I have been assigned to find and install a printer for my wife’s sister. She is not entirely computer illiterate (she knows it is not “magic”). She can use a word processor, receive and answer mail, and a bit more. It will be a Challenge.
Background:
1.) She has a desktop computer.
2.) She uses Comcast and has an email account there.
3.) She has a smart phone.
4.) She has a Gmail account that she uses for email on her smart phone.
5.) She wants to be able to print in color.
6.) The majority of her printing will be photos sent primarily to her smart phone and, secondarily, to her Comcast address.
7.) She is a senior citizen on a very strict budget.
Challenge Restrictions:
1.) Price – Initial investment maximum of $150.00 to include her first set of full ink cartridges.
2.) Stand-alone printer vs. All-in-one – If available, a stand-alone printer would probably do what
she needs. As for an all-in-one, she has no need for a fax, and while a scanner would be nice it
is by no means required.
3.) Cost of ownership – Obviously the cost of ink should be minimized. A multiple cartridge setup
(ex: cyan, magenta, yellow, black, etc) is probably better that a single cartridge. I see where
some printers use a black and "all colors" ink cartridge system. Again, this is probably more
expensive then a multiple cartridge system.
4.) Wired vs. Wireless – Reviews I have read so far seem to indicate that wireless printers have a hard time staying connected. I do not need to constantly respond to a lost Wi-Fi signal. I have
great faith in wired systems. (Ethernet port?)
5.) Simplicity of use – Well dah. Yes, I know you included a software package with your computer.
It probably has a bunch of other (mostly useless) features and, possibility, things I would define
as malware. In general, turn the printer on. It handshakes. Ready to print.
6.) Software reliability – If the printer comes with software loaded, or if I have to load software, it
should work with minimal “tweaking”. See above.
7.) No "INKvestment".
Misc:
1.) 2-sided printing is nice but not required.
2.) A USB port is nice but not required.
3.) An LCD display would help with diagnostics.
4.) I am an hour away from her. I do not need to be making the trip very often. I have used
TeamViewer to help her.
5.) While she receives most of the photos she wants to print via the Gmail account, that could be
reconfigured to forward mail to Comcast on her desktop where she could print via a wired
connection. The mail could still be retained on the smart phone for instant viewing.
6.) A color laser printer is acceptable if it meets the Challenge Restrictions.
Background:
1.) She has a desktop computer.
2.) She uses Comcast and has an email account there.
3.) She has a smart phone.
4.) She has a Gmail account that she uses for email on her smart phone.
5.) She wants to be able to print in color.
6.) The majority of her printing will be photos sent primarily to her smart phone and, secondarily, to her Comcast address.
7.) She is a senior citizen on a very strict budget.
Challenge Restrictions:
1.) Price – Initial investment maximum of $150.00 to include her first set of full ink cartridges.
2.) Stand-alone printer vs. All-in-one – If available, a stand-alone printer would probably do what
she needs. As for an all-in-one, she has no need for a fax, and while a scanner would be nice it
is by no means required.
3.) Cost of ownership – Obviously the cost of ink should be minimized. A multiple cartridge setup
(ex: cyan, magenta, yellow, black, etc) is probably better that a single cartridge. I see where
some printers use a black and "all colors" ink cartridge system. Again, this is probably more
expensive then a multiple cartridge system.
4.) Wired vs. Wireless – Reviews I have read so far seem to indicate that wireless printers have a hard time staying connected. I do not need to constantly respond to a lost Wi-Fi signal. I have
great faith in wired systems. (Ethernet port?)
5.) Simplicity of use – Well dah. Yes, I know you included a software package with your computer.
It probably has a bunch of other (mostly useless) features and, possibility, things I would define
as malware. In general, turn the printer on. It handshakes. Ready to print.
6.) Software reliability – If the printer comes with software loaded, or if I have to load software, it
should work with minimal “tweaking”. See above.
7.) No "INKvestment".
Misc:
1.) 2-sided printing is nice but not required.
2.) A USB port is nice but not required.
3.) An LCD display would help with diagnostics.
4.) I am an hour away from her. I do not need to be making the trip very often. I have used
TeamViewer to help her.
5.) While she receives most of the photos she wants to print via the Gmail account, that could be
reconfigured to forward mail to Comcast on her desktop where she could print via a wired
connection. The mail could still be retained on the smart phone for instant viewing.
6.) A color laser printer is acceptable if it meets the Challenge Restrictions.
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