Wireless Photo Printers
While researching photo printers, I came across several that offer wireless connectivity. What's your opinion of wireless photo printers, and can you recommend any specific models? |
Should You Buy a Wireless Photo Printer?
Wireless photo printers are convenient for many users, and they don't cost much more than wired versions. You can save money with a wireless photo printer, by using a regular printer for normal print jobs and setting up the photo printer only for the highest-quality prints. A wireless photo printer can be kept in a closet until needed, and it sets up as easily as a laptop connects to a wireless network.
In fact, most wireless photo printers use the same 802.11 WiFi technology that computers use to connect wirelessly. Some wireless photo printers use Bluetooth or IRDA (infrared) technology, but these are not enabled on many computers, restricting the portability of a wireless photo printer.
When you buy wireless photo printer technology, the options can become rather confusing. Wireless photo printers come in as many variations as their wired cousins. Price range from low to eye-popping. Aside from wireless capability, you also have to consider print resolution, print speed, cost of supplies, and the print technology that best suits your needs. Portability is an optional factor made easier by wireless connectivity.
Wireless Photo Printers: Cost and Features
The Canon PIXMA MP560 all-in-one wireless photo printer can be purchased for less than $100. That's a great price considering it's also a photocopier, scanner, and fax machine! It uses inkjet technology, so it prints relatively slowly at its maximum 9600 x 2400 dpi resolution. It even comes with a 2 inch LCD preview screen so you can adjust the brightness, color, contrast, etc. and see how it will look before you print.
The Canon Pixma iP100 Mobile Photo Printer uses IrDA wireless technology. It also features PictBridge wireless connectivity, allowing it to print directly from many digital cameras and cell phones. It measures a compact 12.7 x 2.4 x 7.2 inches. It prints color at 14 ppm in resolutions up to 9600x2400 dpi. For desktop or laptop use, this little photo printer is a good value at around $180.
The Polaroid PoGo CZA-10011B Color Direct thermal printer is about as mobile as you can get. Barely bigger than a standard 4x6 inch paper photo, this specialty printer is designed to print from cell phones and digital cameras only. It doesn't even have ink cartridges; ink is impregnated into special (read, expensive) paper and activated thermally. Its paper capacity is ten sheets. But the price is right at $30 to $40.
The Brother MFC5895CW Wireless Color Photo Printer with Scanner, Copier and Fax sells for around $150. It's a good four-function small office machine that happens to print high-quality photos as well. It can churn out up to 28 letter-sized color prints per minute. An all-in-one printer like this is an excellent value, but its size makes portability an issue.
Wireless laser printers are also available, but they stretch the definition of "portable". Inkjet or thermal technologies are the best choices for wireless color printers that you want to tote along to parties, trade shows, or Grandma's house.
Do you have a wireless photo printer? Post your comment or question below...
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Posted by Bob Rankin on 14 Jan 2011
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Article information: AskBobRankin -- Wireless Photo Printers (Posted: 14 Jan 2011)
Source: http://askbobrankin.com/wireless_photo_printers.html
Copyright © 2005 - Bob Rankin - All Rights Reserved
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Most recent comments on "Wireless Photo Printers"
Posted by:
Mack McCary
15 Jan 2011
HP Photosmart Premium C309a (wireless all-in-one)
Pros: very high quality printing, esp. photos; fairly easy wireless connectivity; multiple printing/copying/fax/scanning; can be directly connected to router
Cons: wireless connectivity sometimes lost, very difficult to restore; wireless radio stopped working right after one year warranty expired. Only solution offered by HP was "discount" on buying new machine with extended warranty. did not even mention option to connect directly to router with ethernet cable, which works beautifully. HP updates annoyingly frequent, often crash before downloading. Fairly high ink consumpton.
Recommendation: As Bob suggests, there are better, more cost effective all-in-one solutions than a photo-quality printer, unless you want photo quality printing included. And there's got to be better quality customer service, software upgrades and warranty (I hope!)
Posted by:
Lois
19 Jan 2011
Hi, just read this article, and must say I own the Canon MP560 printer and it does not have FAX capabilities that I know of. I just purchased this MP560 to replace a Canon MP760 which did have fax capabilities, but was much larger, a really great printer, but the power just quit for no reason. Have been a tourbus reader for too many years to count. Thanks for a great ride.
Posted by:
Bryan Graham
22 Jan 2011
Just bought a HP Photosmart Plus; worked great right out of the box! Can print from both Macs in the house, plus can print from our iPhones, and iPad. The eprint function is interesting (printer gets it own email address that you send docs or photos to) but not that useful for us. Very good quality photo and document printing. Costs a little more, but you get what pay for.
Posted by:
Printer Technologies
15 Apr 2011
superb I just read your article about Wireless Photo Printers.Please I really want to know more about this disadvantages.I have used only best in one laser inkjet Printer.if you wan to know more about the inkjet printer or you want to buy best inkjet printer for coding and marking system.