Do you have trouble understanding all the jargon associated with buying a new printer, then look no further:
Wireless printing
Wireless printers connect to your PC or Mac using your home WiFi network and can be accessed from anywhere in your house, meaning you don’t even have to be in the same room to print.
Several computers and mobile devices can use the same printer, which can be placed in the most convenient location for you and your household. If you want to wirelessly print from a tablet or smartphone, you’ll need a printer that features AirPrint, Google Cloud Print or email printing. See below for more information.
Wi-Fi Direct/Wireless Direct
WiFi Direct provides a wireless connection between a printer and device, even if no WiFi signal is present - perfect for homes and offices without a wireless network or in an office as a backup should the network go down.
Apple Airprint
Apple AirPrint allows you to print directly from Apple iOS products and comes built in to iPhones from the 3GS and up, 3rd generation iPods onwards and all iPads. Look for Apple AirPrint as a highlighted feature within our range to ensure you can print from your favourite Apple device.
Google Cloud print
Google Cloud Print is included on all Android devices and lets you print wirelessly from your tablet or smartphone. Simply create or log into a Gmail/Google account to get started.
Look for Cloud Print as a highlighted feature to ensure you’ll be able to print from your Android device.
NFC
Near field communication (NFC) is a relatively new feature to printers. Often included on tablets and smartphones, it allows two devices to connect simply by touching together, making syncing a printer with another NFC device effortless. Look for NFC as a highlighted feature on wireless printers.
Email printing
Email printing is a feature available on selected HP printers and provides wireless printing from any email capable device. Each printer has a unique, customisable email address and once connected to your home WiFi, prints any images or text documents it receives. Most manufacturers have their own version of email printing. Look out for ‘email printing’ as a highlighted feature within our printing range.
Print quality DPI
DPI stands for dots per inch and is a basic measure of print quality. A printer with a higher DPI delivers clear, detailed pictures although other factors such as ink play a part in overall print quality.
If you’re looking for vibrant, lifelike photographs, a good quality inkjet printer provides enhanced colour reproduction and the glossy, developed-photo look that makes for a fantastic printed image.
Print speed
Measured in pages per minute (PPM) for text and images per minute (IPM) for photographs, you should consider print speed if you regularly print in large amounts.
Monochrome printer
Monochrome printers exclusively print black and white documents. Monochrome laser printers feature higher print speeds over everyday inkjet printers.
Paper size
The most commonly printed page size is Letter and the vast majority of printers print in this format. Many printers also print smaller, so whether you want the familiar 4 x 6 developed-photo size or specialist envelope sizes, most accept a wide range of photo and document paper.
Double sided print
Auto duplex is a handy feature that gives you the choice to automatically print on both sides of the paper, helping you look after the environment while saving money in the process.
ADF Feeder
An automatic document feeder (ADF) allows you to scan or copy multiple documents simultaneously, without having to manually insert individual pages. They can be found on scanners and all-in-one printers and are usually located on top of the scanner or within the main paper tray.
Memory card slot
Many printers feature a memory card slot. This makes is possible to print directly from an SD or memory card without the need to connect to a PC. Simply pop the card in and use the printer’s screen to select the documents you need.
Pictbridge
PictBridge makes printing from your digital camera easy. Simply connect your camera via USB cable to print photos directly, without having to remove your SD card or connect to a computer.
OCR
OCR stands for optical character recognition and is a feature found on a number of scanners and all-in-one printers. OCR allows a scanned document to be converted into a word processing document that can be edited on a PC or tablet. While this usually only applies to printed text documents, some models feature handwriting recognition too.
HP Instant Ink
HP Instant Ink is an instant ink replacement service - ordered by your printer, delivered to your door.
Epson Ecotank
Epson EcoTank printers feature unique ink tanks that can be refilled and topped-up as necessary using cost-effective ink bottles.
Souce: Choosing the perfect printer
Wireless printing
Wireless printers connect to your PC or Mac using your home WiFi network and can be accessed from anywhere in your house, meaning you don’t even have to be in the same room to print.
Several computers and mobile devices can use the same printer, which can be placed in the most convenient location for you and your household. If you want to wirelessly print from a tablet or smartphone, you’ll need a printer that features AirPrint, Google Cloud Print or email printing. See below for more information.
Wi-Fi Direct/Wireless Direct
WiFi Direct provides a wireless connection between a printer and device, even if no WiFi signal is present - perfect for homes and offices without a wireless network or in an office as a backup should the network go down.
Apple Airprint
Apple AirPrint allows you to print directly from Apple iOS products and comes built in to iPhones from the 3GS and up, 3rd generation iPods onwards and all iPads. Look for Apple AirPrint as a highlighted feature within our range to ensure you can print from your favourite Apple device.
Google Cloud print
Google Cloud Print is included on all Android devices and lets you print wirelessly from your tablet or smartphone. Simply create or log into a Gmail/Google account to get started.
Look for Cloud Print as a highlighted feature to ensure you’ll be able to print from your Android device.
NFC
Near field communication (NFC) is a relatively new feature to printers. Often included on tablets and smartphones, it allows two devices to connect simply by touching together, making syncing a printer with another NFC device effortless. Look for NFC as a highlighted feature on wireless printers.
Email printing
Email printing is a feature available on selected HP printers and provides wireless printing from any email capable device. Each printer has a unique, customisable email address and once connected to your home WiFi, prints any images or text documents it receives. Most manufacturers have their own version of email printing. Look out for ‘email printing’ as a highlighted feature within our printing range.
Print quality DPI
DPI stands for dots per inch and is a basic measure of print quality. A printer with a higher DPI delivers clear, detailed pictures although other factors such as ink play a part in overall print quality.
If you’re looking for vibrant, lifelike photographs, a good quality inkjet printer provides enhanced colour reproduction and the glossy, developed-photo look that makes for a fantastic printed image.
Print speed
Measured in pages per minute (PPM) for text and images per minute (IPM) for photographs, you should consider print speed if you regularly print in large amounts.
Monochrome printer
Monochrome printers exclusively print black and white documents. Monochrome laser printers feature higher print speeds over everyday inkjet printers.
Paper size
The most commonly printed page size is Letter and the vast majority of printers print in this format. Many printers also print smaller, so whether you want the familiar 4 x 6 developed-photo size or specialist envelope sizes, most accept a wide range of photo and document paper.
Double sided print
Auto duplex is a handy feature that gives you the choice to automatically print on both sides of the paper, helping you look after the environment while saving money in the process.
ADF Feeder
An automatic document feeder (ADF) allows you to scan or copy multiple documents simultaneously, without having to manually insert individual pages. They can be found on scanners and all-in-one printers and are usually located on top of the scanner or within the main paper tray.
Memory card slot
Many printers feature a memory card slot. This makes is possible to print directly from an SD or memory card without the need to connect to a PC. Simply pop the card in and use the printer’s screen to select the documents you need.
Pictbridge
PictBridge makes printing from your digital camera easy. Simply connect your camera via USB cable to print photos directly, without having to remove your SD card or connect to a computer.
OCR
OCR stands for optical character recognition and is a feature found on a number of scanners and all-in-one printers. OCR allows a scanned document to be converted into a word processing document that can be edited on a PC or tablet. While this usually only applies to printed text documents, some models feature handwriting recognition too.
HP Instant Ink
HP Instant Ink is an instant ink replacement service - ordered by your printer, delivered to your door.
Epson Ecotank
Epson EcoTank printers feature unique ink tanks that can be refilled and topped-up as necessary using cost-effective ink bottles.
Souce: Choosing the perfect printer
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