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

Issue #0934/2 – While researching an article on the new low cost LED colour laser printer from Brother, it became apparent that Brother has introduced a significant security feature – SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption of the printer data stream – and is unique in doing so. Although not a brand new feature for Brother, to find SSL encryption on a low-end device costing just €259 (Median street price in Germany) is extraordinary and provides enhanced security for small businesses as well as enterprises. We take a brief look at the threats and benefits.

Issue #0934/1 – While most businesses, and many homes, find a network interface to be desirable in a colour laser printer, there is still a market for direct-connect USB printers and the industry continues to produce them at give-away prices that belies the true cost of printing. Available for as little as €109, a colour laser printer may seem to be the most attractive option for colour printing, especially perhaps for those printing very few pages – but beware the Total Cost. We look at sub €200 (inc. tax) colour laser printers to find out how they stack up for features and cost.

Issue #0933/2 – Hewlett-Packard is in acquisition mode again, announcing this week that it has reached agreement with 3Com for a purchase to the value of $2.7billion. While Hewlett-Packard’s largest business is now the Personal Systems Group, rather than the Imaging and Systems Group, as it used to be, and 3Com is a network switching, routing and security solutions company, the purchase does potentially have implications to Hewlett-Packard’s printing business.

Issue #0933/1 – We’re not used to seeing Epson as a cost-leader in the home inkjet market but its new Stylus SX510W fills just that position, displacing Canon and Hewlett-Packard from a more typically lower cost position. This is the second article in which we compare Total Cost of Printing between the new inkjet All-in-Ones from Epson, Hewlett-Packard and Lexmark with others on the market – this time taking a slice of the home-oriented portion of the market. We consider the Brother DCP-375CW, Canon PIXMA MP620, Epson Stylus SX510W (we’ll use the European name as pricing is sourced in Europe), Hewlett-Packard Photosmart B109n and Lexmark Interpret S405.

Issue 0932/2 - As promised, this is the first of two articles comparing Total Cost of Printing between the new inkjet All-in-Ones from Hewlett-Packard, Epson and Lexmark with others on the market. Here we focus on the business inkjet sector and a further article will consider home-oriented devices. Devices considered are: Brother MFC-6490CW; Canon PIXMA MX860; Epson Stylus Office BX610FW; Hewlett-Packard Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless; Hewlett-Packard Photosmart Premium Fax; Lexmark Platinum Pro905