If you’re a businessperson, then you know how important it is to be ready for business at any time. With the technology that’s available these days, there’s no excuse to let a potential sale get away because you didn’t have access to the right information.
This is a big reason why small travel printers have become so popular. While a small travel printer is mostly used for business, it can also be a good fit for someone wanting to save space for his or her home or small office. The best thing about a small travel printer is that they can print almost anything a standard printer can, and in some cases, has as many features.
HP, Brother, Epson and Canon all make portable printers, but when it comes to small travel printers, Epson and Canon will be your best options. Regardless of what brand you buy, there are some things you’re going to want to find out prior to making a purchase.
Things to consider
The most important thing is to find out what kind of volume the printer can handle. Buying the right printer in regards to this feature will save you a lot of stress in the future. It could also save you a lot of money.
Also, ask yourself if you need a portable printer that is capable of black and white, photo, and/or high definition capabilities. Yet another important factor is weight. Small travel printers can range from 1 lb to 8 lbs. That might not sound like much of a difference on paper, but when you’re running through airports and walking ten city blocks at a clip, it’s going to make a big difference.
You have to decide what’s more important to you between durability and weight.
Alternatively, you can be like most people and go with a mid-range model. Small travel printers work on batteries, so find out if they need to be bought separately. Also, look into what accessories you will need.
There are a few models I have picked out to review. Aside from one, they’re all Canon models, but that shouldn’t take away from any other brand. Everyone has the brand they’re most comfortable with; mine happens to be Canon.
This often happens due to the printer you start your career with. If you’re happy with it, you’re likely to stick with that brand.
I have used other brands for testing purposes and I don’t feel as though one brand is better than the next.
They each have their strong points and weaknesses, but that’s a topic for another article. For now, let’s look at some small travel printers that might benefit you.
Canon Pixma iP100
One of your best options will be the Canon Pixma iP100 Mobile Printer. This model has a ton of features, which I’ll go over briefly. It is selling at the Canon Direct Store at $250; however, you may get it cheaper at Amazon.com for only $199. It’s main selling point is that you can print high quality photos anytime anywhere with its IrDA capability, and the optional BU-30 Bluetooth® interface adapter.
It has a sleek compact design, very portable and lightweight at 4.5 lbs., and prints a 4×6” borderless photo fast at approximately 50 seconds and with print speeds of up to 20 ppm for black, and 14 ppm for color. It has a 5-color ink system that creates outstanding high quality photos with 9600 x 2400 color dpi resolution, and Auto-Image Fix that corrects your images automatically.
The new features introduced in iP100 is its having Generation Green characteristics – the options to use less ink, less paper, Energy Star® qualified saving energy with the auto power on or off, RoH S compliant – a European Union directive restricting the use of hazardous materials in electronic products, and lastly, the use of recycled plastics in the casing.
Therefore, in using this model, you not only get high quality photo and plain paper prints but you also contribute to saving the environment. Overall, an amazing little machine.
Canon BJC85
If you want something cheaper and are willing to sacrifice some quality, check out the older Canon BJC-85. Now compatible with Windows 7, just download the driver from the Canon site. It’s extremely compact, very lightweight and portable, looking more like an attaché case than a printer, it has a 30-sheet input tray, and has scanning capability with the optional IS-12 Color Image Scanner Cartridge that you can buy separately.
The downside is it doesn’t print as fast, only 5 ppm for black, and 2 ppm for color. You can find a used Canon BJC-85 for as low as $91.
Canon i80
If you want a relatively better speed than the BJC-85, consider the Canon i80, but be willing to pay a little more. At Amazon, you may get it new for around $450, but if you’re looking for cheaper option, you may buy it used for $100, also at Amazon.
It gives you wireless printing capability with the IrDA and optional Bluetooth® adapters; prints up to 14 ppm in black, and 10 ppm in color.
Most users rate it highly on its portability weighing only 4 lbs., can carry it with most laptops, and the inks very inexpensive to run.
HP DeskJet 450 Series
If a great mid-range small travel printer is what you want, consider the HP 450ci Mobile Deskjet Printer, which are no longer available at HP but you may still find new at around $330, but they are also available used for as low as $59 on Amazon.
The HP Deskjet 450ci is stylish, very compact and lightweight weighing only 4.2 lbs., can print up to 9 pages per minute, and resolution will reach as high as 4800 x 1200. The Lithium Ion battery is long lasting and can print up to 350 pages per charge (standard with the 450cbi and 450wbt, optional with the 450ci).
HP H470wbt Officejet Mobile Printer
For a more current model, HP offers the H470wbt Mobile Printer that currently sells at $350, and has the Bluetooth wireless capability and battery kit included. At Amazon, you may get it cheaper at $249.
There are cheaper models, the H470b, that only has the battery kit included, for $300, and the H470, that has no battery or Bluetooth adapter included, at $200.
These are the more popular small travel printer options that are available to you. I hope that the information above will help you choose the correct small printer for travel that would suit your needs.
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About James Wikkee