Computers are expensive to start with and essential computer consumables are also expensive. When you get a computer, either a desk top model or a laptop, and you want to produce hard copy documents, then you will need, a printer, ink cartridge and computer paper. The advent of wireless technology may also mean that you need a separate media card, especially if you are working away from home or from your regular office.

What type of ink cartridges you'll need depends very much on which model printer you are using. If you have an ink jet printer then you'll need ink cartridges, and if you have a laser printer, then you will need toner cartridges. Just as there are different printers so there are different types of paper.

The type and weight of computer paper that you use will also vary depending on the printer you have and what you want to print, if you want to print photographs for example, then you will need specially designed photo paper.

Until a few years ago, if your ink cartridge was empty, you would have no choice but to buy another one, which would have set you back at least $40. Now, it's a lot easier to get cheap ink cartridges and cheap ink refills.

You have to make sure that you buy compatible cartridges for your machine, and you should also note that not all cartridges are refillable. Once you get into using your computer you'll also find that there are a whole host of other computer consumables that you will need. Some computers no longer have a floppy disk drive as people tend to store data on cds and on portable pin drives.

At one time you could only get black ink cartridges, but increasingly printers now have the capacity to print both black and white and color printed documents. Not all printers use the same type of computer ink cartridges, if you have an inkjet or an Epson printer, then you will need to buy the type of cartridges that are designed to be used with those particular printers.

It works out a lot cheaper if you use the type of cartridges for which you can buy ink refills - generally speaking, refills cost less than half the price of the original ink cartridge; if you do a lot of printing, then that will save you quite a lot of money. Businesses in particular need printers that use refillable ink cartridges, although things are usually cheaper when you buy them in bulk, it's still a lot cheaper to buy printer ink cartridge refills, rather than having to buy the whole cartridge each time.

Laser printers produce a different quality of text and images to those that you get from an inkjet printer. If you use a laser printer then it's possible to save money on the ink that you use by buying remanufactured toner cartridges, as these are often cheaper than the original toner cartridge.

If you want to print copies of photographs that look no different to the original, then you will need a laser printer, as inkjet printers don't produce such a clear image, and photo paper.

If you use a computer on a regular basis then you will know that there are many different types of consumables that you can get. Although you may need other consumables from time to time, most computer users will tell you that the most regular, consumable expense is that for paper and printer ink.