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Just as CRTs have been the traditional way of viewing information,
the printer has been the vehicle of providing a hard or paper copy of
that information. The past two decades have seen a migration of technologies
from dot matrix and daisy wheel to inkjet and laser. Here are some of
today's popular products.
Inkjet Technology
Connectivity
Inkjet printers can be connected to your PC in
the following ways:
Parallel cable
USB cable
Wireless
Network Print Server
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Inkjet printers today come in a multitude of sizes, capabilities
and price ranges. They are primarily used for text printing with the
additional duty of printing color output. Images are created through
inkjet cartridges and can range from 3 to 6 colors.
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Inkjet printers today come in a multitude
of sizes, capabilities and price ranges. They are primarily
used for text printing with the additional duty of printing
color output. Images are created through inkjet cartridges and
can range from 3 to 6 colors.
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Key Features to Look For
Here are some of the attributes you should research when comparing
printers. Typically, the higher the spec value, the better the quality
and also the higher the cost of the printer will be.
Print Resolution
The majority of inkjets will print a minimum of 600 dots per
inch in black, with some reaching 1200dpi. For color printing, specs
will range from 600x300 to 4800x1200.
Print Speed
Printers will have ratings for draft, normal, and best print
qualities. Advertising blurbs usually use draft printing speeds,
as they look the most impressive. Draft Print speeds for black will
range from 5 to 21 pages per minute (ppm). Color output can range
from 2 to 18 ppm.
Paper Handling
Majority of the printers can print to a maximum paper size
of 8 by 14 inches, although some professional models can handle
up to 13 by 19 inches. Besides regular paper, most printers can
print on card stock, envelopes, transparencies and iron-on transfers.
Number of Print Colors
Typical printers will have between 3 and 7 print colors. The
early models of inkjets have been the 3-ink variety and their colors
included cyan, magenta and yellow. When all three colors are mixed
together, they form black. The main disadvantage of 3-ink printers
is that you did not get a true black; it was more of a very dark
green that did not give true color representation. As well, anytime
you wanted to print regular text, all three colors had to be used
which made it more expensive to print.
A 4-ink printer adds a separate black cartridge that compensates
for the disadvantages of the 3-ink models.
A 7-ink printer adds a separate light cyan, a light magenta
and a light black cartridge that allows for almost unlimited color
combinations.
Number of Print Trays
Having multiple print trays allows you to have more than one
size or color of paper available without needing to switch midway
in your print job. The majority of printers will have a single tray,
while professional models will have 2 or 3 trays.
Laser Technology
Connectivity
Laser printers can be connected to your PC in
the following ways:
Parallel cable
USB cable
Wireless
Network Print Server
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Laser printers have become more affordable
for the home and small office with capabilities that are outstanding.
Although both black and color laser printers are available,
we will look only at the black as color lasers are cost prohibitive.
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Key Features to Look For
Here are some of the attributes you should research when comparing
laser printers.
Print Resolution
Personal Lasers will print at 600 dpi while Office Lasers will
print at 1200 to 2400 dpi.
Print Speed
Laser printers are usually rated at the best print quality.
Personal printers can print at from 10 to 15ppm while office printers
will print up to 50ppm.
Paper Handling
The majority of printers can print to a maximum paper size
of 8 by 14 inches, although some professional models can handle
up to 13 by 19 inches. Besides regular paper, most printers can
print on card stock, envelopes, and transparencies.
Number of Print Trays
Having multiple print trays allows you to have more than one
size or color of paper available without needing to switch midway
in your print job. Personal printers will have a single tray while
Office printers will have between 2 and 4.
Duplex Printing
Duplex printing allows you to print on both sides of the paper
without manual intervention. This feature is usually an option on
most Office printers.
Photo-quality Printers
Connectivity
Photo-quality printers can be connected to your
PC in the following ways:
Parallel cable
USB cable
Firewire IEEE 1394 cable
Network Print Server
Memory Cards
(PC or camera not required)
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Photo-quality printers are a new category in the printer
field. They are essentially color inkjet printers with unique capabilities
for photographic applications.
Key Features to Look For
Here are some of the attributes you should research when you
compare photo-quality printers.
Print Resolution
Photo-quality printers are designed for maximum resolution
of 4800 x 1200 dpi.
Paper Handling
Some printers are designed to print only borderless 4 x 6 prints
but the majority of the printers can print to a maximum paper size
of 8 by 14 inches.
Number of Print Colors
Typical printers will have between 6 to 7 print colors.
Memory Card Reader
Some printers will have built-in memory card compatibility
for one or more memory card formats such as CompactFlash I or II,
SmartMedia, Memory Stick, Secure Digital, Multimedia Card.
Multifunction Printers
Connectivity
Photo-quality printers can be connected to your
PC in the following ways:
Parallel cable
USB cable
Network Print Server
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Multifunction printers are sometimes
known as all-in-one printers where they perform a two or more
functions besides printing that can include scanning, photocopying
and faxing. These printers are ideal for home offices or small
offices where space and budgets are limited.
Like other multifunction tools, there
is a compromise between quality and function. These printers
are great for all-around general use, however, if print quality
is vital to your work, you would be better off with a single
function printer.
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Key Features to Look For
Here are some of the attributes you should research when comparing
multifunction printers.
Print Technology
Multifunction printers can either use color inkjet technology
or laser technology. You will have to decide which technology is
best for your needs and your budget. Inkjet offers the advantage
of color capability with lower purchase costs. Laser offers the
advantage of speed with lower printing costs. Another consideration
is the cost of accesories. Although laser toner cartridges are initially
more expensive than color inkjet cartridges, they will save you
money in the long run.
Paper Handling
You need to decide what size of paper you will need to use.
Most multifunction printers use standard letter or legal size only
while a few will accept odd sizes.
Scan Technology
You will need to decide what scan resolution is acceptable
for your needs. Typical ranges are from 1200dpi to 9600dpi.
Copier Technology
You will need to decide what copier speed and resolution will
be adequate for your needs. Typical copy speeds ranges are from
4 ppm to 50 ppm. Resolution will be from 600 dpi to 2400dpi.
Fax Technology
You will need to decide whether you need fax capability or
not. Most fax units can handle faxing 20 to 30 pages at a time.
Examples of Printers
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Make
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Model
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Supports
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Price
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Special Features
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Lexmark
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Z65
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PC or Mac
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$$
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2 Cart. Inkjet, 21ppm (black), USB
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HP
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Business Inkjet 2230
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PC or Mac
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$$
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4 Cart. Inkjet, 15ppm (black), Parallel, Network
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Canon
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MultiPASS F80
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PC
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$$
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Multifunction - Printer, fax, scanner, copier
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HP
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LaserJet 1220
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PC or Mac
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$$$
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Laser, 15ppm, Parallel, USB, Network
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Epson
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Stylus Photo 2200
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PC or Mac
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$$$
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Photo-quality, prints up to 13" x 19, firewire
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