to tenderize the meat and make the flavors stand out. Slow cooking requires minimal supervision and reduces the risk of burning your ingredients. The main advantage is that the slow braise allows the flavors to develop over time.

    Here are a few different recipes to make slow cooker pot roast on a tight budget.

    Crockpot roast beef: The crock pot, an essential tool for creating some of the best slow cooker recipes also alternatively known as Crockpot recipes. Ingredients featured in this dish is the 2lb chuck roast beef cut, ideal for a slow braise. The liquid base can be chicken stock or also can be alternatively prepared using a beef bouillon cube mixed in hot water. Vegetables like carrots, potatoes, onions absorb the liquid over the time of cooking and compliment the beef cut well. Garlic and other seasoning to top off the dish which can easily serve for a family of 4-6 members. The cost of all the ingredients combined will not go over $5 total.

    Roasted chicken with garlic: Chicken is an all-time favorite. It is inexpensive, easy to prepare and does not require a lot of effort. This recipe does not call for more than three main ingredients to serve a wholesome family meal. Slow cooked in a chicken broth, with butter and minced garlic, seasoned with paprika, salt and pepper to be slowly cooked for 8 hours.

    Vegetarian lasagna: Slow cooker recipes are not necessarily reserved for the meat eaters only. There are many vegetarian recipes which can also be prepared. The lasagna is a versatile dish, which combines veggies in between layers of pasta and slow cooked to retain maximum flavor. Veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, tomatoes, spinach, and many others chopped or diced complement the pasta well. Finally topped with delicious mozzarella cheese, this recipe can be prepared in a budget and is a pretty decent alternative to the oven baked lasagna.

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  • Here’s what you must know about age-specific PSA levels

    Prostate-specific antigen or PSA is a glycoprotein that is produced in the prostate gland to retain the liquid form of the seminal fluid and aid sperm movement. While PSA typically stays in the prostate ducts, a small portion may leak into the bloodstream; this allows experts to detect prostate diseases such as cancer. Since several factors affect PSA levels, doctors can utilize factors like age and conduct age-specific PSA levels to determine if further screening for cancer must be conducted. This method was devised a few decades ago to estimate abnormal PSA levels and correlate it with age-specific ranges.

    Since prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancers to affect men, it became essential to detect prostate abnormalities proactively. Most experts conduct age-specific PSA levels tests along with a digital rectal exam to determine the presence of cancer. This is especially beneficial in men over the age of 50 who may be at the highest risk of developing prostate diseases. In an age-specific PSA levels examination, the result of 4 nanogram/milliliter (ng/ml) of blood is considered to be abnormal. Patients with these results must be prompt to get additional screenings done at the right time. While escalated PSA levels are abnormal and indicate prostate cancer, chances are that a man with PSA levels below 4ng/ml may have prostate cancer. PSA levels are known to vary throughout the course of a man’s life; therefore, age-specific PSA levels have various reference points for all age groups. According to these reference levels, a PSA level that is greater than 2.5 ng/ml is abnormal for men up to the age of 49. Similarly, for men between the ages of 50 and 59, the PSA levels that are greater than or equal to 3.5 ng/ml may indicate cancer. Men who are 60 or older should, therefore, be tested for cancer if their PSA levels are equal to or greater than 4 ng/ml.

    Since prostate cancer, quite like other cancer types, do not show apparent symptoms in its infancy, an age-related PSA level test can increase the chances of detecting cancer in younger men. The method is highly effective in successful cancer diagnosis and treatment. Many experts suggest that the invention of an age-specific PSA level has dramatically lowered the occurrence of advanced stage cancer. While the age-specific PSA testing proves helpful in nipping the problem at the bud, several other reference ranges of PSA may also prove fruitful. Apart from age, for instance, certain races, ethnicities, and geographical differences may be susceptible to prostate cancer. Since relying only on an isolated age-specific PSA level reference may not be appropriate, several researchers are developing newer ways to effectively detect cancer based on underlying diseases, races, and lifestyles along with age groups.

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