A laser printer is a type of printer that utilizes a laser beam to produce an image on a drum. The light of the laser alters the electrical charge on the drum wherever it hits. The drum is then rolled through a reservoir of toner, which is picked up by the charged portions of the drum. Finally, the toner is transferred to paper through a combination of heat and pressure.

Laser toner cartridges are used to deliver toner during the print cycle of a color or monochrome laser printer. Since toner is a consumable resource, it must be packaged in cartridge form, allowing easy replacement when toner levels have been depleted. Toner cartridges are complex devices which contain many components. One primary difference between toner cartridges can be the number of components included in the cartridge. For example, some toner cartridges actually contain the drum unit that is used to transfer the image. Clearly, these cartridges will be more expensive than cartridges containing fewer components.

Toner cartridges can be contrasted with other print delivery technologies, like Xerox ink. Solid ink technology does not require a cartridge for delivery, since the ink can be placed directly into a permanent reservoir located inside the printer. Some companies, such as Ink Technologies , specialize in providing compatible ink to the consumable market.

Dell toner cartridges typically do not contain the drum unit. Dell uses a different business model than other printer manufacturers, since they do not actually manufacture their own printers and toner cartridges. This can be contrasted with companies like HP, who specializes in developing their own branded printers and HP toner.

Another way that Dell differs from their competitors is that they control the sale of Dell toner cartridges, in order to cut out the supply chain and improve profit margins. That is why many consumers prefer to purchase Dell consumables at online stores like Ink Technologies, which typically offers compatible or remanufactured alternatives to Dell laser toner at a 60% – 80% discount over brand name products.