TCPglobal - news, views and issues on total cost of printing

Issue #0826/1 – Hewlett-Packard has today released a series of new products based on a new 20ppm single-pass colour laser print engine. Focusing on multifunction for this article, the Colour LaserJet CM2320nf and CM2320fxi add copy, scan and fax functions to the basic print functionality of the new Colour LaserJet CP2025n and 2025dn (comparison to follow) to create a pair of fast four-function devices for small workgroups on a tight purchase budget. Here we run technical and cost comparisons to determine the desirability of the CM2320nf.

Issue #0826/2 – Hewlett-Packard’s new CP2025n and dn models are single function printer versions of the two colour laser MFPs described in the article "New Colour LaserJet MFPs from Hewlett-Packard – easy on the pocket, till you start printing". Using the same engine and same supplies, the printers represent a mid-market purchase but high cost overall, while the Total Cost of Printing for printers in the group varies by more than 100%!

Issue #0825/1 – As indicated in the article Epson’s inkjet photo printers have incorporated print heads capable of producing multiple sizes of ink drops for many years - since the Stylus Colour 740 and Stylus Photo 750 were launched in 1998. The technology is known as VSDT (Variable Size Drop Technology), capable of firing drops of three different sizes, and is now operating at an ‘Advanced’ (AVSDT) level (only in 6-colour printers), capable of firing drops of five different sizes – all from the same nozzles in the same print head.

Issue #0823/2 - Designed to improve the accuracy of gas gauge information presented to inkjet printer users, Hewlett-Packard has introduced a direct detect system of determining when the ink in a cartridge is exhausted. The system currently works only on the new HP364 pigment black cartridge, used in the new Photosmart D5460 printer (available August 2008 – ), at this stage.

Issue #0822/1 - In one of the most exciting developments seen in the field of business inkjet printing for years, brother has announced an A3 format inkjet All-in-One device, the MFC-6490CW, boasting a very high multifunction specification. Although the product is not yet announced in Europe, nor has it reached stores fully in the US, pricing is available for both hardware and print cartridges in the US so comparisons can be made against A3 single function inkjet, A4 multifunction inkjet and A4 multifunction laser devices.