Printer and Scanner Features to Look For
When you research a printer or scanner, there are some important features to look for. These include cables and connections, the ability to work with different types of media, and PictBridge, which lets you connect your camera directly to your printer.
Printer Networking
Networking a printer allows multiple computers to access a single printer, a great convenience for home or small offices.
USB Connectors
Printers and scanners usually connect to computers with a USB connector.
Bluetooth Wireless Printer Adapters
Bluetooth wireless printer adapters allow you to turn any printer that has a USB or parallel port into a short-range wireless printer. They're most convenient for mobile printers, but they can be a lot of fun to use with compact photo printers as well. The Guide to the Mobile Office offers a list of the best wireless printer adapters.
Using PictBridge to Print Photos
PictBridge allows you to connect your digital camera directly to your printer.
Photo Paper
If you're printing photos, there's a wide range of photo papers to choose from. The right one for you depends on what kind of printer you have and how you want your prints to look. Before you buy, learn more about the differences between photo papers.
Ink Yields
Buying ink is one of the most expensive aspects of owning a printer. How long inkjet cartridges last depends a lot on how much you print as well as the size of the paper you print on. Canon provides estimated yields for all its inks.