Posts tagged as:

New printers

Five New Printers in 2009

by Rich on October 15, 2009

Each year plenty of printers are released to the consumer market, creating even more options for those shopping for a new machine. In 2009, there were a few standouts. Read on to find options for each price point with a variety of different features.

HP Photosmart A636

For a practical and affordable option, take a look at the HP Photosmart A636. Unlike a lot of reasonably priced printers, this one offers an attractive design that does not look like a printer from a decade ago. It offers improved photo prints and editing features that do not require the use of the computer. This is a fantastic option for those interested in printing their own pictures without the help of a photo developing service. It features a large touch screen so it is easy to work with, even if your eyes and fingers are not ideal for tedious computer work. It is an inkjet printer and retails for around £90. Some report it is slower than average, but if you are patient and in need of quality photo prints, it is a great option.

Canon Pixma MP630

Those in search of a printer that is great for photo printing but does so at a higher speed, may want to consider the Canon Pixma MP630. It can print up to 4-5 pages of text per minute, and it looks just as stylish and modern as the HP printer. It retails for around £155.

The Samsung CLP 315W is a laser printer that is very affordable for home and small business users. It is sleek and black, and offers laser printing for an inkjet price. Some feel the printing speed is slow, but for the laser sharp quality, it is worth the wait. This printer retails for around £150, which is very reasonable for a quality laser printer.

Samsung CLP 315W

Those looking for workhorse printers should consider one of the newer Epson products. Both the Epson Workforce 610 and 1100 retail for around £120. The 610 is an all-in-one printer that features a 63.5 mm LCD screen. It can print 38 pages per minute for black and white inkjet images, and 15 pages per minute of laser quality images. The 1100 is very comparable to the 610, but it operates at an improved speed. You can print about 17 pages per minute in laser quality print.

Epson Workforce 610

Finally, for those who need to be the first on their block with the most updated and cutting edge technology, Dimension Printing is now offering the Personal 3-D Printer. This prints “model-like” 3-D materials. This is a relatively small machine at 635X660 mm, considering what it is capable of. It comes in a variety of colors, which may remind many of the colors Apple uses in their line of computers and laptops. This machine enables users to create a 2 dimensional image on screen and print it into an actual 3-D object, allowing users to create 3-D objects from their ideas on screen. As amazing as it is, this printer does not come cheap. The suggested retail price is right around £9,000.

Regardless of whether you are an avid scrapbooker or a highly technical graphic designer, there is a new printer on the market for you. Take a look around and decide if it is time for an upgrade.

{ 0 comments }

Read More...

Buying a New Printer: Six Things to Consider

by Rich on February 18, 2009

If you’re buying a new printer, you have a great opportunity to start over with a machine that’s better suited to your needs—and your budget.  But it’s not always easy to find the right machine for you—and with the way manufacturers charge for ink and other peripherals, a great deal isn’t always as great as it seems once you factor in the ink cartridges.  Here are a few factors to consider when buying a new printer to ensure you get the best deal on the best machine.

Your budget. Inkjet printers and laser printers are sold under different business models. Manufacturers sell inkjet printers cheaply, then make money when customers return to buy overpriced ink. Laser printers cost more up front, but they tend to be more economical over time.  A laser printer’s toner cartridge may be able to print up to 8,000 pages before it runs out. Compare that to an inkjet printer, which might print as little as 200 pages before the cartridges run dry.

The type of printing you’re doing.  Printers nowadays can be highly specialized to a certain type of use.  If you’re planning to print a lot of family photos, you’ll need a different type of printer than if you’re planning on printing mostly business documents in black and white or brochures for your home business.  If you need colour printing, a colour inkjet is probably your best bet unless you have the budget for a colour laser.  Black-and-white printing can often be done more economically on a laser printer.

The amount of printing you’re doing.  Studies have shown that laser printers are much more economical when printing in volume—if you’re probably going ot print more than 100 pages per month, a laser printer may be a better bet for you in the long term even though they cost more up front. An inkjet printer is typically cheaper, but the cost in ink is much higher.  Still, these can be good machines for more limited printing.

The space you have available.  Printers come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny personal use machines to husky business printers designed for high-volume use and more complex graphics.  If you have a small area for your printer, you may be limited in the type of printer you can buy.  If space is an issue, go to the store with measurements in hand to make sure you get a machine that fits your space.

Your computer.  Most printers work with both Macs and PC’s.  But some aren’t readily compatible with certain operating systems—Linux, for example, requires specialized drivers that can be hard to find.  In addition, some printers only connect to computers via a USB port—which not all computers come equipped with.  If your computer doesn’t have a USB, look for a printer that connects via a parallel port.

The cartridge situation.  When considering budget, most people don’t factor in the cost of consumables—especially printer ink cartridges.  But many inkjet manufacturers design their business models so that the bulk of their profit is made from cartridge sales.  Original cartridges can be overpriced, and they also often come equipped with technology that ensures you use up the cartridge faster.

To make sure you’re getting the best deal, first take a look at the cost of cartridges and factor that into the cost of the printer.  You may find that cheap printer has some hidden expenses.  Ask the salesperson how many pages the cartridges can print before they run out—a cheap cartridge may only have a few hundred pages in it, making it more expensive than you realize.

Avoid printers that have three-in-one cartridges—these make you replace the cartridge when just one colour is empty, resulting in a lot of wasted ink.  And if you can, avoid cartridges with Smart Chips—these often make you replace cartridges after a certain expiration date or before you’ve run out of ink entirely. Last, check the availability of third-party remanufactured and recycled cartridges.  The more widely available these are for your brand, the more likely you’ll be able to save money by buying generic cartridges.

Finding the right printer takes time—and you’ll often have to look beyond the sticker price to figure out whether or not you’re really getting the best deal.  But a little research can go a long way, and in the end you’ll find the time you spent is worth it.

{ 3 comments }

Read More...