Printers / Scanners: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
All-in-One Printer Top Picks
When you've got a small home office, an all-in-one printer, also known as a multifunction printer (MFP), is a great buy. All-in-one printers can print, scan, copy, and sometimes fax. All-in-one printers are also reasonably priced.
When you've got a small home office, an all-in-one printer, also known as a multifunction printer (MFP), is a great buy. All-in-one printers can print, scan, copy, and sometimes fax. All-in-one printers are also reasonably priced.
Brother MFC-6490
The Brother MFC-6490CW All-in-One Printer is is made for a small office and offers plenty of handy office features, including wireless.
The Brother MFC-6490CW All-in-One Printer is is made for a small office and offers plenty of handy office features, including wireless.
Photo Scanner Top Picks
For serious amateur photographers and pros on a tight budget, here's a list of great photo scanners to digitize negatives and slides.
For serious amateur photographers and pros on a tight budget, here's a list of great photo scanners to digitize negatives and slides.
Samsung CLX-6200
The Samsung CLX-6200FX all-in-one color laser printer offers everything a small office needs to be productive.
The Samsung CLX-6200FX all-in-one color laser printer offers everything a small office needs to be productive.
Brother MFC-7840W Printer
The Brother MFC-7840W all-in-one printer is a monochrome laser printer that features a fax, scanner, copier, and wired/wireless networking.
The Brother MFC-7840W all-in-one printer is a monochrome laser printer that features a fax, scanner, copier, and wired/wireless networking.
Top 5 Photo Printers
Photo printers are a great buy. Nearly everyone has a digital camera, and while it’s easy to share digital photos online, there are still lots of good reasons to print out your photos. Photo printers are inexpensive, easy to use, and do a great job at printing photos. Here are my choices for the Top 5 Photo Printers Under $150.
Photo printers are a great buy. Nearly everyone has a digital camera, and while it’s easy to share digital photos online, there are still lots of good reasons to print out your photos. Photo printers are inexpensive, easy to use, and do a great job at printing photos. Here are my choices for the Top 5 Photo Printers Under $150.
Epson V500 Photo Scanner
The Epson Perfection V500 Photo scanner does a great job at scanning photos and negatives.
The Epson Perfection V500 Photo scanner does a great job at scanning photos and negatives.
Print on a CD or DVD
Printing directly onto a CD or DVD using the Epson Stylus Photo RX680 inkjet printer couldn’t be easier, and the results are fantastic. This Step-By-Step guide will demonstrate how to do it. Note that you need to make sure the CD or DVD you’re using can be printed on; check the label before you buy. Also, make sure you have already burned to the disk; once you’ve put the label on, you can’t burn data to the disk.
Printing directly onto a CD or DVD using the Epson Stylus Photo RX680 inkjet printer couldn’t be easier, and the results are fantastic. This Step-By-Step guide will demonstrate how to do it. Note that you need to make sure the CD or DVD you’re using can be printed on; check the label before you buy. Also, make sure you have already burned to the disk; once you’ve put the label on, you can’t burn data to the disk.
Choosing the Right Printer
Which printer is the right one for you? Inkjet? Laser? All in one? The answer depends on how you intend to use it. The first step is figuring out what you need.
Which printer is the right one for you? Inkjet? Laser? All in one? The answer depends on how you intend to use it. The first step is figuring out what you need.
Canon Pixma MP610
The Canon Pixma MP610 all-in-one printer does a fine job at photo scanning and printing, though it left a little to be desired.
The Canon Pixma MP610 all-in-one printer does a fine job at photo scanning and printing, though it left a little to be desired.
All-in-One Printers
All-in-one printers, also known as multifunction printers (MFPs), are handy if you have a small office or frequently need to fax, copy, and scan.
All-in-one printers, also known as multifunction printers (MFPs), are handy if you have a small office or frequently need to fax, copy, and scan.
Dell 968 All-in-One Printer
The Dell 968W All-in-One printer is a convenient and hard-working multifunction printer that's easy on the wallet.
The Dell 968W All-in-One printer is a convenient and hard-working multifunction printer that's easy on the wallet.
Types of Scanners
There are a few different kinds of scanners and, as with printers, the one that’s right for you depends on how you intend to use it. The most common types are flatbed scanners, sheetfed scanners, photo scanners, and portable scanners.
There are a few different kinds of scanners and, as with printers, the one that’s right for you depends on how you intend to use it. The most common types are flatbed scanners, sheetfed scanners, photo scanners, and portable scanners.
Canon Selphy CP760
The Canon Selphy CP760 Compact Photo Printer uses dye-sublimation ink to print postcard-sized prints.
The Canon Selphy CP760 Compact Photo Printer uses dye-sublimation ink to print postcard-sized prints.
Laser Printers
Laser printers are great for printing black-and-white text and graphics. They're more expensive to buy than inkjet printers but are cheaper to run. Color laser printers are getting cheaper as well.
Laser printers are great for printing black-and-white text and graphics. They're more expensive to buy than inkjet printers but are cheaper to run. Color laser printers are getting cheaper as well.
Printer Resolution
Inkjets have nozzles that spray tiny drops of ink, while laser printers melt dots of toner against the paper. The more dots you can squeeze into a square inch, the sharper the resulting image will be. Printer resolution refers to how many dots per inch a printer can put onto a piece of paper.
Inkjets have nozzles that spray tiny drops of ink, while laser printers melt dots of toner against the paper. The more dots you can squeeze into a square inch, the sharper the resulting image will be. Printer resolution refers to how many dots per inch a printer can put onto a piece of paper.
Phaser 3250
The Xerox Phaser 3250 Laser Printer only does one thing--print in monochrome--but it does it exceptionally well.
The Xerox Phaser 3250 Laser Printer only does one thing--print in monochrome--but it does it exceptionally well.
Pixma MX7600 All-in-One
The Canon Pixma MX7600 all-in-one printer includes a new clear-ink technology that helps create better color and monochrome prints. It's a large printer but it does its job well.
The Canon Pixma MX7600 all-in-one printer includes a new clear-ink technology that helps create better color and monochrome prints. It's a large printer but it does its job well.
Wireless Networking
Wireless networking your printer or scanner may sound difficult, but newer machines are making it easier to do. Here's some advice from networking experts on how to do it.
Wireless networking your printer or scanner may sound difficult, but newer machines are making it easier to do. Here's some advice from networking experts on how to do it.
Samsung ML-2851
The Samsung ML-2851 is a monochrome laser printer that can be connected to over a wired network. It's made for small businesses and is a good entry-level monochrome laser printer.
The Samsung ML-2851 is a monochrome laser printer that can be connected to over a wired network. It's made for small businesses and is a good entry-level monochrome laser printer.
Canon Pixma MP530
The Canon Pixma MP530 is a multifunction printer that is a dependable workhorse for home offices.
The Canon Pixma MP530 is a multifunction printer that is a dependable workhorse for home offices.
Clean the Printer / Scanner
If the platen glass or document cover of your printer/scanner are dirty or smudged, your scan and print jobs aren’t going to look good. Cleaning these elements is easy with nothing more than cloth and water. Don’t use paper towels or tissues (they can leave fine threads behind), and never use chemical cleaners.
If the platen glass or document cover of your printer/scanner are dirty or smudged, your scan and print jobs aren’t going to look good. Cleaning these elements is easy with nothing more than cloth and water. Don’t use paper towels or tissues (they can leave fine threads behind), and never use chemical cleaners.
Polaroid PoGo
The PoGo is a very portable photo printer that doesn't use ink. The prints are small but it's a lot of fun to use, it's fast, and it fits in your back pocket.
The PoGo is a very portable photo printer that doesn't use ink. The prints are small but it's a lot of fun to use, it's fast, and it fits in your back pocket.
Remote Scan
Software from Remote Scan allows printers to share a single scanner across a wired or wireless network.
Software from Remote Scan allows printers to share a single scanner across a wired or wireless network.
Photosmart A626
The HP Photosmart A626 printer is lightweight and portable, though its colors aren't perfect.
The HP Photosmart A626 printer is lightweight and portable, though its colors aren't perfect.
Inkjet Printers
Inkjet printers are the most common type of printer available today. They’re very affordable and are excellent printers for almost any task, from printing shopping lists to making copies of photographs.
Inkjet printers are the most common type of printer available today. They’re very affordable and are excellent printers for almost any task, from printing shopping lists to making copies of photographs.
Print Directly on Fabric
You can print directly onto fabric using your inkjet printer. Here's how.
You can print directly onto fabric using your inkjet printer. Here's how.
Epson Photo RX680
The Epson Stylus Photo RX680 isn't the multifunction you need to keep your office running, but it does a great job with photo printing and other tasks.
The Epson Stylus Photo RX680 isn't the multifunction you need to keep your office running, but it does a great job with photo printing and other tasks.
Printers / Scanners - GuideReviews
An index of GuideReviews for the Printers / Scanners guide site.
An index of GuideReviews for the Printers / Scanners guide site.
Printer Networking
Networking a printer allows multiple computers to access a single printer, a great convenience for home or small offices.
Networking a printer allows multiple computers to access a single printer, a great convenience for home or small offices.
Unjam Paper Jams
Paper jams can happen for a number of reasons. The most common reasons are that the paper tray is overloaded or the edge of the paper is curled or folded. Paper typically jams between the sheet feeder and the output tray, or inside the machine. Here are step-by-step directions to clearing up both kinds of paper jams.
Paper jams can happen for a number of reasons. The most common reasons are that the paper tray is overloaded or the edge of the paper is curled or folded. Paper typically jams between the sheet feeder and the output tray, or inside the machine. Here are step-by-step directions to clearing up both kinds of paper jams.
Scanner Resolution
Resolution refers to the amount of information, calculated in dots per inch, that the scanner can read.
Resolution refers to the amount of information, calculated in dots per inch, that the scanner can read.
Clean Printheads
When printheads get clogged, image quality suffers. But cleaning printheads is a quick and simple process. Here's a step-by-step tutorial on cleaning printheads. Note: These instructions will work for users of Windows but not of other operating systems.
When printheads get clogged, image quality suffers. But cleaning printheads is a quick and simple process. Here's a step-by-step tutorial on cleaning printheads. Note: These instructions will work for users of Windows but not of other operating systems.
draft_mode
Changing print quality to Draft Mode can speed up printing and save ink.
Changing print quality to Draft Mode can speed up printing and save ink.
Installing New Ink Tanks
Push the inner cover closed before closing the printer cover.
Push the inner cover closed before closing the printer cover.
Green Printing
Green printing is a great way to help recycle and save resources; it's also a good way to keep some extra money in your pocket.
Green printing is a great way to help recycle and save resources; it's also a good way to keep some extra money in your pocket.
USB Connectors
Printers and scanners usually connect to computers with a USB connector.
Printers and scanners usually connect to computers with a USB connector.
Using OCR Software
If you are scanning documents, you may wish that you could convert them to Word documents rather than PDFs or image files so they'd be easier to search and edit. But if you’re like me, you’d rather not have to buy new (and expensive) software. Microsoft Office Document Imaging software can convert the text in a scanned image to a Word document, and it's built into Office. Here’s how to find and use it.
If you are scanning documents, you may wish that you could convert them to Word documents rather than PDFs or image files so they'd be easier to search and edit. But if you’re like me, you’d rather not have to buy new (and expensive) software. Microsoft Office Document Imaging software can convert the text in a scanned image to a Word document, and it's built into Office. Here’s how to find and use it.
Clean Inside the Pixma
There are a few reasons why the Pixma's print jobs don’t look their best. If you’re seeing stripes, it could be due to clogged printheads, which are easy to <a href="/od/howto/ht/cleanprintheads.htm" unclog</a>. But if you find smudges on the back of the paper, the inside of the printer may be dirty. This is how you can easily clean the inside of your Pixma.
There are a few reasons why the Pixma's print jobs don’t look their best. If you’re seeing stripes, it could be due to clogged printheads, which are easy to <a href="/od/howto/ht/cleanprintheads.htm" unclog</a>. But if you find smudges on the back of the paper, the inside of the printer may be dirty. This is how you can easily clean the inside of your Pixma.
Recycle Inkjet Cartridges
When your inkjet cartridges run out, don't throw them away. The US Post Office offers free mailers to send them to a recycler.
When your inkjet cartridges run out, don't throw them away. The US Post Office offers free mailers to send them to a recycler.
Two on One Copying
Copying two pages onto one saves you paper and money. Here's how to do it with the Canon Pixma MP610.
Copying two pages onto one saves you paper and money. Here's how to do it with the Canon Pixma MP610.
PictBridge
PictBridge allows you to connect your digital camera directly to your printer.
PictBridge allows you to connect your digital camera directly to your printer.
Variable Scope
Determining the scope of variables. In what part of the program does a given variable exist.
Determining the scope of variables. In what part of the program does a given variable exist.
Extended Warranties
When you buy a new printer or scanner, the salesperson will try to convince you to buy an extended warranty. It's not worth the money.
When you buy a new printer or scanner, the salesperson will try to convince you to buy an extended warranty. It's not worth the money.
About - Printers / Scanners Buyer's Guide
Find Guide reviews, top picks, and advice you can use before you buy.
Find Guide reviews, top picks, and advice you can use before you buy.
Printers / Scanners - StepBySteps
An index of StepBySteps for the Printers / Scanners guide site.
An index of StepBySteps for the Printers / Scanners guide site.
Printers / Scanners - HowTos
An index of HowTos for the Printers / Scanners guide site.
An index of HowTos for the Printers / Scanners guide site.
Finding the Best Deals
You can find great deals on printers and scanners online and in brick-and-mortar shops. I'll help you find the best deals
You can find great deals on printers and scanners online and in brick-and-mortar shops. I'll help you find the best deals
Print Speed
Print speed depends on what kind of document you're printing and how your printer's preferences are set.
Print speed depends on what kind of document you're printing and how your printer's preferences are set.