Printers/Scanners

Adding to its range of AIOs (All-in-Ones), Kodak has released its ESP C310 model. Offering wireless and USB connectivity, the Kodak ESP C310 combines print, scan and copy facilities for the home user.

While in the past some Brother units have been extremely slow at photo printing this has now improved. This is an extremely thin All In One unit, meaning it not only prints but also scans and copies the later without need of a PC.

As it had provided me with excellent service over a number of years, I was only too pleased to grant my laser printer a short break as I checked out a new arrival from Brother.

Currently sitting next to my work desk is a new multifunction device from Brother. This unit offers laser printing with duplex capability.

It has been a long time since I last had the opportunity to check out an Epson printer. If memory serves me correct (actually it was a more reliable Filemaker database that provided the information), the last model was one of the Perfection series that were current four years ago. The arrival of the Epson BX320FW model saw an end to this situation.

My latest look at a Canon multifunction device took in the company’s budget entry model.

Like big red buses, you do not see one for ages and then two arrive in close proximity. This type of situation arose with two Epson multifunction devices.

This is a small All In One unit, it can print, scan and copy. For anyone needing to do all three then an All In One unit has the biggest advantage of – stating the oblivious – being a single unit, so only one power plug and one PC connection.

Handwriting notes stuck on objects might do the job but they hardly look professional. A new Dymo printer produces stick on plastic labels that could be the answer.

I see only a few A3 printers mainly because of size but after the recent offering from Brother this Epson unit was offered, it is bigger (wider) than the Brother and is only a printer and not an All In One but it can print A3+.

The Brother DCP-7065DN multi-function device is a combined mono laser printer, copier and (full colour) scanner that occupies a relatively small footprint and has all the features, including both USB and 10/100 Ethernet as well as automatic document feed, that one has come to expect from machines targeted at the small office sector.

This is the Worlds Smallest Laser unit, smaller than most basic inkjet printers, the main differences are that this is of course only monochrome but the claimed printspeed is the actual printspeed something you certainly cannot say for inkjets.

While multi-function devices tend to be based on an inkjet printer, this is not always the case. For example the Brother DCP 7055 is a multi-function device that provides print, scan and copy features based around a laser technology for providing hard copy.

For many people the single function inkjet printer is giving way to the multi-function machine that, as well as printing, copies and scans. The Canon MG 5250 is the latest such device and is targeted at those who want a SoHo (small office/home office) machine that is easy to use and gives good all round results.

This is an All In One (no fax) but I doubt if very many people still use that facility. This can scan, print and copy and while it is USB you only have to then convince the lounge police that black is the 2011 colour of choice.

Most people have the idea that A3 machines are big, this one is not, this is not just a printer but a multi function unit as it scans, copies, faxes and prints, also it can also print photos direct from a card or a memory stick.

With a pile of paper, various images and electronic documents all ready and waiting, it is time to test a new multifunction device. This time the manufacturer is Canon.

This is a completely different shape for a Multi Function unit. It is Multi Function as not only does it print, scan and copy but should you still need the facility it can also be used as a Fax machine. The shape is higher rather than wider.

I have been a regular user of a Dymo labelling device for many years. While fine for simple tasks, this device was unsuitable for more complicated labels. Fortunately Dymo manufacture a product that is capable of carrying out this type of task.

The Brother MFC-J6510DW all-in-one multifunction printer, copier, scanner and fax is an important machine in the company’s professional MFP range. Its ability to handle A3 size documents which, although not an everyday requirement, is a feature which many offices would find extremely useful.

This is quite a sleek All In One unit from Epson. As it can be wireless then the ‘lounge police’ become less effective as it could live in a cupboard or even behind the sofa as once up and running only a power lead will be needed.

A squat black box, this will be unlikely to pass the lounge police – unless they are goth – but it can be used wirelessly, however for those with no fashion taste – like me – I am only interested in quality of printing, copying and scanning.

Do you opt for a cheaper inkjet and pay extra for ink cartridges or select a more expensive printer with reduced running costs? Kodak believes the latter is the way to go with kit such as the ESP3250.

This is quite a large unit that is certainly a multi function unit. My interest was the claim made with that it 'cost 50% less per page than colour lasers'. I am sure we all know normally a mono laser is far more frugal than an inkjet.

This is an inkjet unit that is unlikely to be any smaller if it was only a printer. Yes, the scanner is only a flatbed, but I doubt anyone would use an inkjet to scan dozens of pages as the cost per page would make it uneconomic.

A small wireless laser printer that cannot annoy the lounge police as it can sit in a cupboard of behind the sofa and once you have connected it to a recent PC by a USB lead everything is done automatically no need even to insert a CD.

With the HL-2250DN Brother has produced an entry level mono laser printer to meet the needs of a growing number of homes and small businesses who have a limited budget but need a networked printer to be shared between two or more computers.

Currently occupying a portion of my available workspace is the Canon PIXMA MP640. This is an All-in-One device that offers print, scan and copy capabilities while giving you a choice of USB or 802.11bg WLAN connectivity when connecting to your computer system which can be either a Windows or Mac machine. Also included with this product is a duplex feature for those jobs that require printing on both sides of the paper.

Unless you need to print colour pages this is a very efficient way to work, I often need to print single pages this has virtually no warm up time. I scan single pages to print again very quick and finally email the signed page once scanned also very efficient.

Taking over my recent printing tasks has been a new product from Brother. This particular model is the multi-function DCP-J125.