Printer Buying Guide
Printers are essential peripherals, performing a critical role as they render electronic information into tangible records or material output. You're simply not using your computer to its fullest potential if you are unable to print reports, presentations, letters, photos, or whatever it is you need to output. Choosing a printer can be confusing, however, in today's competitive, ever-changing landscape. This buying guide rounds out some of the more important criteria to consider before you make that all-important purchase decision.
Printing Technologies
This is the biggest decision to make before anything else. Your choice should be based on how you work and the kind of output you will be expecting from the printer.
?Inkjet: Inkjet printers can deliver stunning color, so this is the way to go if you are mostly concerned with printing photos.
Inkjets can be used for printing text, but the print speed is too slow if the primary purpose of the printer is document printing.
To obtain more photo-realism, choose inkjets with an expanded range of colors that includes light cyan and light magenta in addition to the standard four-color CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). The extra colors deliver more subtle color gradations in blue skies and skin tones. And if you print a great deal of black-and-white photos, consider photo printers with more than one variation of black ink or with gray inks. Many photo printers use color inks to produce a composite black, resulting in a muddy tint.
A second black-ink cartridge and different shades of gray help maintain a neutral tone, with the gray ink allowing for subtle shading and thus improving the quality of black-and-white photos.
?Dye-sublimation: Dye-sub printers can print continuous tones and a superior range of colors that laser printers are unable to, making them ideal for more demanding graphic applications or color printing. Dye-sub prints are also less prone to fading and distortion over time than dye-based ink prints. In addition, many consumer-based dye-sublimation printers can print directly from digital cameras and also accept memory cards. They are, however, more limited in the range and size of printing media that can be used - usually letter-size paper or smaller.
?Laser:
Laser printers are the perfect choice if you need to print large amounts of text documents.
They print faster than inkjets and have a lower cost of operation over the long-term - even though they may cost more to buy initially.
There are trade-offs, however. Monochrome laser printers produce crisp black-and-white text but cannot be used for color printing. Color lasers deliver excellent text and graphics but are much more expensive and can be costly to maintain.
Printer Usage
Some printers are good for general printing, while others are better at specialized tasks or combine several functions into one machine.
?Photo: If you take lots of pictures, consider getting a photo printer. Photo printers can be in the form of photo inkjets - which can print both photos and text; snapshot photo printers - for outputting small 4x6-inch prints; or professional photo printers - for large, tabloid-size photos and often including network connections to enable printer sharing. Most consumer and professional photo printers use inkjet technology, while most snapshot photo printers that print 4x6-inch prints rely on dye-sublimation technology.
Regardless of the type or technology that is used, the most important thing to look for in a photo printer is photorealistic quality. Everything else is secondary.
?General Purpose: As the name implies, general purpose printers can be used for printing almost anything, including text and photos. Choose a general printer with a laser format if you print more text than photos; and choose an inkjet format if you print more photos than text.
?Multifunction: Multifunction printers (MFPs) combine in one device several functions such as printing, scanning, faxing, and copying. MFPs cost less than buying separate stand-alone devices and cut down on the hassle of setting up individual machines.
If you are strapped for budget or space, consider these all-in-one devices. Take note, however, that a malfunction with one component takes down the whole device, and individual components may not be upgradeable. MFPs are available with either laser printers to emphasize speedy text printing and the occasional graphics output; or they are available with inkjet printers for vibrant photo printing.
Printer Specs and Key Features
Printers feature various specifications, so navigating the spec sheet intelligently requires familiarity with what each specification entails according to the printing technology involved or for the type of usage planned for the printer.
?Resolution: For laser printers, 300 dpi is adequate if all you need is to print black-and-white text, but choose at least 1200 dpi for photorealistic grayscale or color printing. For inkjets, choose one featuring 1200-dpi or higher resolution with a droplet size of 4 picoliters or smaller for sharp, clean output. With photo printers, resolution varies according to technology: Output at 300 dpi by photo printers using dye-sublimation technology is comparable to photo printers using inkjet technology outputting at 1200 dpi or higher.
?Speed: Speed ratings vary greatly, and the print speeds cited by manufacturers usually refer to printing in draft mode or at the lowest resolution.
For laser printers, a more accurate way of measuring actual print speed is to time just how long it takes from the minute you hit "Print" - to the time that it takes the printer to warm up, spool the job into the print queue, and for the printed output to finally come out. For inkjets, print speed is not one of its stronger suits; so don't be overly concerned with this spec.
?Memory: Extra memory will come in handy for laser printers to enable them to handle large graphics and documents more easily. Check the maximum upgradeable memory allowed for your printer, if it features a hard drive with similarly upgradeable memory, and if the printer can use generic memory or needs the manufacturer's brand. In the case of inkjets, memory is built-in and not upgradeable, but this is not an issue inasmuch as processing occurs on the side of the computer - so there's no need for large amounts of installed RAM to begin with on inkjets.
?Connectivity: Most printers today no longer support the older parallel connection but feature instead USB 1.1 or Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) - either of which should work fine with USB computers. For printers to be used on a network, it will need to have an Ethernet port to enable printer sharing.
For more flexible printing options, you may want to look for printers with infrared input/output ports that allow wireless printing from notebooks or other devices with infrared ports. And if high-speed or long-distance printing is what you need, consider printers with a FireWire port.
Consumables and cost per page
The purchase price of the printer is just the beginning of its overall cost because over time, the hidden cost of ink or toner, paper, and parts will add up. These "hidden costs" are the consumables; dividing the total cost of consumables by the number of pages that can be produced from the consumables gives you the cost per page. Laser printers offer the lowest cost per page, using relatively inexpensive toner and normal-weight, uncoated paper. On the other hand, cost per page for inkjets can be four or five times as much, depending on how much ink you use and the cost of the paper - normally more expensive, coated, glossy paper for higher-quality color output.
The tank configuration for inkjets should also be taken into consideration. Inkjets with a single cartridge for the colored inks will incur higher replacement costs because the cartridge must be replaced as soon as one color runs out - even if the cartridge still contains plenty of ink for the other colors. To save costs, get an inkjet with separate cartridges for black and each individual color.
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Samsung Canada Showcases Printing and Display Solutions as a Platinum Sponsor at LinuxWorld and NetworkWorld Conference & Expo 2006
(ContentDesk) February 16, 2006 -- Samsung Canada will join an elite group of companies as a Platinum Sponsor at LinuxWorld and NetworkWorld (LWNW) Conference & Expo 2006, taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, April 2426. Samsungs keynote address and their major presence of 800-square feet on the exhibit floor featuring products from their IT division, will give IT professionals and business specialists the opportunity to see Samsungs Large Format Display and Laser Printer lineups in action. Samsung would like to take this opportunity to educate key IT decision makers and influencers about what we believe is a strong value proposition in the areas of printing and display solutions.
We have developed our technology to improve economy and efficiency in todays workplace so we felt it was a natural fit for us to make a splash at the LinuxWorld & NetworkWorld (LWNW) Canada Conference & Expo 2006 this year, says Bob Park, Director of Marketing of the Information...
Photo printers > Samsung Canada Showcases Printing and Display Solutions as a Platinum Sponsor at LinuxWorld and NetworkWorld Conference & Expo 2006
Don't Confuse Photo-sharing and Printing Websites with Real Backup
Boston, MA (ContentDesk) February, 9 2006 -- Photo websites like Snapfish, Kodaks EasyShare Gallery, Shutterfly, and Yahoo Photos are great for sharing and printing some of your favorite pictures.
But as Bill Bulkeley said in his recent article in the Wall Street Journal, The Downside of Photo-Storage Sites, If users don't follow the conditions for service -- often disclosed only in the fine print -- their photographs could wind up getting deleted. On these websites, you typically have to purchase prints from time to time in order to avoid having your uploaded pictures deleted.
For example, Kodak's online EasyShare Gallery quietly added a provision last year that requires users to pay $2.49 per month to avoid having their pictures deleted if they dont order prints.
However, most people have far too many photos on their hard drives to use services like EasyShare, Snapfish, or Yahoo Photos for backup.
Digital photographers today have an average...
Photo printers > Don't Confuse Photo-sharing and Printing Websites with Real Backup
Are you doing all you can to keep your child safe?
(ContentDesk) April 10, 2004--Vivian Nelson-Melle understands the importance of child safety. Every parent's worst nightmare is being separated from his or her child and the finder not knowing where the child lives or whom to contact. Even worse is the possibility of being
in a terrible auto accident and left unconscious and unable to fill others in on your children's medical needs.My Precious Kid Safety Products (www.mamitascreations.com) will inspire parents to take a time out for their children's safety. In just a few simple clicks of the mouse or dialing of the phone, parents can special order ID cards and fingerprint kits that will ultimately add to the safety of their children.When Vivian Nelson-Melle of Phoenix, Arizona, had a daughter with a severe allergy she wondered how others would know should she become separated from her. Research brought her to My Precious Kid Safety Products, the perfect...
Photo printers > Are you doing all you can to keep your child safe?
Indoor Air Pollution-You Can Do Something About It.
About Indoor Air Pollution At The Workplace And At Home.Workplace Air PollutionWhen we think about pollution, we generally think in terms of outdoor air pollution. However, we spend many hours each day indoors, be it at home or in our work place. Yes, air pollution isn't only an outdoor issue. The air indoors, at our home and in our workplace can also be polluted and we can suffer because of it. Indoor air pollution can and does affect the quality of our life.
In fact, levels of some types of air pollution can be higher indoors than outdoors. On average, people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, so the quality of indoor air is very important to ones wellbeing and health. We need to breathe whether it is indoors or outdoors so we have to make the air we live in as pollution free as possible.Air Pollution at our work place and the indoor air quality is an important health issue and demands our attention. Complaints abound related to indoor air quality due to more tightly...
Indoor Air Pollution-You Can Do Something About It.
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Rubber Stamps and Scrapbooking ? Keep Kids Busy with Crafts This Summer
They're out of school and back to torment the neighborhood this summer. You remember the days. Boredom is a common thought, even with all the stuff to do. Mow the lawn, go to baseball games, and hang out with friends. How can they be bored?It is really not that tough to find things to do, but it seems like a lot of work just trying to find them.
What could the kids do that will actually make them learn something? Just because they are out of school doesn't mean they have to shut their minds off.Scrapbook Your SummerSummer is a time for having fun with friends and enjoying the finer things in life. There are trips to the beach, the amusement park, and the ballgame. Memories will be had by the minute. Preserving the memories is crucial. The boring rainy days will no longer be mind-numbing when there is scrapbooking to do.
With all the pictures you are going to take, there must be a cool place to store them.Sharing the summer memories is fun, but most importantly, it...
Rubber Stamps and Scrapbooking ? Keep Kids Busy with Crafts This Summer
Photo printers > Rubber Stamps and Scrapbooking ? Keep Kids Busy with Crafts This Summer
Family Journals
Family Journals
By
www.the5yearjournal.com info@the5yearjournal.com Keeping a journal, diary, or diaries, can not only be beneficial to you as an individual, but it can also be a benefit to your family. Do you remember the family vacation to Disneyland when you were 12? What about your parent's 20-year anniversary? Or your birthday party when you turned 15? The new house you moved into in 8th grade? High school graduation?All those family memories from family events -- all those moments in time, now past.A family journal is a book, or a series of books, where family members can journal about any event that has taken place. For example, there could be one individual journal that you take to every family reunion to capture current events year to year. It could have photos, memorabilia and journal entries from those who attended the reunion. The journal could also include letters, announcements and other updates from family members.
Parents can journal daily to...
Family Journals
Photo printers > Family Journals
A Quick RX For Career Success
Pima Medical Institute, 370 Printers Parkway in Colorado Springs has what the doctor ordered for individuals who have made a New Year's resolution for a new career in healthcare, but do not want to spend years in training.
PMI's Colorado Springs campus is currently enrolling individuals for the 36-week Pharmacy Technician Program that begins Jan. 17th.
The evening session, which is 41 weeks, begins Jan. 24th.????The training covers: Pharmacy Law and Ethics; Pharmacy Regulatory Guidelines; Pharmacy Math; Inventory Maintenance; Pharmacology; Clerical Duties; Pharmacy Laboratory Skills; computer Applications and an externship in a hospital or clinical setting.
???? "The Pharmacy Technician program is great because it offers one of the shortest training times available and the number of jobs in this career field is increasing," said Karen McGrath, campus director.
"In addition, PMI students have the advantage of pursuing their medical training with a career...
Photo printers > A Quick RX For Career Success
A Just Released Glasgow Caledonian University Study Confirms Four out of Five Preschoolers are Wearing Shoes that are Damaging their Feet
(ContentDesk) June 27, 2005 -- Shocking results released in June of 2005 from a study conducted by the Glasgow Caledonian University reveal 83 percent of preschoolers are wearing shoes that are too small, despite the risk of serious, long-term damage associated with ill-fitting shoes.Consultant Pediatric Podiatrist and lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University Gordon Watt says "many parents grossly underestimate the importance of looking after their child's feet while they are growing. "Unlike...
Photo printers shoes Printer Buying Guide A Just Released Glasgow Caledonian University Study Confirms Four out of Five Preschoolers are Wearing Shoes that are Damaging their Feet
Photo printers > A Just Released Glasgow Caledonian University Study Confirms Four out of Five Preschoolers are Wearing Shoes that are Damaging their Feet
Free Satellite TV -- Is It Really Free?
You've seen the online and offline ads -- "Free satellite TV!" "Get a 4-room Satellite TV System Free!" and "Satellite TV Dish and Receivers Absolutely Free!"But is satellite TV really free?The answer to that question is yes ... and no.Yes, the equipment you get -- the satellite TV dish and satellite TV receiver -- is free. But no, the programming service will cost you money.Let's examine the facts.Due to the demise of Pegasus and Voom, there are only two major satellite TV providers in the USA...
dvr Photo printers
Photo printers > Free Satellite TV -- Is It Really Free?
Candle Making Kits
If you have always wanted to make your own candles but never had the time to research the steps and buy all the supplies you need to get started, there is good news. There are candle-making kits available. There are kits designed for grownups and even kids who want to get creative and make candles. The following are some of the popular kits available in stores today.
Gel Candle Making Kit. Gel candles are very hot these days.
You too can easily make your own gel candles with...
Photo printers
Photo printers > Candle Making Kits
Refinance Mortgage Rate and Mortgage Rates
Refinance mortgage rate is the best rate available to qualified homeowners for refinancing their current home mortgage. Refinance mortgage rates vary from product to product and customer to customer. A consumer with excellent credit will qualify for the very lowest and best refinance mortgage rate but one with problem credit will have to pay a higher rate of interest. Refinance mortgage rates are offered by mortgage loan companies, banks, and savings...
Photo printers Refinance Mortgage Rate and Mortgage Rates refinance Printer Buying Guide
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Photo printers
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