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Which Colour Printer??. G.J.Fayers@ic.ac.uk. Key Factors. Capital outlay << Consumables cost Choice of technology Way services are delivered for transparencies, paper. Selection Criteria. 2 trays, 2 software queues Speed Memory size Resolution PS level 2 or better Low cost ownership
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Which Colour Printer?? G.J.Fayers@ic.ac.uk
Key Factors • Capital outlay << Consumables cost • Choice of technology • Way services are delivered for transparencies, paper
Selection Criteria • 2 trays, 2 software queues • Speed • Memory size • Resolution • PS level 2 or better • Low cost ownership • Duplex operation • Non-proprietary transparencies
Other Selection Criteria • Simplicity of use • Reliability • Price • Duty cycle • Print cost per page • Network readiness • Protocols’ support and maximum control from maximum number of different types of host • PCL capability
Yet More Selection Criteria • Postscript emulation quality • Number of consumables • Support for AutoCAD14 and AutoCAD 2000 • Good reproduction of VGA camera output (discussed later) • Monochrome • A3 capability
Other Considerations • Adjustable toner coverage • Availability of supplies on campus • Maximum memory capacity (esp. for poor postscript) • Informal workgroup servicing • Warranty
Some Printer Truths • Underestimation of costper page • 5% = A4 x 12-point • 240% = high quality transparency • Expert estimate typical HEP 25% • Costs start at 1.25p per % ==> 30p per transparency • Duty cycle is relative
Duty Cycles • No absolute indication of robustness • 40 heating cycles worse than 1 x 40 pages • Duty cycle 5000/month ==> 40 pages/month
Inks, Colours, Toning &Resolution • If pixel size fixed, only 8 possible colours from CMY • (Usually diagonal) half-toning overlay • More pixels per half-tone cell, more colour tones displayed • But coarser apparent resolution • Trade-off here • Also ColourManagement issue
Colour Printer Market • Margins low • Independent expert resellers hard to find • Brand leaders on low to mid-range include • Epson • HP • Lexmark • Tektronix (Xerox) • Small set of print engines (e.g. Hitachi, Canon, Matsushita, Minolta) • Why this does matter
Options and Recommendations • See spreadsheet • Get handout