Choosing & Buying
Advice and information on buying printers and scanners, including how to find the best prices.
Don't Pay Too Much -- Check The MSRP
When you're preparing to buy a printer or scanner, it's wise to check the MSRP (Manufacturer's Standard Retail Price) and make sure you're not going to pay too much.
When you're preparing to buy a printer or scanner, it's wise to check the MSRP (Manufacturer's Standard Retail Price) and make sure you're not going to pay too much.
How to Find a Free Printer
So you want a new printer but don't want to pay for it? Check out these three methods for finding free (or almost free) printers.
So you want a new printer but don't want to pay for it? Check out these three methods for finding free (or almost free) printers.
Save Money: Buy Refurbished
A refurbished printer isn't just a used printer -- it offers the same guarantees and warranties as a new printer. And it's a lot cheaper.
A refurbished printer isn't just a used printer -- it offers the same guarantees and warranties as a new printer. And it's a lot cheaper.
What Does 'Time To First Page' Mean?
Many printer specs today include a line that reads "Time To First Page.' What does that mean, and is it important to know when you're purchasing a new printer?
Many printer specs today include a line that reads "Time To First Page.' What does that mean, and is it important to know when you're purchasing a new printer?
The Care and Feeding of Automatic Document Feeders
When preparing to purchase a multifunction or all-in-one printer, you may want to consider one with an Automatic Document Feeder, or ADF. Here is some advice on buying and using an ADF.
When preparing to purchase a multifunction or all-in-one printer, you may want to consider one with an Automatic Document Feeder, or ADF. Here is some advice on buying and using an ADF.
The Basics of Choosing a Printer
Deciding what kind of printer you want to purchase -- inkjet, laser, or multifunction -- can be frustrating and confusing. Here are some of the basic questions you may be asking. I
Deciding what kind of printer you want to purchase -- inkjet, laser, or multifunction -- can be frustrating and confusing. Here are some of the basic questions you may be asking. I
Considering Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the science of determining how to make a device -- or an environment -- healthy, comfortable, and efficient for a human to use. When purchasing a printer, scanner, or multifunction, you should consider whether the ergonomics of that particular unit is appropriate for your own needs. Here are some things to look for.
Ergonomics is the science of determining how to make a device -- or an environment -- healthy, comfortable, and efficient for a human to use. When purchasing a printer, scanner, or multifunction, you should consider whether the ergonomics of that particular unit is appropriate for your own needs. Here are some things to look for.
Color Laser Printers
Until recently, color laser printers were both too large and too expensive for anything but corporate use. Now, they have shrunk in size and in cost -- you can now get a color laser for under $1,000, something unheard of only a couple of years ago. Here are the top color laser printers, according to the major review sites, for consumer, home office, and small office users.
Until recently, color laser printers were both too large and too expensive for anything but corporate use. Now, they have shrunk in size and in cost -- you can now get a color laser for under $1,000, something unheard of only a couple of years ago. Here are the top color laser printers, according to the major review sites, for consumer, home office, and small office users.
Under-$100 Printers
If you're watching the bottom line, but need a good inkjet printer or multifunction, you don't have to compromise. There are a good number of devices out there that can pump out nice-looking text and images for under $100. Here, along with links to reviews, are some excellent printers that won't make you take out a loan.
If you're watching the bottom line, but need a good inkjet printer or multifunction, you don't have to compromise. There are a good number of devices out there that can pump out nice-looking text and images for under $100. Here, along with links to reviews, are some excellent printers that won't make you take out a loan.
What's Ahead For 2005: DVDs and Photo Restoration
Epson's Vice President of Marketing, Dan Crane, gives us his insight on what's in store for printer and scanner users in the coming year.
Epson's Vice President of Marketing, Dan Crane, gives us his insight on what's in store for printer and scanner users in the coming year.
Label Printers
If you run a home retail business, send out a lot of mailings, or just buy a lot of gifts, you probably want to consider buying a specialized label printer. These devices are small and reasonably-priced, and they can be ideal for large mailings and other label needs.
If you run a home retail business, send out a lot of mailings, or just buy a lot of gifts, you probably want to consider buying a specialized label printer. These devices are small and reasonably-priced, and they can be ideal for large mailings and other label needs.
Save Space: Document Scanners
When you've got piles of paper documents, and no place to store them, a document scanner can covert all that hardcopy into easily stored, and easily found, digital documents.
When you've got piles of paper documents, and no place to store them, a document scanner can covert all that hardcopy into easily stored, and easily found, digital documents.
Buyer's Guide: What's Right For You?
It can be difficult to decide what printer and/or scanner is the right one to buy. Do you need a high-quality photo printer or a low-cost inkjet? A fast laser printer or a handy all-in-one? This Buyer's Guide can help you decide. Find the description that best fits your situation, and see what kind of digital imaging device is best for you.
It can be difficult to decide what printer and/or scanner is the right one to buy. Do you need a high-quality photo printer or a low-cost inkjet? A fast laser printer or a handy all-in-one? This Buyer's Guide can help you decide. Find the description that best fits your situation, and see what kind of digital imaging device is best for you.
Pricing Printers: How Much Should You Pay?
Not sure how much to put aside for that new printer? It depends on how much printer you need. Here is some info about the different levels of print features you get for different prices.
Not sure how much to put aside for that new printer? It depends on how much printer you need. Here is some info about the different levels of print features you get for different prices.
Making Camera Connections
Many of the photo printers being sold today tout as a major feature the ability to connect directly to your digital camera. Is this something you should look for when buying a photo printer? Not necessarily.
Many of the photo printers being sold today tout as a major feature the ability to connect directly to your digital camera. Is this something you should look for when buying a photo printer? Not necessarily.
Give The Gift That Prints
A new printer or scanner can make a very good gift, especially for a digital photographer, a new entrepreneur, or a PC user who is still using a five-year-old inkjet. Here are some tips on how to choose a printer or scanner for your relative or friend.
A new printer or scanner can make a very good gift, especially for a digital photographer, a new entrepreneur, or a PC user who is still using a five-year-old inkjet. Here are some tips on how to choose a printer or scanner for your relative or friend.
USB is Faster But Parallel is Fine
Until recently, the most common method for connecting the two was through the parallel port. Today, however, most printers come with USB ports rather than parallel ports. USB ports are a lot faster, and a single port can handle several different devices. But don't throw away your parallel-port printer yet.
Until recently, the most common method for connecting the two was through the parallel port. Today, however, most printers come with USB ports rather than parallel ports. USB ports are a lot faster, and a single port can handle several different devices. But don't throw away your parallel-port printer yet.
Scanner Buying Guide - Viewz
Canada's Viewz Web site published this handy buyer's guide on scanners. "Armed with the proper information, you'll be able to find a scanner that does just what you ask."
Canada's Viewz Web site published this handy buyer's guide on scanners. "Armed with the proper information, you'll be able to find a scanner that does just what you ask."
Printer Buying Guide - Viewz
Canada's Viewz Web site offers this buying guide on buying printers for the home and/or office. "Whatever your needs, there's a printer with your name on it, it just takes a little homework to find the perfect match."
Canada's Viewz Web site offers this buying guide on buying printers for the home and/or office. "Whatever your needs, there's a printer with your name on it, it just takes a little homework to find the perfect match."
Personal Printers: The Essential Buying Guide
PC Magazine offers some of the best computer product advice around. In this special report, M. David Stone assembles a buying guide on a variety of personal printers, including inkjets, lasers, multifunctions, photo printers, and mobile printers.
PC Magazine offers some of the best computer product advice around. In this special report, M. David Stone assembles a buying guide on a variety of personal printers, including inkjets, lasers, multifunctions, photo printers, and mobile printers.
What is Duplex Printing?
If you do a lot of printing on both sides of your paper, and you're getting tired of putting all your documents through the printer twice, then you may want to consider a printer that does it for you.
If you do a lot of printing on both sides of your paper, and you're getting tired of putting all your documents through the printer twice, then you may want to consider a printer that does it for you.
G4techTV - Best Printer Under $50
TechTV offers its views on the best printers available for under $50.
TechTV offers its views on the best printers available for under $50.
Unleash Your Printer
Wireless print servers are liberating printers everywhere, allowing users to print from anywhere in the house. From PC Magazine, reviews of six wireless print servers.
Wireless print servers are liberating printers everywhere, allowing users to print from anywhere in the house. From PC Magazine, reviews of six wireless print servers.
The Right Printer for the Job
You've got lots to print--photos, documents, color flyers--does that mean you need lots of printers? Not necessarily. PC World offers some advice on the various types of printers available.
You've got lots to print--photos, documents, color flyers--does that mean you need lots of printers? Not necessarily. PC World offers some advice on the various types of printers available.
BG_For The Home
If you are thinking of buying a printer and/or scanner for your home, read these descriptions of typical types of printer users and see which one fits you the best.
If you are thinking of buying a printer and/or scanner for your home, read these descriptions of typical types of printer users and see which one fits you the best.
BG_For The Office
If you are thinking of buying a printer and/or scanner for your office, read these descriptions of typical types of printer users and see which one fits you the best.
If you are thinking of buying a printer and/or scanner for your office, read these descriptions of typical types of printer users and see which one fits you the best.