| If you are thinking of investing in a new machine | | | | bin capacity than others (the amount of unused |
| or replacing your existing home printer there are | | | | paper that can be kept in the tray) and this could |
| a number of things you might like to consider | | | | be a consideration if you regularly print high |
| before you research and buy. These days the | | | | volumes and do not want to keep refilling the |
| majority of printers produced for the domestic | | | | printer with paper. |
| market can perform more than one function. | | | | Another useful option for the enthusiastic digital |
| Indeed it is likely that many printers you look at | | | | photographer to consider is a built in card reader. |
| will have at least one extra feature in addition to | | | | Many printers will have slots for the most popular |
| printing. | | | | types of digital memory cards, allowing you to |
| Many modern printers are marketed as "all-in-one" | | | | print directly from the card rather than via your |
| meaning they will print, fax, scan and copy all | | | | PC. Similarly check out whether your all-in-one has |
| from the same machine. This is ideal if you are | | | | a USB port. This can come in handy if you want |
| looking for a home office machine, but don't | | | | to scan a document or photo directly to a |
| underestimate the usefulness of a copier or | | | | portable memory stick. Simply plug the stick in, |
| scanner at home. Perhaps you need to send off | | | | scan and go. |
| an original receipt or a bank statement and want | | | | Even as few as five years ago, printers with |
| to keep a copy. Maybe you need to email a | | | | duplexers and fast scan feeder attachments |
| document you only have in hard copy. An | | | | were the preserve of the ten thousand dollar |
| all-in-one will allow you the option. If you need a | | | | office machine. Now you too can print |
| machine with a fax function but only have one | | | | automatically on both sides of the paper at home |
| phone line at home, check out whether the | | | | or scan multiple pages without laboriously lifting |
| all-in-one has a n "auto answer" setting. This will | | | | and replacing each one. Many printer models are |
| allow you to receive incoming faxes whilst you | | | | available with optional duplexers and scan feeders, |
| are away from your machine. | | | | so if your budget won't stretch at the moment |
| Do you want a printer that can print in color or | | | | you could consider an option upgrade at a later |
| will black and white be sufficient for your needs? | | | | date. |
| Are you thinking about using your new machine | | | | Another serious consideration is wireless printing. |
| to print photos? Obviously you will need a color | | | | Particularly useful if you have only one printer with |
| printer for this (unless of course you are an | | | | several family members accessing it, a |
| enthusiastic black and white photographer!) but do | | | | wireless-capable machine will enable you to print |
| think about other options also. A growing number | | | | remotely. Providing your laptop or desktop is itself |
| of printers are optimised for photo printing with | | | | wireless enabled you do not need to be physically |
| six color ink cartridges as opposed to the | | | | connected to the printer. Also check out whether |
| traditional three, giving a wider range and more | | | | the machine has a wired Ethernet port for |
| sophisticated color rendition on paper. | | | | physically connecting the printer to your network. |
| If you will be printing a lot of photos you may like | | | | Some brands (notably HP & Epson) are well |
| to consider a printer with multiple paper trays, | | | | known for being economical on ink, with |
| enabling you to switch easily between plain and | | | | reasonably priced refills. Many printer brands, |
| photo papers without having to physically change | | | | especially those priced at seem like unfeasibly low |
| the paper in the tray. Many reasonably priced | | | | prices, are loss leaders, with the manufacturer |
| domestic printers are available with two or three | | | | making their profit on ink refill cartridges. It is a |
| trays, and once you have experienced the | | | | good idea to check out the cost and longevity of |
| convenience you'll find it difficult to go back to a | | | | the ink before you buy. |
| single tray again. Some printers will have a higher | | | | |