Printers On the Go

Wireless networks and mobile computing are on the rise, so it's no surprise to find printers following those trends. Indeed, IDC reports that wireless printing hardware sales more than doubled to in excess of 200,000 units in 2003, and the research firm projects healthy continued growth.

"Wireless connectivity for printers and MFPs represents an evolution of the network print server, adapting to meet the needs of growing WLAN environments," says Daniel Corsetti, IDC research analyst of Hardcopy Peripherals Solutions and Services. "IDC expects total wireless printing to reach over 1.2 million units by 2008."

Long confined to retail aisles, warehouse floors, trucks and rugged field applications, wireless printers now move around flexible office spaces, fly the friendly skies and serve the printing needs of visiting laptops, tablet PCs, PDAs and other wireless mobile devices.

"Virtually every wireless office network we do requires printers, and wireless customers naturally want wireless printing solutions," says Scott Neuman, CEO of AOS Web-com, a solution provider in Lakewood, N.J.

But anywhere, anytime printing must be far superior to the fuzzy, thermal paper printout at a gas pump; it requires the photographic, presentation-quality of modern office printers. There are two main categories of wireless printing solutions, and two subcategories within each. First, there are solutions that free up printers to move around offices more easily; self-contained wireless printers and wireless print servers are this category's subsidiaries. Second, there are printers that don't require users to plug a cable into them. This category includes standard-size printers that remain in one place to serve "walk-up" mobile users, and, last but not least, miniaturized printers that travel with their mobile masters. Let's take a look at some of the latest offerings.

Self-Contained Wireless Printers

A printer equipped with its own Wi-Fi adapter provides the ultimate in office mobility--you can put it anywhere within reach of a Wi-Fi access point and a power outlet. The Wi-Fi adapter is inside the printer, usually right next to an Ethernet and/or USB 2.0 port. It doesn't get much neater than that.

* Samsung's ML-2252W monochrome workgroup laser printer is a quality machine that prints up to 25 pages per minute (ppm) in up to 1,200 dpi. Its main paper tray holds 500 sheets, and the standard 32 MB of RAM can be upgraded to 160 MB. The cartridge is rated for 10,000 copies. It incorporates a 10/100 Ethernet port and an 802.11b adapter. Its street price ranges from $440 to nearly $700.

* The HP LaserJet 1320nw, which costs $550, prints a tad more slowly than the Samsung (22 ppm), but includes an 802.11b/g adapter and USB 2.0 port, as well as 100-Mbps Ethernet connectivity. Standard memory is 16 MB, expandable to 144 MB. The paper tray holds 250 sheets.

Wireless Print Servers

Of course, replacing one of those printers means throwing away a perfectly good Wi-Fi card, and mixing different vendors' printers in a wireless network entails dealing with different administration interfaces and printing functions. That's why many customers prefer the flexibility and economy of wireless print servers that can connect one or more printers from multiple vendors to an Ethernet or Wi-Fi network. Both the printer and the print server can be moved as needed. Print servers also provide multiprotocol and other enhanced services that can be shared by multiple printers.

* The D-Link DP-311P print server is about as basic as it gets: An 802.11b adapter plugs directly into a printer's IEEE 1284 parallel port. At less than $100 (street price), it's a good solution for classrooms, small offices and other environments that need printer-sharing on a wireless network.

* The Axis 5900 is 802.11b-enabled and comes with two IEEE 1284 parallel ports. A 10/100-Mbps Ethernet port is included. It supports Windows, Unix, Macintosh and NetWare networks. A built-in Web server makes remote configuration easy. Street prices are $225 to $250.

Printing For Mobile Users

Sooner or later, you have to leave the office. Road warriors prefer to travel light, and a new generation of slimmed-down but souped-up printers is ready to come along.

* HP's Deskjet 450wbt ($350) weighs 4.2 pounds and measures 13.3-x-3.2-x-6.5 inches. It uses HP Thermal Inkjet technology to print up to 9 ppm monochrome or 3 ppm color. Standard connectivity includes Bluetooth, infrared, parallel and USB ports. It also accepts CompactFlash cards.

"From day one, this printer became a permanent part of my traveling tool case," says Juan Junco, a realtor with Prudential First Properties. "At open houses, I'm now able to print out listings for the prospects, generate additional, high-quality home feature brochures...and anything else that would require me to return to my office."

Then there are frequently flying executives, such as marketing communications consultant Ben Hurley, who had his Canon i80 mobile printer on hand when he spotted basketball bad boy Dennis Rodman in first class. Rodman smiled for the digital camera, then did a double-take five minutes later when he was presented with a glossy print to autograph.

Canon's i80 mobile printer is a sleek, 4-pound, 12.4-x-6.9-x-2.0 inches. But it packs 1,088 nozzles into its print head, capable of churning out photo-quality color prints at up to 10 ppm and monochrome at up to 14 ppm. It has a built-in iRDa port, and an optional Bluetooth unit is available. An optional portable power kit includes a Lithium Ion battery good for two hours or 450 pages and can be charged while connected to the printer or in a cradle. An automobile cigarette lighter power adapter is also available. The base price is $250.

David Hakala ([email protected]) is a freelance writer based in Denver.

Vendor Contacts
Axis Communications
Chelmsford, Mass.
(978) 614-2000
www.axis.com

Canon
Lake Success, N.Y.
(516) 328-5000
www.canonusa.com/html/resellers

D-Link
Fountain Valley, Calif.
(800) 326-1688
www.dlink.com/var

Hewlett-Packard
Palo Alto, Calif.
(800) 756-0608
partner.americas.hp.com

Samsung USA
Irvine, Calif.
(800) 726-7864
www.samsungpartner.com