Oh boy! Another attempt to make a meaningful comparison of what is one of the most subjective topics around. So many variables...almost limitless combinations...so few real facts...
At least this "report" admits to being a "printing thought experiment." I find it a bit strange to compare such a cheap inkjet with practically anything else, but especially a $1,000+ laser.
We always print black & white documents on the laser, often in "toner saver" mode. Images are another matter, of course. Most laser printers have only about 16 shades of grey when using the black toner. Regardless of the "resolution." Finer particles can make the differentiation difficult to see, but it's still there, 'dithering' is all that's done.
Color lasers are probably constrained by the same lack of differentiation in shades, I have no knowledge of that, never seen a good laser color test page. I'm sure that multi-toner colors would be a benefit, just as they are with inkjets. Six color (plus black) ink carts are the minimum for higher quality prints, as far as I know. Generally, the higher the number of colors available, the better the color rendering. Probably be the same for lasers.
I think the laser printing speed will be limited by the amount of heat that can safely be supplied. Perhaps that may change when metallic 'papers' are used!
Paper thickness is just as important in a laser as it is in inkjets, but for different reasons. It's that "heat" thing, again.
Hopefully, color laser technology will soon reach the same capabilities as inkjets...and new toner suppliers will emerge to supply reasonably priced toner as has happened in inkjets. I'm just not sure that the extremely fine toner will be as easily transferred and the liquids.
And, when it comes down to the costs or a page, the ink/toner is the one variable that the user can control quite easily, at least on the inkjet side.
