Laser printers use toner (powder based), a method with a long life span that prints sharp images at a fast rate. However, it is more expensive, bigger, heavier, non refillable, and uses more power. It's good for home offices, since it offers better quality on documents.

 Inkjet printer uses ink (liquid based). Though slower than a laser printer, it has the lower cost, and is refillable. It has a greater colour range and this makes it ideal for images, and it's still fine for documents as well.

A compatible cartridge is a brand new cartridge that's built by a third party supplier. Buying a compatible cartridge is like buying  the 'no name' version of the original brand. They will function the same way as the original, with a cheaper price tag.  Save your money by buying compatible toner/ink cartridges at Hanns Photo Video.