Laser color print. Monochrome printing in small volumes: Testing personal laser printers What is a monochrome laser printer

Laser printers have become an indispensable attributes of office equipment. Such popularity is explained by high speed and low printability of the press. To understand how this technique works, you should know the device and the principle of operation of the laser printer. In fact, the whole magic of the device is explained by simple constructive solutions.

Back in 1938, a technology was patented by Cester Carlson, transferring an image on paper with dry ink. The main engine of the work was static electricity. Electrographic method (And it was he who was he) got a big distribution in 1949, when Xerox Corporation took it as a basis in the work of the first of its apparatus. However, to the logical perfection and full automation of the process, another decade of work was required - only after that, the first "xerox" appeared, which became the prototype of modern laser printed devices.

First Laser Printer Xerox 9700

The very first laser printer appeared only in 1977 (they became the Xerox 9700 model). Then the seal was made at a speed of 120 pages per minute. This machine was used exclusively in institutions and enterprises. But in 1982, the first canon desktop unit comes out. Since that time, numerous brands are connected to the development, which today offer all new options for desktop laser printing helpers. Each person who has decided to use such a technique will be interesting to learn more about the inner structure and the principle of such an aggregate.

What inside

Despite the large range, the laser printer device of all models is similar. Based on the work photoelectric part xerography, and the device itself is divided into the following blocks and nodes:

• laser scan unit;
• a node that transfers image;
• node to secure the image.

The first block is presented lenses and mirrors. It is here that the semiconductor type of the laser is capable of focusing the lens. Then there are mirrors and groups that can rotate, thereby forming an image. Go to the node responsible for transferring the image: it is located in it toner cartridge and rollerThe charge. Already only in the cartridge there are three main forming images of the element: a photo cylinder, a pre-charge shaft and a magnetic shaft (working together with the device drum). And here, the possibility of changing its conductivity under the action of light has become more relevant. When the photo cylinder is given in charge, it retains it for a long time, but when it is evolving its resistance, which leads to the fact that the charge begins to drain from its surface. So the impression you need appear.

In general, there are two ways to create a picture.

Finding into the unit, immediately before the future contact with the photo cylinder, the corresponding charge receives the paper itself. In this helps the image transfer roller. After transfer, the static charge disappears with the help of a special neutralizer - so paper ceases to attract into the photo cylinder.

But how is the image fixed? This is due to those additives that are in Toner. They have a certain melting point. Such a "stove" presses the melted toner powder into the paper, after which it quickly freezes and becomes durable.

The image printed on paper has excellent resistance to numerous external influences.

How the cartridge is arranged

The defining link in the operation of the laser printer is the cartridge. It is a small bunker with two compartments - for working toner and for already spent material. Also here is a photosensitive drum (photo cylinder) and mechanical gears for turning it.

The toner itself is a fine-visuous type powder, which consists of polymer balls - they are covered with a special layer of magnetic material. If we are talking about a color toner, then the coloring substances also include in its composition.

It is important to know that each manufacturer produces its own original toner - all of them inherent in their magnitude, dispersion and other properties.

That is why in no case cannot fill cartridges by random toner - it may adversely affect its performance.

The process of the birth of ottisa

The appearance of an image or text on paper will consist of such consecutive stages:

• barabana charge;
• exhibiting;
• manifest;
• transfer;
• fastening.

How does the photo charge work? It is formed on the phototrabane (where, as already understandable, the future image is born). To begin with, the charge occurs, which can be both negative and positive. This happens in one of the following ways.

1. Used coronator, that is, a tungsten thread coated carbon, gold and platinum inclusions. When it comes into business high voltage, Between this thread, the frame is sweeping, which, accordingly, will create an electric field transmitting a charge per photorad.
2. However, the use of the thread led over time to problems with pollution and deterioration of the quality of the printed material. It is much better roller charge with similar features. Itself is similar to a metal shaft, which is covered with conductive rubber or foam rubber. There is a touch with a photo cylinder - at that moment the video and transfers the charge. The voltage is significantly lower here, but the parts are wearing much faster.

This is the work of lighting, as a result of which part of the photo cylinder becomes conductive and passes the charge through the metal base in the drum. And the exposure area becomes uncharged (or becomes a weak charge). At this stage, an invisible image is formed.

Technically, this is done like this.

1. The laser beam falls on the surface of the mirror and reflected on the lens that will distribute it into the required place on the drum.
2. So the system of lenses and mirrors generates a line along the photo cylinder - the laser is turned on, it turns off, the charge remains intact, then removed.
3. String ended? The supplied photo is turned, and the exhibiting will continue again.

Mante

In this process, great importance is magnetic Tree from Cartridge, similar to a metal tube, inside which is a magnetic core. A part of the shaft surface is placed in the filling toner of the bunker. The magnet attracts a powder to the shaft, and it is endowed out.

It is important to adjust the uniform distribution of the powder layer - for this there is a special dosing blade. It skips only a thin layer of toner, throwing the rest back. If the blade is installed incorrectly, black stripes may appear on paper.

After that, the toner moves to the area between the magnetic shaft and the photo cylinder - here it will attract to the proexposed plots, and from charged it will push. So the image becomes more visible.

Transfer

So that the image appears already on paper, enter into business roller transfer, whose metal core is attracted by a positive charge - it is transferred to paper due to a special rubberized coating.

So, the particles come off from the drum and start moving to the page. But they are held here so far only because of static tension. Figuratively speaking, the toner is simply embanked where necessary.

Together with a toner can get dust and paper paper, but they are removed viper (special plate) and sent straight to the waste bunker compartment. After a complete circle of the drum, the process is repeated.

For this, the toner property is melted at high temperatures. Constructively, this is in this assist the two of the following shaft:

• the top is the heating element;
• in the lower paper, the molten toner is pressed.

Sometimes a similar "stove" is thermal File - Special flexible and heat-resistant material with heating component and clamping roller. Its heating is controlled by the sensor. Just at the time of the passage between the film and the clamping part, the paper and heats up to 200 degrees, which allows it to easily absorb in itself a liquid toner.

Further cooling is in a natural way - in laser printers, it is usually not required to install an additional cooling system. However, a special cleaner passes here again - usually its role is performed. felter.

Felt usually impregnate with a special composition, which helps to lubricate the coating. Therefore, another name of such a shaft is oil.

How is colored laser printing

But what about color printing? The laser device uses four such main colors - black, purple, yellow and blue. The principle of printing is the same as in the black and white case, but first the printer breaks the image on the monochrome for each color. It begins the sequential transfer of his color by each cartridge, and as a result, the imposition is obtained by the desired result.

Select such color laser printing technologies:

• multi-frequency;
• single-pass.

For multidiscoupe The intermediate carrier comes into business is a shaft or tape carrying toner. This is true: for 1 turnover 1 color is superimposed, then another cartridge is served in the desired location, and the second one is put on top of the first picture. Four passes are enough to formed a full picture - it will go on paper. But the device itself will work 4 times slower than its black and white fellow.

How the printer works with single-pass technology? In this case, all four separate printing mechanism have general management - They are lined up in one rank, each has its own laser block with a portable roller. So paper and goes on the drum, consistently collecting all four images of cartridges. Only after this passage sheet goes into the stove where the picture is fixed.

The advantages of laser printers made them favorites to work with documentation, both in the office and home conditions. And information about the internal component of their work will help any user in time to notice the shortcomings and contact service For technical support for the functioning of the device.

16.01.1997

Today there are printers for every taste: fast monochrome laser and universal colored inkjet, office printers and home printers. It remains only to make a choice ... New Software, New Monochrome Prices

Today there are printers for every taste: fast monochrome laser and universal colored inkjet, office printers and home printers. It remains only to make a choice ...

So, let's begin. If you need to equip small or home Office, pay attention to the best models in our list of monochrome printers. All of them provide the quality of the print quality of standard text documents for business applications and are quite suitable for halftone printing.

If you want to print your own mail forms, cross-stuff patterns, digitized photos, or if you are a proud parent of a first grader who prefers Kidpix (drawing tablet) with color pencils, then a new generation of colored inkjet printers will offer you software, ink and printed media that in A condition to satisfy all creative requests for this kind and even much big.

Moreover, the active war price in the market in combination with seasonal discounts brought great benefits to the budget of each buyer.

All printers that tested this month are 500 dollars or less, and some are significantly less. For example, Okidata OKIPAGE 4W monochrome LED printer costs only $ 299. Colored inkjet printers are even cheaper, so Canon's BJC-240 printer (number five in the table) costs only $ 179 new DESKJET 400 and LaserJet 6P printers manufactured by Hewlett-Packard CANON's BJC-620 and LBP-465 BJC-620 and LBP-465 were not represented on time and did not participate in testing.

Unfortunately, until no printer is able to fulfill everything that you may need to be used. But two of our winners of the title " The best choice"- Panasonic KX-P6100 monochrome laser printer (399 dollars) and Stylus Color 500 - Epson Colored Inkjet Printer ($ 279) - provide the best combination of opportunities, performance and prices to arrange a typical user.

New software, new prices

With the exception of the Okipage 4W miniature printer, Okidata company, none of the tested printers made a coup in technology. Instead, suppliers focused basic efforts to enrich the selection of software, expanding the capabilities of the printer, and at lower prices. For example, Epson Stylus Color 500 occupies the same niche in the market as Stylus Color II. According to print quality, he can, a little bit better, but the main difference between printers is in price. Stylus Color II costs $ 450, and Stylus Color 500 is only 279, and the package of the latter includes a software package on a CD-ROM, which is sold separately for about $ 140.

For holidays, store shelves filled with new printers, and make right choice It became not easy. So, before you go to the store, check out our advice.

Monochrome or color? The solution to the question of which printer is preferred is monochrome or color, it should be determined by the fact that you are going to print. Colored inkjet printers make the schedule of all types more attractive. In addition, thanks to the attached software and additional materials, they unexpectedly easily allow to create many things - from first-class business cards to drawings on T-shirts and home "publishing and sewing" projects (see insert). However, monochrome laser and LED printers are still better coping with boring, but necessary text documents that most users print in the office. On average, the laser printer is much faster than the inkjet, gives more distinct text, especially on ordinary paper, and its operation costs cheaper.

Latest Barcode: Colored Inkjet Printers are more universal, especially at home, but professional users, in front of which there is no special task to print in color (let's say, creating presentation materials), a laser or LED printer is suitable. Only one HP Deskjet 820cse color inkjet printer is able to print both the text of excellent quality and bright graphic images.

Print quality: advantages and disadvantages.Almost all tested monochrome laser and LED printers give enough clear text and bar graphs for standard business purposes. However, halftone images, such as photos, can be blurred or "striped". HP LaserJet 5L Xtra is a pleasant exception to this rule.

The results of the work of colored inkjet printers differ more significantly. Despite the advertising statements of manufacturers, even the best text of the text obtained on the inkjet printer, looks slightly toothed compared to the text printed on a laser printer with a resolution of only 300 dpi. Nevertheless, the inkjet device came out from under the pen is quite suitable for business use. On the other hand, halftone made on the inkjet printer often look better than images printed on a laser or LED device. Each inkjet printer has its strengths. Thus, the DESKJET 820CSE printer of the Hewlett-Packard company, which prints beautiful charts on ordinary paper, lags behind the best inkjet printers in terms of printing photos. On the contrary, the CANON BJC-4200 printer provides boring and inexpressive business graphics, but when using special paper and ink, he prints stunning photo images.

Several truthful words about speed. Sadly, but the fact: high print speed - rarity among personal printers. Sellers talk about high print speeds, but most of the models when testing at ordinary everyday tasks do not reach these indicators, especially when displaying graphics to the entire page. However, when printing conventional monochrome text, colored inkjet printers can be very slow. Today's printers, as a rule, transmit "dirty" computer work, so printing productivity depends on the speed of your PC, the size of the RAM used operating system, Programs used for printing, and the complexity of printed files.

Paper trays: either small or even less. You should not expect from the personal printers of high performance devices for supplying paper or high containers of trays - these advantages are characteristic of more advanced models. In most personal printers, trays are calculated only by 100 sheets; Few devices, such as NEC SuperScript 860 or Brother HL-720, are designed for 200 sheets (it is convenient when you print long documents and strive to avoid a frequent reboot). A device that allows you to feed envelopes or mail forms without removing content from tray for standard paper, usually have all laser printers and is very rarely found at the jet.

Pay attention as paper comes out of the printer. Most monochrome printers are displayed by default. But the Laser printer SuperScript 860 of the company NEC and all colored inkjet printers are displayed by paper up, so when printing multi-page documents last page It turns out on top. Some inexpensive printers, such as Canon BJC-240, are cheaper due to the lack of a receiving tray. Sheets of paper fall on your table or just on the floor.

Differences in convenience. Basic operations with a printer, such as loading paper and changing cartridges, must be performed simply. To help the user, manufacturers provide control buttons that guide paper feeds, ink cartridge holders or painting powder cartridges, visually showing how to use all this. For example, Stylus Color 500 manufactured by Epson has a mini-description on the inside of the lid.

We also searched a simple and understandable control software that would also have additional features, such as printing multiple pages of a reduced format on one sheet. If you have trouble diagnostics and instructions displayed on the computer screen, the position may be saved; All Hewlett-Packard production printers included in the table are perfectly able to do it. Plug & Play technology supported by all printers listed in the table ensures easy installation in windows Environment 95. The HP LaserJet 5L Xtra printer is much longer than the rest - on the CD-ROM attached to it there is a multimedia lesson for installing a printer. On the other hand, the installation of the OPTRA E Printer Lexmark is difficult to further complicate: the package includes several disks with the inscription "Disk # 1", so it is impossible to decide which one should be used first; And when loading the driver, you must select Optra E from the long list of printers of this company.

Cost supplies. With long-term use, the cost of toner cartridges or ink and other consumables may exceed the cost of the printer itself. A simple text page or a small picture does not require a lot of coloring substance, another thing is when it comes to a large full-color image.

Perceive the information of the suppliers about the cost of operation with the share of skepticism, as well as their statements about the speed of printing. The sheet obtained on the laser or LED printer usually costs 2.5 - 3.5 cents; The sheet pressed on the inkjet printer is usually a few cents more expensive. Depending on the number of toner or ink used, the complete-page graphics can cost from 12 to 40 cents. Paper for inkjet printers is also more expensive. Inkjet printers, unlike laser, to obtain high-quality images require special paper, which can cost from a couple of cents per sheet (paper for everyday use) to $ 2 (for glossy, similar to paper, intended for printing high quality photos) .

Service and technical support. The materials of the previous review indicate that half of the printers have a guarantee of two years and even more. Now from all the necessary devices only NEC SuperScript 860 and Epson Stylus Color 500 have a two-year warranty. Free technical support is still distributed, although Lexmark and HP will ask you to pay a telephone conversation. Canon, HP, NEC offer a printer replacement during the day in case of its failure.

WEB-Pages Suppliers In addition to the data on the products themselves offer different levels of support. There are many new versions of drivers, FAQ (answers to the most frequently asked questions), the ability to ask questions by email. But at the same time, some pages are organized more convenient than others.

The HP node includes so many products that traveling through it takes too much time. Loading some pages occurs for a very long time; So, Canon and Epson were especially slow even with our 38,8 Kbps modem. The NEC WEB page contains a list of electronic technical support addresses instead of providing references or forms for urgent circulation, in addition to the FAQ on it relate to computers, not printers.

Monochrome printers

Panasonic KX-P6100

Price:399 dollars, page cost 2.6 cent Print speed:text - 5.7 pages per minute, graphics - 2.3 pages per minute Print quality: Easy to use: very good Panasonic, tel. In the USA: 800 / 742-8086 http://www.panasonic.com.

Printers come and go, and Panasonic KX-P6100 heads the first ten monochrome printers throughout the year. This is the last "remaining" model with a resolution of 300 dpi wins in faster models with a higher resolution, since it has good opportunities, and costs only $ 399.

The technology of improving the resolution of Panasonic models allows you to get the same clear text, as with a resolution of 600 dpi, and halftone graphics often look even better. Since the printer with a resolution of 300 dpi perm delivers less points on a page than a printer with a resolution of 600 dpi, then the KX-P6100 is also a quick printer, especially in graphical mode.

The KX-P6100 has other advantages - it takes little space on the table and has software that allows you to save paper and output two or four miniature pages on one sheet. The cost of operation is low, since you have the ability to fill the cartridge used when printing the graphics using a skillfully constructed vial, which is almost impossible to pour. However, you can confuse the feed tray with the toner door. The only flaw weathered is the lack of manual feeding of mail forms and envelopes.

Brother HL-720

Price: 350 dollars, page cost 2.5 cent Print speed: Text - 5.4 pages per minute, graphics - 1.1 pages per minute Print quality: text - excellent, graphics - good Easy to use:very good Brother int "L, tel. In the USA: 800 / 267-7746 http://www.brother.com.

Large sizes and device itself, and tray for paper output do not allow the Brother HL-720 printer too elegant, but if you do not pay attention to aesthetics, this is a suitable mechanism with an attractive low price.

It works faster than most inexpensive laser printers with a resolution of 600 dpi, and it has relatively good print quality, especially when outputting smooth halftone images. Provided various methods Paper feed, there is a large tray (for 200 sheets). The design of the feed mechanism eliminates the paper jam; It is possible to print on the facial and on the back of the sheet. The printer comes with the program SURF "N" PRINT for printing pages Web. and other documents in the form of brochures. Brother sells various configurations based on this basic device. The HL-730 printer (400 dollars) is almost completely identical to the HL-720 printer, except that it can use PCL 4 or PCL 5E languages \u200b\u200bfor DOS applications; Most personal printers allow you to do this from the DOS window in the Windows environment. HL-730DX (400 dollars) is similar to HL-730, but its software is added to the Windows Font Management Utility.

Nec Superscript 860.

Price:499 dollars, page cost 3 cent Print speed:text - 6.9 pages per minute, graphics - 1.7 pages per minute Print quality: Text - excellent, graphics - moderately good Easy to use: OK NEC, tel. In the USA: 800 / 632-4636 http://www.nec.com

According to the personal printers standards, the SuperScript 860 laser device works exclusively quickly. This is the only printer in the top ten, designed on the basis of a mechanism that allows you to print 8 pages per minute. In our tests, he was ahead of Brother's HL-720, the second speed laser printer with a resolution of 600 dpi in. In our list: SuperScript 860 prints text on 28 and 55% graphics faster.

Its retail price ($ 499 is the highest in our review, but a discount of $ 50, operating until January 31, is a good move, besides, for this price, the buyer receives a two-year warranty. Superscript 860 also has the best tools for software management that we have ever had the opportunity to see: exhaustive screen guide and flexible control allow you to easily print brochures, create watermarks, etc. Unfortunately, the print quality happens different. Text and bar illustrations are clearly, and graininess is noticeable on halftone.

Another deficiency of the NEC printer is an imperfect paper feeding technology. It has a big tray of 200 sheets, but unlike most laser printers, it displays the sheets face up, so the last page of the document turns out to be top. You can use a second paper tray so that the sheets are faceted side down, but in this form the printer will take more space.

Panasonic KX-P6500

Price: 449 dollars, page cost 2.5 cent Print speed:text - 5.4 pages per minute, graphics - 1 page per minute Print quality: text - excellent, graphics - very good Easy to use:very good Panasonic, tel. In the USA: 800 / 742-8086 http://www.panasonic.com.

The Panasonic KX-P6500 printer is slightly more expensive than the best of KX-P6100 monochrome printers. KX-P6500 - its modification that has a resolution of 600 dpi. Both models have an elegant tower structure, simple software control and an economical cartridge that allows for re-refill. We preferred KX-P6100 because it is $ 50 cheaper, and its print quality is almost as good. If you print a lot with small font, then for you it is preferable to KX-P6500 due to its clearer printing. But he, like the KX-P6100, does not have a manual envelope feed, and its paper feed tray can be confused with a toner door.

We conducted KX-P6500 repeated tests with new versions of drivers. Its speed increased, but in our tests he worked as much slower than the KX-6100. Compared to other inexpensive printers that have a resolution of 600 dpi, this model gives the average quality when printing graphics and quality is slightly above average for text documents.

HP LaserJet 5L Xtra

Price:479 dollars, page cost 3.3 cent Print speed: Text - 3.9 pages per minute, graphics - 0.7 pages per minute Print quality:text - excellent, graphics - excellent Easy to use:excellent Hewlett-Packard, tel. In the USA: 800 / 752-0900 http://www.hp.com

If the HP LaserJet 5L Xtra is slightly cheaper and somewhat faster, then this mechanism that has replaced LaserJet 5L would become an almost perfect personal laser printer. "Xtra" means that the printer is equipped with a CD-ROM with all sorts of programs - from utilities for printing labels and brochures to a diary with medical guidelines.

The quality of LaserJet 5L XTRA print quality is one of the best personal printers that we had to see, especially in halftonus graphics, such as a photo. The universal paper feeder allows you to select a paper output method: face up or down. The printer is very easy to use, has a well-organized on-screen directory, multimedia assistance for installing and diagnostic tools embedded in its software.

With all these advantages of LaserJet 5L XTRA - the slowest monochrome printer in the review. If you need first speed, it is better to choose SuperScript 860 manufactured by NEC. 5L Xtra (479 dollars) is almost as expensive, and at the same time he has a modest annual warranty and paid technical support by phone. However, in the event of HP breakdown, replace the printer during the day.

Colored printers

Epson Stylus Color 500

Price:$ 279, cost of black and white page 3.8 cent, color - 13 cents Print speed: Text - 1.1 pages per minute, graphics - 0.4 pages per minute Print quality: Easy to use: very good Epson, tel. In the USA: 800/463-7766 http://www.epson.com.

Our "best choice" among colored printers is the new Stylus Color 500 of Epson. He made at us the most favorable impression in almost every respect. This device works faster than most colored inkjet printers, one of the best print quality; The cost of the printed page is quite low. It is also one of the few personal printers having a two-year warranty.

If you use Epson paper with a special coating (13 cents per sheet), then the paints are not absorbed into the surface, and photographic images look great even without special photos, which are used in the HP Deskjet 693c printers, Canon BJC-240 and BJC-4200. Printing on ordinary paper is also bright and attractive, although random dots can make text symbols fuzzy.

Anyone who suffered over mysterious pictograms applied on the printer housing, appreciate the buttons and indicators with intuitive labeling and short instructions printed under the lid and on the paper tray. Stylus 500 does not have a manual feed tray, but you can use it in this quality, removing paper from it before printing envelopes or postal blanks. And although the software kit on a CD, which includes Sierra Print Artist and Adobe Photomagic packages, is very fun, it does not have a comparison with a double CD software supplied with Canon jet printers.

Canon BJC-4200

Price:279 dollars, cost of one black and white page 4 cents, color - 14 cents Print speed: Text - 1.1 pages per minute, graphics - 0.2 pages per minute Print quality: Easy to use:very good Canon Computer Systems, tel. In the USA: 800 / 848-4123 http://www.ccsi.canon.com.

Some printers reach a high position in our rank beabies due to high speed; Others - due to the perfect print quality. The CANON BJC-4200 Color Inkjet Printer has become the first thanks to the stunning set of programs. Canon Creative 2 is a double CD with a collection of a variety of home and small office utilities. You (and your children) can create greeting cards, pictures, calendars, stickers, embroidery patterns with cross, illustrations, picture books, etc. As a print medium, you can choose translation sheets and flap for patchwork blankets. You can use luminous ink. The Canon on-screen manual is easy to read, and print options allow you to adjust the speed and quality.

If it were not for such an amazing variety of abilities, BJC-4200 would not get such a high rating. It works more slowly than HP and Epson inkjet printers from the top ten, color on ordinary paper are somewhat faded, monochrome text looks a bit blurred. Set for printing photos for 45 dollars. Contains a special color cartridge and paper and reproduces very expressive images, although they are less photorealistic than CANON advertising is promoted.

HP Deskjet 820cse

Price:$ 389, the cost of one black and white page 4 cent, color - 12 cents Print speed:text - 3.8 pages per minute, graphics - 0.3 pages per minute Print quality: text - good, graphics - very good Easy to use: excellent Hewlett-Packard, tel. In the USA: 800 / 752-0900 http://www.hp.com

If you need a color print, but you have not yet decided whether to refuse speed and high quality text obtained on a laser printer, pay attention to HP Deskjet 820cse. While he cannot compete in speed with a laser printer, but this is the fastest inkjet printer in the review. A C. the newest drivers It showed even higher speed. On the definition of printing, even on ordinary paper is not inferior to imprints made on the laser printer, and simple graphics - charts and bar images - looks bright. But HP Deskjet 820cse has no additional tools for working with photos (for example, special ink).

Print easy - due to understandable Deskjet software, on-screen diagnostics on simple english language And manual feed tray for envelopes and other special media. Educational program with CD-ROM Quick Start does not overload you too much. Its main advice is to contact a very good printed manual.

The price of HP ($ 389) is high in comparison with other inkjet printers, but the package includes a copy of the first-class desktop publishing package Microsoft Picture Publisher, which is separately sold for $ 70. The printer has two drawbacks: the price includes the guarantee only for one year and Technical support is provided for the fee.

HP Deskjet 693c.

Price:$ 349, cost of one black and white page 5 cents, color - 17 cents Print speed:text - 1.7 pages per minute, graphics - 0.3 pages per minute Print quality:text - good, graphics - very good Easy to use: excellent Hewlett-Packard, tel. In the USA: 800 / 752-0900 http://www.hp.com

No matter how we like the HP Printers of the Deskjet series, you should recognize that they have long lagging behind Epson and Canon inkjet printers on part of printing color photographs. Now it is not. HP Deskjet 693C uses supplied separately for $ 49. Set for printing photos with special ink and paper, allowing you to get quite decent prints. However, as canon applications, HP promises are also somewhat exaggerated. In fact, the result is of such quality that you never confuse it with real pictures.

Model 693C works faster than many inkjet printers that we tested, and print quality with conventional ink is pretty good. Like the Deskjet 820cse, it has a well-designed program control and manual feed tray. In contrast to the 820cse, which is focused on business applications, 693c is designed for families with children. It comes with the Disney 101 Dalmatians Print Studio package on a CD-ROM, allowing you to create everything on a "dog" topic: postcards, posters, mats, etc. If you are a business user and do not need business cards painted under the skin of the Dalmatian Dog, you can save about $ 20, buying the Deskjet 690c is the same printer, but without additional software, or even $ 50, paying $ 299 . For an older, but similar Deskjet 682c. One big loss: HP abandoned the standard three-year warranty, now it offers only one-year, although there is an opportunity to extend.

Canon BJC-240

Price: 179 dollars, cost of one black and white page 6 cents, color - 12 cents Print speed:text - 1.1 pages per minute, graphics - 0.2 pages per minute Print quality: text - good, graphics - good Easy to use:satisfactorily Canon Computer Systems, tel. In the USA: 800 / 848-4123 http://www.ccsi.canon.com.

As you should expect, the print quality of the inkjet printer falls along with the price. But if you can't spend more than $ 200, think about the acquisition of the BJC-240 - the simplest printer of Canon. It comes along with the same set of Creative 2 print utilities, as more expensive BJC-4200, and works with sets for printing photos, translated sheets for mucas and other things.

However, BJC-240 operates simultaneously with only one cartridge, so the cartridge has to be changed during the transition from color printing to monochrome and vice versa. The printer creates a black color in color documents by mixing the colored ink. Like other cheap inkjet printers, BJC-240 has no output tray, so you need to leave a place on the table for pages overlooking the printer. If you are not too disturbing the low speed of this model, then quite a good quality makes it a useful home device.

In several rows

These printers were tested, but did not score the necessary points to enter the top ten.

Canon BJC-4550

This color inkjet printer for $ 499 is absolutely identical to the BJC-4200 except that its wider cartridge is able to take sheets of paper 2795431 mm. Artists who create a graph of large sizes will appreciate not only this, but also its compatibility with Macintosh.

Canon Computer Systems, tel. In the USA: 800 / 848-4123 http://www.ccsi.canon.com.

Lexmark Optra E.

Due to the error Lexmark, we test this monochrome laser printer ($ 499) with a preliminary version of the driver. But with the final version of the OPTRA E driver showed a low speed, in addition, we had difficulty in printing some of the comprehensive images with standard 1 MB.

LEXMARK INT "L, tel. In the USA: 800 / 891-0331 http://www.lexmark.com.

Okidata Okipage 4W.

Small, before indecent cheap, without excesses Okipage 4W for $ 299 - this is a monochrome LED printer in an economical case. Although it has a satisfactory print quality, it works slowly. In addition, multi-page documents are folded in reverse order. He has one tray that is used for both clean paper and printed sheets; They are divided by a partition, but sometimes it is difficult to say what needs to be done - fill the submission section or release the output section.

Okidata, tel. In the USA: 800 / 654-3282 http://www.okidata.com. Harry McCraken - PC WORL editor. Testing was conducted by Dave Casini from PC World Test Center. A freelance editor John L. Jekobi has worked on this article.

The best choice

Ahead of Panasonic and Epson

Our winners of the title "Best Selection" have all rights to this: they are fast, give excellent print quality and easy to use. From monochrome printers, this title was received by Panasonic KX P6100 (399 dollars) - a model with a resolution of 300 dpi in the "Tower" body, whose speed and print quality allowed her to survive on the market crowded with competitors who have a resolution of 600 dpi. From the color "Best Selection" - this is Epson Stylus Color 500 ($ 279), one of the few personal printers with a standard two-year warranty.

Thanks to the technology of improving the resolution, the Panasonic printer with a resolution of 300 dpi per inch provides the same image quality as the model with a resolution of 600 dpi.

On paper with a coated, good print quality of the Epson printer becomes simply great.

Measure the space required for the paper feed tray

Some printers look as if they do not need a lot of space, but it is until you reveal the trays to feed and output paper. When determining whether the printer will fit on your table, rest assured that all trays are fully open and ready to use.

Refer to Web servers for updated versions of drivers

If the printer lay on the shelf in the store, he can come with an outdated version of his own driver. Check on the manufacturer's Web server or in the support forum, are you owner current version. In addition, sellers often distribute new versions of drivers with higher productivity and better print quality, as well as additional features.

Check the manufacturer of cartridges with ink and toner

Do you make ink cartridge reserves and toner? Check the shelf life before buying - old cartridges can dry, and print quality will be unsatisfactory. Do not buy many cartridges right away, otherwise they will dry up before you use them.

Buy a good parallel port cable

If the new printer works poorly, the culprit can be an outdated parallel port cable that is not able to cope with the increased amount of data. You need a bidirectional cable that meets the IEEE 1284 standard; Old or cheap cable can cause low-quality printing and other troubles.

Software and additional materials turn printers in mini-typography

Now it is not enough to simply print notes for memory. Inkjet printers are supplied with software and can use special inks, paper and printed media to create all things - from the inscriptions on T-shirts to comics. The range of modern opportunities is simply amazing.

Posters:you can print a giant poster on any printer, but usually paper strips of paper have to glue. HP Deskjet 693C and Epson Stylus Color 500, and Epson Stylus Color 500 can print on folded paper, so printed on health long posters and do not glue anything.

Glowing posters: If you have a soul stayed in the sixties and never throw your kerosene lamp, love rosary and incense, you will enjoy the possibility of Canon BJC-240 and BJC-4200 to produce graphics glowing in the dark using a cartridge with special ink. In the darkened room, these pages give a glow, similar to neon, able to return you to the summer of your first love. Page price is reasonable: about 12 cents for BJC-240, 14 cents for BJC-4200.

Comics: Canon jet printers are equipped with simple comic designer. The best of those that we have seen is Lexmark Color Jetprinter 2050 Comic Creator (the printer itself was too slow to get into the top ten). It allows you to mount, as it seems an unlimited set of muscular heroes, ruthless villains, background paintings and air bubbles with words in a comic book, which can be printed or look at the screen. The twelve-year-old all ages will be delighted.

Greeting Cards: All inkjet printers in our dozen come with programs for printing greeting cards that are more individual and economical than commercially available. Canon software allows you to make reveal postcards; You print a postcard, then cut out and gently fold along the stroke line to get a postcard- "folding bed".

Patchwork blankets. You are offered new way Creating an American patchwork blanket. Canon sells fabric flaps with a size of 24x35 cm ($ 33.95 per package of 10 pieces) that can be skipped through inkjet printers of this company and use as a material for patchwork blankets. Seam them among themselves, of course, still have to have, but nevertheless canon simplifies the process of creating products with unique patterns.

T-shirts.Canon and Epson with its inkjet printers supply software that allows you to print an inverted image to a translation sticker with an iron.

The main technical difficulty is to act correctly, so as not to welcome the tissue film. Each translation sheet is a couple of dollars, so the process is not too expensive, unless, of course, you do not intend to produce large parties.

There is only one problem with all these possibilities of printers: over time it may turn out that money is spent on ink and paper more than the printer itself. Since printers prices have fallen significantly, manufacturers will undoubtedly be happy to sell you as much consumables.

10 best personal printers

n / n - not applicable

Properties	Monochrome printers					Colored printers
	Panasonic KX-P6100 *	Brother HL-720	NEC Super-Script 860	Panasonic KX-P6500	HP LaserJet 5L Xtra	Epson Stylus Color 500 *	Canon BJC-4200	HP Deskjet 820cse	HP Deskjet 639c.	Canon BJC-240
Price, dollars	399	350	499	449	479	279	279	389	349	179
Printer type	Laser	Laser	Laser	Laser	Laser	jet	jet	jet	jet	jet
Maximum resolution in monochrome mode, dots per inch	1200x300	600x600.	600x600.	2400x600.	600x600.	720x720.	720x360.	600x600.	600x600.	720x360.
Maximum resolution in color mode, dots per inch	N / P.	N / P.	N / P.	N / P.	N / P.	720x360.	720x360.	600x300	600x300	360x360.
Maximum print speed, pages per minute	6	6	8	6	4	4	5	5	3	4
Standard / Maximum RAM, KB	256/256	512/2000	1000/5000	512/4500	1000/9000	56/56	64/64	128/128	512/512	32/32
Width x depth x height, including trays and cables, cm	13.2x37,8x28.7	36.6x35.3x24.	37.1x42.9x23,1	13.2x37,8x28.7	33.5x31.2x226	43.2x24.9x19,8	38.3X29.2X19	44.4x39.6x226.	43.7x40.6x20,1	36.1x48.3x17,3
Weight, kg	5,76	5,72	8,12	5,76	6,36	4,4	3,08	5,72	4,64	2,2
Plug & Play.	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Energy saving	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
The greatest size	Legal.	Legal.	Legal.	Legal.	Legal.	banner	Legal.	Legal.	banner	Legal.
Tray Capacity, Sheets	100	200	200	100	100	100	100	150	100	100
Number of envelopes	10	20	5	10	10	10	15	15	20	15
Warranty, years	1	1	2	1	1	2	1	1	1	1
Support in www.	not	not	not	not	Yes	not	not	Yes	Yes	not

Personal printers: choice problem

Offset complexes

The product on the market is not for a simple manual, there are specially trained people with it. Offset complexes use special typographic paints that have a constant degree of viscosity. With the help of an offset complex, you can very quickly prepare a huge color or monochrome circulation from a specific master layout.

Risographs (duplicators)

The risograph will help you in a short time to get a large one-color circulation from a single instance. Paint, which is used in risographs, is significantly different from the typographic - it is more viscous, based on polymers. What is the risograph for? So that your office copying technique has undergone less load and wear, and you saved your money. The cost of an imprint made on a risograph is about 60% lower than the cost of the same copy made on the usual copying machine.

Colored copiers

The basis of the work of color copiers is the process of xerography. In color copiers there are many subspecies: digital single-component copiers with one drum, digital two-component copiers with one drum, digital single-component copiers with 4 drums; Digital two-component copiers with 4 drums, analog single-component copies with one drum; Analog two component copiers with one drum.

Let's try to figure out more detail that they represent. To do this, first describe some concepts.

Analog Copier - through the mirror system directly transmits the image to the photo selection. The light of the exposure lamp serves as a source of illumination of the photoreceptor.

A digital copier - copies the image into RAM using a scanner and displays a print file through a laser printer. There is already a laser beam is a source of illumination of the photoreceptor.

A single-component copier is a device that when printing uses a toner, which is a polymer and a developer (carrier) in a replaceable tube or cartridge.

A two-component copier is a device that when printing uses a toner from a pure polymer. The image is transferred with a manifest unit in which the toner in a certain consistency is mixed with the carrier.

It is this process that is considered more reliable, but it is also more complex. It's all about the minimum toner contact density and the photoreceptor. A two-component process is more expensive than one-component service, but at the same time the toner will cost you cheaper.

The toner for the cartridge is a finely filling polymer, which can be single or two-component. It melts under the influence of high temperature and literally "comes out" into the paper. The smaller the toner particle, the more subtle line it is capable of printing. In modern devices, the toner allows you to print lines from 1200dpi to 2400dpi.

A single-trumped copier differs from the thaw-babbled in that in a single-trumped copier, the image is projected by one photoreceptor through the application of four components (toner) CMYK, and in the four-hard-drum, the image of each color is applied to its photoreceptor, after which it consists in a single picture due to the transmission belt.

Black and White (Monochrome) Copiers

The only difference between monochrome copies from color is an application in the process of working toner of a single black color. Color images are transmitted with gray shades of different saturation. They are divided into the same types as color copiers, with the exception of devices with four drums. Each species is divided into three subspecies: Copying devices for personal use, Copiers for a small office and copiers for a large office (from 20 people).

Colored laser printers

Colored laser printers in the printed process apply xerography technology similar to the method of working color copiers. The main difference lies in different formats original file.. The original file in the color laser printer is less capacious, so the printer is able to perform several tasks at once. Recent developments maximally balanced this difference between printers and copiers, so it ceased to be the main one. If you buy a color printer and a high-quality scanner, and install the desired software, then get a digital copying device. The only drawback is the time to prepare for the copy process slightly increase.

Basic classification of printers:

single-component colored laser printers with one photo seventor;

two-component colored laser printers with one photoreceptor;

single-component color laser printers with four photo seventors;

single-component color laser printers tandem printing;

single-component colored laser printers using photo tapes for image transmission.

Single-component colored laser printers with one and four photoreceptors (the first and third group) are divided, in turn, on the subgroups. At the heart of the classification - the number of participants in the printing process: one person (personal), a small group of people in the office, a group of people from 20 people in a large office.

Tandem printing is a special device (in our case the printer), which has the ability to print on both sides at the same time at the same speed as the usual one-sided sheet. Such efficiency is provided by eight photoreceptors located equally from below. On this printer, it is easier than on a duplex printer, combine images from two sides (combining crosses) due to the lack of need to register the sheet again when turning it on the other side to print.

Duplex is a bilateral gear mechanism, the principle of operation of which is based on a turn of an imprint inside the device (in some models, the imprint may go out). Any model range of color printers allows duplex equipment.

Monochrome laser printers

Monochrome laser printers, like their color columns, are used in the process of printing the process of xerography. The only difference from color printers is a similar black toner. In addition to a class with four photo seventors, the classification of black and white laser printers is completely identical to the classification of color laser printers. The process of tandem printing is carried out thanks to two photoreceptors. Just like a color printer, a monochrome laser printer of any model range can be equipped with a duplex.

LED Color Printers LED

LED laser printers in the printing process apply the process of xerography. From laser printers, LED printers distinguishes the illumination of the photoreceptor, which is carried out by the LED line.

Colored LED printers are divided into classes, like laser and copiers:

single-component color printers with one photoreceptor

single-component color printers with four photo seventors

two-component color printers with one photoreceptor

single-component color print printers

LED monochrome LED printers

Monochrome LED printers differ from color analogs using only one black toner. Classification of black and white LED printers A similar classification of non-ferrous, with the exception of the devices with four drums.

Colored jet printers

Inkjet colored printers are used in the process of printing ink two species - alcohol and water based. Printed processes are classified as follows: air-bubble process (one point is a peak of a tiny bubble) and a drip process (one point is one ink drop).

As for the print heads of printers, they are also divided into two types: electric and piezo. The technology of piezo is used mainly in the printers of the company with, where the drip printed process prevails. The air-bubble printing process is characteristic of Canon printers, and the printhead has such a printer of an electric species. HP also applies an electrical head technology in its printers, but printers are printed with drops, like Epson printers.

Inkjet printers replaces the print head with an ink bunker, printing cartridge and inkwell. It is thanks to inkjet printers you can get a higher fill density (that is, a certain amount of Drops in the form of points per inch image), so the inkjet printer will become your indispensable assistant in a home photo laboratory.

Colored inkjet printers classified as:

colored Inkjet Printers for Personal Use

colored inkjet photo printers for personal use

colored Inkjet Printers for Office

colored Inkjet Photographs for Office

colored Inkjet Printers for Professional Use

colored inkjet photo printers for professional use.

In addition, printer formats are also distinguished: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0. Plotters call the printers of formats A2, A1 and A0. The printing process on such printers allows you to use a wider than on laser printers, a paper selection.

Monochrome inkjet printers

Manufacturers try to move away from the release of a model range of black and white inkjet printers. However, this process is quite long, so we still can meet their homes or in the office. The main accumulation of such devices is observed in places with a mass black and white seal (printing overhead for warehouse, bank statements and other). From color inkjet printers monochrome differ in the use of monochrome black ink. For other parameters (classification, print head design and printing technology), they are absolutely identical to color inkjet printers.

Harderial colored printers

In hardening color printers, printing technology resembles the inkjet printing process. However, harderial color printers are used when printing a non-ferrous polymer that melts in the printhead. The printhead itself can be exclusively electrical. The harderial printer is convenient for applying images or texts on media or objects on which conventional inks do not hold (fold, do not dry out), and the use of toner technology for specific materials is unreal (when the carrier does not heat up to the desired temperature).

Hardering monochrome printers

Black and white monochrome printers are printed with only one-sole black. Both monochrome, and colored harderial printers are prepared for a very long time for the operation mode and give a small print resolution, because the print head nozzles cannot be made very thin.

Dear visitor, you went to the site as an unregistered user. We recommend you register or log in under your name.

Printers are matrix, inkjet, sublimation and laser, and in color printing - monochrome and multicolor.

Monochrome printers that work on the laser principle are reproducing images by the xerography method. From their color "fellow" they differ only in the presence of only one black paint.

There are monochrome devices that are designed for home use, and there is and what is most suitable for large companies and offices.

Features of monochrome printers

Black and white printing devices are more compact compared to color. In addition, their differences is economy.

Similar printers, on average, 20-60 pages per minute can print. Almost everyone has network support, trays for receiving and receiving paper and finishing devices.

Monochrome laser printers are capable of providing good print quality.

If you compare the inkjet and laser printers with a black and white device, the laser model will show the best print speed and the imprint price will be much lower.

For home use

The inexpensive monochrome printer will be a profitable purchase for the use of schoolchildren and students, teachers and teachers.

And the moms of kids can use such a printer for printing tutorials and paintings-color.

As a rule, a laser printer is a bit more expensive than inkjet. But its advantage is cheaper service and operation.

For institutions, firms and offices

Black and white printing equipment is universally applied by many companies. Continated contracts and other legal documents are freely printed. In addition, owners of such devices can provide print services or sell copies of blanks.

In schools often use similar devices for "reproduction" copies of various benefits and methods.

In medical institutions, they are used to decorate patient cards.

Economical monochrome Kyocera printers

The economical printer Kyocera FS-4100DN Japanese production will be a real find in the era of economy. Most of the devices of this brand are designed to work in small and medium offices.

Features:

• in class, the lowest printing costs;
• 45 pages per minute in A4 format with a resolution of up to 1200 dpi dpi;
• to reduce paper consumption - print in N-UP mode and double-sided printing;
• standard configuration - Gigabit Ethernet network interface;
• convenient printing directly from a USB drive;
• for ease of entering the password - a keyboard with a protected print function.

This high-performance laser monochrome A4 printer fits perfectly into any network medium and is able to print up to 45 pages per minute. It features the use of identification cards to improve the security system, protect the hard disk and the safe print function.

This monochrome printer A3, thanks to various processing capabilities and an enlarged paper volume, quickly processes even great tasks. And with touch and module wireless communication Just and conveniently carry out mobile printing.

The advantages of the printer allocate the following:

• using a common driver, lightness of printing for everyone;
• large amount of documents with high print speed - up to 56 ppm;
• universal features of laying and supplying paper into the stapler, perforator-booklet, stacker;
• one touch simplified processing of tasks: the ability to quickly move with a color, large, touch screen between tasks;
• thanks to the technology of rapid fastening toner, there is no need to wait, which allows you to significantly save electricity.

This model of laser monochrome is designed to print with mobile devices and lightweight network printing. In addition, it supports Wi-Fi.

The device is endowed with the function of automatic double-sided printing. Network energy-saving functions allow you to save time. This model is ideal for home use or a small office.

Automatic image filtering and high quality resolution 1200x1200 dots per inch will receive documents with high graphics details and clear text.

Benefits:

• using a special Canon Mobile Printing application, a simple printing from mobile devices is available;
• the best in its class in energy efficiency;
• fast printing in improved quality (up to 25 ppm);
• save time and means on consumables allows automatic double-sided printing.

For daily use - OKI B431DN

If you need a laser monochrome printer for home, which will ensure high productivity without undue expense moneyMany sellers will recommend you OKI B431.

This desktop printer is easy to use and provide advanced performance capabilities. Among the advantages can be allocated:

• the large resource supply of consumables provides low printability of prints;
• monochrome printing with the yield of the first page after 5 seconds (at a speed of 38 ppm.);
• dPI permission provides prints in highest quality with a detailed study of the smallest elements;
• double-sided automatic printing (the paper stock can be expanded to 880 sheets);
• mode "Energy Saving": will reduce power consumption up to 8 W.

In operation - exceptional simplicity:

• long service life of consumables that are easily and in seconds are replaced;
• control panel with backlit and LCD.

LaserJet M604N.

This very fast monochrome laser printer supports various extensions, convenient in operation and has a minimal impact on the environment.

With a four-storey display and a ten-pointer panel for PIN printing, tasks and settings are quickly tracked.

Using automated double-sided printing and additional trays with a capacity of up to 3,600 sheets, it is convenient to print large projects.

By adding a paper feeder with preliminary assortment of tasks and printing functionality on various media, you can make a job more efficient on various media.

For this monochrome printer on specialized sites there are additional settings and updates. With their help, you can achieve, for example, support for scaling.

HP Auto-ON / Auto-Off technology saves energy, including a printer when necessary, and turning off when it is not used.

This printer consumes the minimum of energy, compared to any other device of a similar class, and free program HP Planet Partners will make it easy to dispose of consumables.

Epson M105 printer

Inkjet monochrome printer with wireless wi-Fi connection, Pigment ink and rather low print cost. Included with the device - two containers with a capacity of 140 ml with pigment ink (starter kit), thanks to which you can print up to 11 thousand images. The special design of containers and ink containers allows even an inexplicable user to easily cope with refueling.

The advantages of this apparatus include:

• pigment ink;
• print speed - up to 34 ppm;
• supercontomic printing of black and white documents;
• low Print Cost;
• wi-Fi wireless connection.

Popular Samsung

Laser monochrome printers from Samsung brand are equipped with high-frequency processors and good rAM.

They demonstrate high print performance. Thanks to the quality of work and efficiency, the devices have perfectly proven themselves when used in offices and educational institutions of different steps.

The first printing devices did not differ in speed, but allowed to replicate the collected text countless number of times. True, they cost insanely expensive. As you improve the methods and printing tools, printers became more and more accessible, and in the era of universal distribution of personal computers there was a real breakthrough of printing technologies, and the prices for printers declined so much that anyone can now acquire them.

Monochrome print

90% of homework requiring the presence of a printer is associated with monochrome (monochrome) printing - the printer allows you to display a variety of documents containing text and simple graphics. It is more convenient from the sheet than from the monitor screen, read e-books and articles. Schoolchildren and students often and remember the reports, abstracts and couchers, and sometimes in several copies. Before traveling, it is often necessary to print the map of the area with the route of the movement - the map-posted cartographic services allow you to send such a print on one click.

Monochrome printing is often confused with black and white. These types of printing are similar, since only black paint is used for them. However, monochrome printing is a seal in shades of gray, it is performed using inkjet and laser printers. Black and white printing is supported only by matrix models.

Laser printers

Laser printers are the most common monochrome printing devices. With their name, they are obliged to prevent the laser in them, with the help of which the image is transferred to the test and electrifies it. Toner (coloring powder) adheres to electrified drums, drum rolled through paper, carrying powder particles to it. The toner paper is then heated in the "stove", and the melted powder "takes up" to the paper.

CONSUMABLES

Currently, printer manufacturers are main incomes receive from the sale of consumables - cartridges, photobrabans. It is they who require periodic replacement, and the printer housing with paper feed mechanisms can serve for many years, without requiring service. With this approach, printers can be shockingly low, but the set of cartridges for them will cost as much if not more than.

LED printers

OKI, KYOCERA and PANASONIC manufactures printers, in which the photo is electrified with a laser beam, but a line of LEDs, located along the entire length of the drum. The print resolution is directly dependent on the density of location of LEDs. By changing the level of their brightness, you can change the contrast of the image. The rest of the method is identical to the laser. LED printers have significant advantages over laser: they are more compact, faster printing and more reliable. There are disadvantages: the quality of the printing of complex graphics in LED printers is lower than that of classic laser.

Inkjet printers

Any modern inkjet printer easily copes with monochrome seal. In most cases, such a seal is inferior to laser, in particular, the edges of the symbols are less clear. In the speed of the junctions are also inferior to laser printers.

The essence of the inkjet technology is as follows. Through microscopic nozzles of the printed head on paper, ink from the cartridge is thrown. The required pressure is created either by heating ink (thermostrous printing), or by changing the volume of the head chambers (piezostrutrunic printing). The first method is implemented in Canon printers, Hewlett-Packard, Lexmark, second - in Epson.

Monochrome inkjet printing can be made both ferrous ink and mixed in certain proportions with color (composite method).

Print head with microsoplas emitting ink droplets, passes over a sheet of paper, forming an image from a huge number of small points. The point size determines the print resolution: the point is less - the higher it is higher. In modern models, the minimum volume of ink drops reaches two picoliters. To ensure such accuracy, the head nozzle is made using semiconductor technology used in the manufacture of microcircuits.

Choice of technology

Laser printers quickly, reliable, perfectly reproduce text on paper, and, in addition, the prints made with their help are protected from external influences: due to the randomly caught water drops, the paint does not blurry. Sustainable printouts and to sweat, which is undoubtedly appreciated by students and schoolchildren who use crib. If in the first place for you - the quality and "durability" of the text, feel free to choose a laser printer!

If you plan to print a lot of texts, schemes and simple graphs, it makes sense to acquire a LED model - it may not only be more fast, but also economical.

Monochrome inkjet printing is in demand only if the user with a limited budget wants to also get the possibility of color printing. However, it should be noted that the cost of one-printed page of the page will be higher than the cost of the imprint obtained when using a laser or LED printer.

Color print

Color home printing usually solves one of two tasks. The first is the conclusion on paper paper with text and graphics. This is coping with any color printer A4 format, regardless of its technical characteristics.

The second task is to photo printing. Despite the fact that the word "photo" in the title has many printers, qualitatively print photos for only specialized devices. We will tell you more about photo printing on a home printer below, and now let's talk about the color printing of documents.

Color laser print

More recently, these devices were very expensive for home use. But today, colored laser printers appeared on the market acceptable prices (eg, Xerox Phaser. 6110B or SAMSUNG CLP-315 worth about 6 thousand rubles.).

Technically colored laser marks differ only in the process of applying toner - it is repeated four times (in accordance with the number of colors used). Therefore, such printers work slower monochrome. If you are important for you print speed, it is better to choose a more expensive laser printer with a single-pass mechanism - they are installed in them at once four phototrabans that are applied toners for one pass sheet.

Color inkjet print

Inkjet printers are most often used for color home printing. Over the years, they have become better and cheaper and cheaper. For example, the HP Deskjet D1663 model is already less than 1 thousand rubles. Inkjet printers are easy to connect (most of the models are equipped with USB interfaces today), they do not require everyday care, consume little energy, undemanding to the thickness of the paper, and the management is extremely simple.

The well-known disadvantages of popular inkjet printers include a high cost of consumables (cartridges and special paper) and less than laser models, print speed. However, otherwise they cope with the solution of the tasks of home printing "on excellent".

The junctions are better adapted for printing on a variety of media: cardboard, films, envelopes, and even on CDs. Laser printers are not printed on stickers and films, and most of them have restrictions on the density of the paper.

Therefore, the use of a colored laser printer is justified only if you plan to print a lot on conventional A4 office paper and the stability of prints to the effects of light and moisture is important for you. Fonts on documents printed using such printers look clearer and neat.

Photo printing

With the development of digital technologies, photos most often began to be stored exclusively in the form of files. View pictures on a computer display, cameras, mobile phone more convenient than overclocking albums or sort out the stacks of prints.

But it was in the digital era that photo printing has become really affordable for everyone. No longer need developers and fixers, magnifiers and cuvettes - it is enough to have a digital camera, a printer and some knowledge to get imprints, about which the photographers of the past could only dream.

Photo lab - for and against

You can order the printing of the pictures today in several ways, for example, sending files over the network or delivering them to a photo laboratory on disks, memory cards, or even on cards. Most photophillers suits it. In addition, the cost of an imprint of a size of 10x15 cm in the laboratory is, as a rule, 3-4 rubles. Printing a single image of a similar format on its own photo printer will cost the user about ten rubles, and then provided that it will not make trial prints.

You can, of course, go to risk and use cheaper third-party consumables - so-called compatible cartridges, then the cost of printing will be able to reduce some more. But experiments with paper and ink are not approved by the manufacturers of printers, and in the event of a breakdown of the device, all "savings" can go to no.

Important! Specialists advise every time to carefully weigh the decision to perform photo printing at home. If you need to urgently display multiple snapshots - use your printer. If you need to get a large number of copies, imprints of non-standard or very large size, it makes sense to contact the laboratory.

The serious advantage of home photo printing is that your own printer allows you to immediately get a snapshot and make it as you want; He opens the exposure to your fantasy and creativity. For example, for the manufacture of collages or artistic photographs of photos, laboratory specialists are neglected, and it costs this service too expensive. The photo laboratories are indispensable only when printing a large format and images on non-standard media (circles, shirts, etc.). The home printer will cope with the rest.

Direct print

Those who plan to buy a digital camera and a printer for prompt printing photographs, we recommend choosing a tandem of one brand. This will provide perfect management of management protocols, more accurate color reproduction and support for all possible commands provided for both in the printer and in the chamber.

By choosing a printer that supports one of the technologies of direct printing (PictBridge, Canon Direct Print, etc.), - and today most of the majority today - you can forget about the computer, especially if you do not plan to engage in software processing files. With direct printing files are displayed on the printer directly from the camera (as well as from the memory card or external drive). Due to the reduction in the information transfer chain, direct printing takes less time than the usual one when the computer is involved.

The simplest and inexpensive models of printers for direct printing are actually accessories attached to the digital camera and equipped with only necessary for communication with it. Sometimes they have pocket sizes and feed from batteries.

The most "cheap" printers are equipped with powerful processors that allow not only to determine what and how much to print, but also to adjust the brightness, colors, contrast, as well as make imprints with decorative elements, frames, text. Such photo printer are equipped with displays for managing and viewing images, as well as a variety of data entry interfaces: wired and wireless - for cameras and drives, slots - for memory cards.

Photopriberent

Two technologies are predominantly used in photoprinters for home printing: inkjet and thermal vintage. In the first case, as with conventional colored inkjet printing, the ink drops form an image consisting of points. These points are sometimes visible even with a naked eye, especially in bright areas of prints.

To disguise the point structure of the picture, in the photo printers, in addition to the traditional ink four basic flowers, Extra cartridges with light shades ink are installed - when using them, bright images of the image are almost lost grain. In addition, manufacturers try to reduce the size of the droplets by making them less visible.

The essence of thermosublimation technology is that the paints evaporate from a hard medium using heater heads and color microelectric ink pair settle on the photo paper, forming an image. With such a printing, the picture does not be crushed into separate, visible to the eye point - this is the significant advantage over inkjet.

As a rule, three-color pigments (CMY) are used for thermal vintage printing, which are applied to the painting of the same format as the photographic paper. The image is formed for three passages of the carrier tape and a sheet of paper under the heating print head.

Sometimes, in addition to three colorful layers, a protective (laminating) layer is also applied to the imprint. It can be of different textures, which allows you to get prints with glossy zones and even embossed. Since the process involves the use of rigid and durable photographic paper (as a rule, non-cellulose, and polymer) and also applying an additional protective layer, the imprint is incremental and almost eternal.

All photo printer presented today on sale provide comparable print quality, and dividing them on "lovers" and "professionals" is very conditional. Although many models of photo printer are popular with specialists: photographers, designers and artists.

Portable printers

This is a special class of devices designed primarily for operational printout of images of 10x15 cm directly from digital cameras or memory cards. Many such models are capable of working offline, feeding from the built-in battery. Portable printers are very compact, almost always supplied with means for carrying (handles or bags-covers) and for the most part are designed to install sets from photo paper and cartridges that grabs 20-25 prints.

Such models are divided into two classes: inkjet and thermal vintage. Three stamps are widely represented in the Russian market of jet portable printers for photo printing: Canon, Epson and HP. The thermosublimation printers are significantly larger than: Canon, Fujifilm, Kodak, Mitsubishi, Sony, Panasonic, Hiti, HP. Own thermal vitrate portable printers for direct printing makes most of the companies producing cameras: Sony, Canon, Panasonic, Kodak.

OPINION

Alexander Ivashkin, Canon Manager for Management of the Product Commodity Group "Inkjet Technology and Tablet Scanners"

Inkjet printers and CANON MFPs are designed for home photo printing of laboratory quality. One of the basic principles of the company - the printing devices must be so easy to use so that even a beginner user can achieve the highest quality. This became possible thanks to Fine, Chromalife 100+ technologies and Auto Photo Fix II software, Easy Web Print Ex, Easy Photo Print, etc., aimed at ensuring maximum quality photo printing.

We consider the most promising to be developed by our company bubble-jet technology photo printing. It is used not only in home-use devices, but also in professional printers and plotters, in jet faxes and even in print calculators. Its joint use with FINE technology made it possible to achieve a reduction in the volume of drops to 1 picolitra, and maximum amount Tuez in the print head to bring up to 7680 pcs. All these achievements led to the fact that the hardware print resolution rose to 9600 DPIs.

Professional photo printers

Professional photo printer are designed mainly for printing large formats of paper and film carriers - from A3 to A1. Most often that inkjet models With the number of colors (cartridges) at least 8-10. With the help of such printers, the color plants are prepared, get large prints of paintings of paintings, create formed decisions for exhibitions and presentations, print covers and apply images to the surface CD and DVD.

Thermosublimation printers are also in demand from professionals - they are mainly printed by photos on documents. There are some more classes of professional printers - for printing labels, checks, blanks, stickers, bar codes, but within the framework of this article we will not stop on them.

We master the photo printing

Choosing a photoprinter, you need to be prepared for the fact that it will have to spend no less strength and time to spend on his development than on taking pictures. Of course, if we are not talking about portable models working on the principle "pressed the button - got a print."

Of course, you can do the cutting interfaces of the drivers for beginners, but to get high-quality pictures it makes sense to thoroughly understand and with advanced settings.

Management Systems and User Printer Interfaces (and Driver Managers) are optimized for the tasks assigned to the device.

In any good photo printer, the drivers window with the default print settings is a tool for beginners. Usually, the user is invited to select the print object, format and method of trimming photos (with or without fields), the orientation of the sheet (book or landscape), color or monochrome print, as well as specify the number of copies and the ability of the preview.

Ignore the last function is not worth it - it allows you to detect possible problems Even before printing.

By applying to advanced features (in the "For Profi" window), you can configure the print quality and adjust the colors to the photos for specific consumables and the condition of printing. Standard management tools are brightness / contrast / saturation and shades (usually in the usual CMY gamma).

Users usually do not appeal to the service window, while defects are not started or a noticeable marriage will appear. Meanwhile, starting familiarizing with the control of the printer and its setting before each session is worth it from this window. With it, it is necessary to check the ink level and make sure that all print nozzles are in working condition. When using professional printers, you will be asked to calibrate even the accuracy of the work of individual nozzles and (test passage of the print head) color rendition - for the paper used and specific ink.

Multifunctional devices

Often on a computer desk because of the abundance of large-sized peripheral devices It remains so little free space that it becomes inconvenient to work. For example, for a tablet scanner is never located a corner. Nevertheless, it is often necessary to users who work with texts. Solve this problem will help a multifunctional device (MFP), which combines the functions of the scanner, printer and copier, and sometimes even the fax apparatus.

Design

All MFPs consist of two main modules: scanning and printing, allowing these devices to scan documents and images and print textual and graphic files transmitted from the computer. In all modern MFPs, a copier function is implemented - to get a duplicate photo or document without a computer, just press the Copy button. The quality of copies thus obtained is very high.

In addition, most MFP models allow typing photos directly from camera, memory cards, and even USB drives without computer participation. All this helps to save time and place, as well as noticeably simplify work.

Scanning at MFP

By design, scanning modules used in MFP can be tablet and sheets. In tablet scanners, the document being processed remains fixed - the scanning ruler moves along it, the line is fixed in leaf-resistant scanners, and the sheet itself is pulled out with a special mechanism. For home use, MFP is best based on a regular tablet scanner - they are cheaper and more universal, and in some cases, for example, when scanning thick books are simply indispensable.

Technologies

As in printers, two main printing technologies are used in the MFP - laser and inkjet. The main methods of printing images on these devices are the same as printers.

Laser MFPs are both monochrome and colored. The difference between such devices and laser printers is minimal in most cases. Even the cartridges are often used among the same - the manufacturers often (but, alas, not always) strive for the unification of consumables, due to which the prints obtained by the IFC are practically not inferior to the printer.

The situation is similarly to the inkjet MFP. Like inkjet printers, they are only colored, but easily cope with monochrome seal. Unified cartridges are often used in such devices. The biggest difference between MFP and printers is the price: two devices are integrated into the MFP, respectively, it is higher than its price. Colored laser MFPs can cost two or three times more expensive than colored laser printers.

• MFP, equipped with a USB interface, preferably connected to a high-speed USB 2.0 computer port, otherwise these operations may take quite a long time. High, compared to USB 1.1, the data transfer rate will be needed, first of all, to scan high resolution, as well as when working with memory cards.
• If MFP is equipped with a LAN interface, it can be made available from any computer to the local network. And if there is a built-in wi-Fi module MFP will easily integrate into a wireless network.
• Usually problems with scanning sheets or thin brochures do not occur. But when working with thick books, difficulties are possible. Allow them can the design of the cover of the scanning block with a free move. But in any case you have to hold the cover with your hand to avoid the appearance of dark strips.
• Modern MFPs are often equipped with a function automation function. These devices allow without additional settings to scan the image followed by saving it in pDF format Or, for example, sending by email. When choosing the MFP, it should be considered what kind of task it will have to be solved. Based on this, choose one of the options: monochrome laser, colored inkjet or color laser.

Office printers

In offices are most often used laser printers. First of all, due to the ease of operation. In fact, these devices require only periodic shift cartridges with toner and timely supply of paper, and the necessary prophylaxis is reduced to smoking the accumulated dust.

The second reason for "office love" to laser models is that most of these printers supports A4 - the most common format of documents. Simple models Laser printers working with this format today are so much that prices for them have already fallen below 3 thousand rubles. Due to this, the lowest cost is printed by a laser page, despite the very expensive toner cartridges. And office savings have always been honored.

Its functions took over colored laser printers. Fast progress in the development of color technology laser seal And its strong cheaper has led to the fact that office services began to use such models for monochrome printing. To date, the cost of a color laser printer is less than 6 thousand rubles. (for example, the OKI C110 and Samsung CLP-315 models cost from 5.5 to 5.8 thousand rubles.).

Recently, the interest of office services to multifunctional color has noticeably increased laser devices. Monochrome laser MFPs, especially models equipped with fax features, and used to cope with their tasks well. In addition, replacing three devices at once (scanner, printer and copier), they sometimes turn out to be indispensable for small and medium-sized offices.

• When working, even the cheapest laser printer consumes the power of about 300 W, and some office models are more kilowatta. Therefore, connect such devices to the UPS working output, and to the redundant socket intended for such cases.
• For data transfer, almost all printers use a USB interface, but if you have several computers in your office, pay attention to Wi-Fi support models. Many such printers allow typing texts even with mobile phones and communicators.
• When the laser printer is running, the electric charge on the phototrabane decomposes atmospheric oxygen, as a result of which a certain amount of ozone is formed - highly toxic substance. Modern models are practically deprived of this shortage, but the intensively used printer is still better to keep in a well-ventilated room.
• It is better not to print on paper, on which another image has already been applied. This can lead to a sparrel of a photobraban or "stove".
• To print draft documents, use the preset function or saving mode. It will slightly reduce the print quality, but will save toner.