Relative to my recent computer column, occasionally I will bundle a computer and printer for a customer.
There are two types of printers-Laser and Ink.
A laser unit utilizes toner instead of ink. They are generally larger in size and can generate several thousand prints before needing to replace a cartridge. A monochrome laser prints only black and white; a color laser contains black plus cyan, magenta and yellow cartridges. For someone doing high-volume printing, a laser makes sense. Lasers are usually multi-function systems meaning they can print, copy and scan and are equipped with a document feeder on the top. Some also fax, can be used wirelessly or connected to the computer via a USB cable and may have a USB slot on the side to print directly from a flash drive.
Ink printers are suitable for light printing and photographs. An ink system should be able to produce 4×6, 5×7 and 8×10 prints. A simple printer will use a black and color cartridge. A more sophisticated unit may have a separate ink configuration in which you just replace the color that is depleted.
Epson, Canon and Hewlett Packard also produce a “smart-tank” printer in which you buy the ink and pour it into the individual tubes rather than replacing a cartridge. Ink systems are also wireless, cable ready and mostly multi-function. However, if you are interested in editing, repairing and restoring photos, Canon and Epson still make individual flat-bed scanners that are sold online. There is even a scanner with a special fixture which will handle old negatives you might wish to rehabilitate and reprint.
Photo paper is usually offered in gloss or matte finish. When buying standard printer/copy paper, you will see the number 92 on the package. Some paper is rated at 96 or higher which means the white is brighter and the paper usually of a better quality. Text and graphics look sharper on this paper grade.
Regarding computers again, the display signs in a store or online will highlight the processor, which is the engine of the computer, RAM which is system memory-normally 16 gigabytes(gb) or 32gb and solid state drive(ssd) storage from 512gb up to 2 Terabytes for retaining documents, photos and music. Most computers will have 1 TB in it.
Quality computers will also contain at least 16 gb of memory so that it can support artificial intelligence activities and be responsive when you are actively engaged with your computer. Purchasing a computer on sale with an even higher memory count is well worth the investment.
Intel is identified by an “i or Ultra” designation. The AMD processor is called “Ryzen.” Both use the same numerical designations 5, 7 and 9. The 7 series is the most popular and often on sale. The 9 is the fastest of the group which you will find in gaming/engineering laptops and computers used for working with a large number of files simultaneously.
Google Chromebooks may be a good option for young students and anyone who needs a simple machine for browsing and research. It uses Google Chrome to access the Internet and also provides some Google cloud storage and Google Docs for word processing.
Although Windows based computers have Co-pilot(previously known as Bing) built into the system and keyboards, you can certainly use other AI formats-Chat GPT, Gemini etc.
Brands you will see in the stores-Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Alienware(Dell), Samsung, Microsoft Surface-all have the current version of Windows 11 installed in them. If you need the Microsoft Office program which includes-Word, Exel, Powerpoint and One Note-it is offered three ways: the single application for the life of the computer, normally $149.99(white card); Office-365 subscription(orange card) at 99.00 per year for up to six users with a single passcode; the Family plan(blue card) is 129.99 and allows up to six users with each creating their own private code. The subscription versions also have Windows Defender anti-virus integrated into them and provide 1 TB of free cloud storage in Microsoft’s network. If you are interested in supplemental protection, Norton, Trend, Webroot are each worth considering.
Holiday sales are underway at Best Buy. You might ask about open box-specials should you visit a store. When someone returns an item and the package has been opened, the store discounts the product but offers the same warranty and two weeks to test it. There is no return fee on computers and TV’s but there may be on cameras and cell phones.
A new computer can expose you to an incredible universe of experiences. I would explore your local library because many across the country subscribe to a diverse range of publications and self-study programs which you can access with your library card outside of the library. For example, I study Spanish, Portuguese and French online and challenge myself to read in those languages while minimally using Google Translate. The New York Times publishes in English, Spanish and Mandarin. With one click, I have an entire newspaper in “Espanol.” Papers from France and Brazil send me articles and headlines at no charge.
To me, this is absolutely smile-inducing, amazing and remarkable!! Take advantage when you can.
I hope you all find wonderful deals leading to new and stimulating personal, professional and educational opportunities!
I’ve had great luck with my B&W laser all-in-one. For the scanner function, I use the NAPS2 scanning software: NAPS2 – Scan documents to PDF and more It’s a free download and I’ve found it very simple and easy to use.
Well, my new Canon B&W laser arrived yesterday. I paid $122 for it at Amazon. I did get the WIFI connection working. The tiny LCD screen was hard to see but it only took 3 tries to get the WIFI password entered. I will be ordering a couple of new aftermarket cartridges today as well as seeing how printing from my IPhone will work. The new printer is quiet, starts fast, and the print quality is sharp.