Tips on Computer Technology

By BILL MICHLING

Welcome back, this week we will discuss about those add ons like printers, disk drives, etc……

I would also like to remind everyone that all the year 2000 articles on the website ( http://www.mespn.com/forms/tech_articles ) are now searchable by keyword(s) or article date. This has been requested a number of times from many of my loyal readers, and now it is available, check it out as well as the online version of the Saipan Tribune, which you can access by clicking the banner on that same page.

I received an email from a reader asking what printer do I recommend. It got me thinking that maybe others would be interested in what printers to use.

This article will be about those items other than the computer that we are always looking for.

Lets start with printers. Someone once said we would have a “paperless” office. Until that time we still need a printer, but which printer is best for you?

Printers

There are two main types of printer in use today, inkjet and Laser. Very few people use the dot matrix printers any more. Why should they? The price of inkjet printers has dropped so fast in last few years!

If you are looking for an inexpensive very high quality inkjet check out the new Epson 777i. This printer has some amazing specs, such as:

1. 2880 x 720 dpi Perfect Picture Printing (Yes that is 2880 dots per inch!)

2. Superior Photo Quality color

3. Fast print speeds (up to 8 pages a minute for Black, & up to 6 pages per min in color, that is fast!)

4. Innovative, compact design

5. Optional color printer design

6. Built-in USB and Parallel ports

Other things to consider is what size are the ink reservoirs. I must say the reservoirs on the 777i are more than adequate. This means you won’t need to change them as often as some other printers.

This printer can be used with Macintosh as well as Windows computers.

Of course the old standby 740i is still available as well. It is also a good solid performer. Lets face it though, technology is moving fast, even in the printing arena.

So if you are looking for a very good performing inkjet printer, then check out the 777i or the 740i.

High End Color Printers

Lets start out with a very good high end Solid Color printer first. The Tektronix 850DP creates printing using solid ink. One of the big advantages of this is the print is virtually water proof.
1. Print speed is 14 ppm (Fast Color mode); 8 ppm (Standard mode)

Transparency: 6 ppm (Fast Color mode); 3.5 ppm (Standard mode)

2. Double side printing is standard

3. Print up to 65000 pages a month

4. Ethernet built in

5. Drivers for Macintosh and Windows available

6. Paper handling: Built-in automatic 2-sided printing, standard on 850DP and 850DX, automatically prints on both sides of page. Prints on 16-40 lb. bond (60-150 g/m2) and heavy papers up to 80-lb. cover stock, or 110-lb. index stock (up to 216 g/m2 ); coated or glossy papers; transparencies; labels; envelopes. Prints on Letter, Executive, A4, A5, Envelopes (#6 3/4 #10, Monarch, DL, C5, Choukei 3 Gou, Choukei 4 Gou). Prints within .2 in. (5 mm) of top, bottom, left, and right edges on Letter and A4 media. Maximum image area 8.1 x 10.6 in. (200 x 287 mm)

High quality reproduction can be measured in an increasingly disciplined application of color dots on a surface. Revolutionary advancements have been made throughout history. These brave attempts have culminated in single pass solid ink technology. The most consistent high quality color available today.

How do regular toner type Laser printers compare to the solid ink technology?

Solid Ink

1. Precision dot registration due to single pass architecture

2. Consistent dot color and shape unaffected by paper type

3. Most uniformly round-shaped dots to optimize smooth color blends

Toner

1. Occasional toner spatter can affect the integrity of the dot

2. Possible dot misregistration due to four-pass printing

So if you in need of a high end color printer that uses regular paper, check out the 850DP.

External Disk Drives

Some people still need access to floppy disks. There are many USB devices available today. If all you need is to be able to read regular PC and Mac floppy disks a good choice is tri media reader. This device will allow you to read PC and Mac floppies as well as the media used in digital cameras.

The price is very low to provide this capability.

Of course the venerable Zip drive is also available in a 250 Mb size. This drive only reads Zip disks, both the 100 and the 250 MB and is available is USB and SCSI versions.

Another drive is the Super Disk. This drive allows you to read PC and Mac floppy disks as well as the 120 MB super disk that may be used in some digital cameras.

Summary

The above have been a few of some of the devices we may all need at one time or another.

Need more info, looking for equipment

Having a hard time finding what you need?

If you are in need of equipment or have any questions, just send email to: ( bill@mespn.com ). I may be able to find just what you need.

Have a wonderful week.

See you here and on the web next week.

Bill Michling is a computer professional and welcomes any comments or questions you may have. Just send email to: bill@mespn.com or michling@usa.net.

You may also go to Marianas Electronics and ask help from the friendly staff there, or call them at: 234-5424, Just ask for Annie, Jun or Joseph.

For world access this Wednesday column is also on the Saipan Tribune website at: (http://www.saipantribune.com) or at the mespn.com site at: (http://mespn.com/forms/tech_Articles/ ), now connected to the Internet via broadband T1+.