As the laptop gets smaller and smaller down to a size, we even have to change their names to a notebook already, then it comes as no surprise that the printer would follow suit. Now everyone is on the lookout for the smallest printer.
Why would it matter if your printer were compact? Well, for one thing, it saves you space. At your home, it could sit conveniently on one corner, or you could easily stash it in your cabinet. It not only protects it from dirt and dust, you avoid any mishaps like accidentally knocking it off the table, or spilling some drinks on it. This is typically normal in a household with children.
Meanwhile, for travelling this is a great tool. If you have to go out of town, or abroad for a couple of months, then you would not necessarily but everything that you already have at home. However, you still need to have some means to work on your computer, print stuff if you have to and so forth. Expatriates in particular, usually just leave their stuff instead of taking them home. Now you could take home your printer with you because it is so small.
Your printer makes it easier for you to connect to your other gadgets like iPhone, Blackberry or PDA’s. Now you do not need to worry about buying the right cables and stuff.
Two of the Smallest Portable Printers
In this day and age when life just passes by so quickly, we always need to be on the go. To help us get on with our work even while we travel, or if our work itself takes us travelling, then what would be better than having the luxury of bringing your office anywhere you go. It used to be a dilemma especially to the busy traveling professionals, but now small portable printers have become the most sought after solution to our instant printing requirements.
Depending really on your needs, there are small printers that can print up to A4 size documents and those that are primarily photo printers. However, for the purposes of this article, we shall feature two portable printers that can print documents using the direct thermal technology.
What is thermal technology?
First of all, you must understand that the paper used in this method of printing is not your regular plain paper. It is called the Thermochromic paper which is made of a chemical that reacts to heat exposure thereby creating a color shift. It is a combination of a dye and a matrix of acids. When you heat it up to its melting point the dye reacts to the acid by changing colors. And when it has cooled down it locks into the changed form of the dye. That’s your printed text or image.
This technology has long been used by ATMs and cash registers, the printout of your receipt.
These two samples of portable printers featured here on this article, uses the same technology. The only difference is that these two printers print up to a full page A4 size document. With no inks, no smudging. Just an excellent printout of your document. Just don’t leave it under the heat of the sun, and the entire paper could totally black out. Another thing is that it only prints in black and not color.
Our Recommendations
Brother Pocketjet 3 Plus
[easyazon-image-link asin="B000P30IKO" alt="Pocketjet 3 Portable Printer" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21jQMSEvArL._SL160_.jpg" align="right" width="160" height="160"]The Brother Pocketjet 3 Plus printer has low maintenance cost and therefore, low printing cost. It can run on a battery that could yield at least 100 pages per charge. Battery is rechargeable, and in the box, an AC adapter is included to recharge the battery.
Prints at a speed of three pages per minute at a resolution of 300 dpi. Very slow indeed but what do you expect for a small portable one. Very compact and easy to slip into your bag at anytime, it has dimensions of L 10.04″ x W 2.17″ x H 1.18″ and weighs only 1.12 lbs. with the battery. Has the capacity for wireless printing through various interfaces, such as IrDA, USB 1.1, and the optional Bluetooth.
It is currently available at Amazon new for $200 plus shipping. You may check Amazon regularly for the best deals on the product. You may find used or refurbished on sale through the site. It comes with a one-year full warranty from the manufacturer.
Planon Printstik PS900
[easyazon-image-link asin="B001U8KKAG" alt="Planon PrintStick PS900, Full Page Mobile Thermal Printer with USB Interface" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11tS1TQe0HL._SL160_.jpg" align="left" width="160" height="160"]On the other hand, there is the Planon Printstik PS900. It comes in other varieties of the model, PS905ME and PS910ME. It has a very small footprint, with dimensions of 1 inch high x 2 inches deep x 11 inches wide, and a weight of 1.5 lbs. including the paper cartridge.
Print speeds of 3 pages per minute at a maximum resolution of 400 dpi. Maximum number of pages printed for every charge is more than 30. Paper cartridge holds up to 20 pages. You may likewise print through your Blackberry, PocketPC, and mobile PC.
Still available at the Planon store for around $200, but you may find it cheaper as usual at Amazon.com at around $180 plus shipping.
In Closing
As a summary, these two printers use the same thermal technology, offer relatively good prints. If you are always on the go, then any of these two printers will definitely provide you a solution to your instant printing requirements.
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