There was little market for printing photographs on the crude laser printers of the 1980's. In the 1990's, print speed was what laser companies wanted to improve. It was not until about 1998 that color laser printers could seriously compete with ink jets in picture quality for photographs. This slowness in improving laser printer technology was again because laser printers are for business offices.
Color there means pie charts and bar charts more than photographs.
Now that people in graphic design and photo studios are using color laser printers the market is demanding improved quality in color photographs. The 1200x1200 dpi technology is notably superior to the older 600x600 dpi. Be wary, however, of simulated 1200 dpi, or enhanced print modes that claim 1200 dpi. I personally use the Tally T8204 color laser printer and am content with how it reproduces my full-page color photographs. Fortunately that model was eventually retired from the marketplace.