Saturday, April 7, 2012

Mobile Solutions for Printing

By Allyson Westcot


Unlike a desktop printer's capability to do a few different things, a mobile printer generally just prints. Those that need scanning capabilities in the field often also get a hand held scanner that looks as different from a desktop scanner as a mobile printer looks from a home printing station. Workers who can gain advantage from a printer (and regularly a scanner) are employees like insurance claims adjusters, sales operatives and others who used rugged laptops in their regular lives.

Mobile printers are small enough to be held in a hand, and can be perched about anywhere to print out. Starting at a weight of only about a pound, they are built to be highly compact, simple to take along and easy to use. They'll fit well in many glove compartments or carry bags, and can even be straightforward to mount in a vehicle.

Their mobility requires a specific amount of shock resistance that you're not going to find in the standard desktop printer, with some brands and models clearly in a position to handle more than some others. If you intend to mount the printer in a vehicle, it may be best to have a look at a model that comes with an in-vehicle kit so you know it's designed specially for that use.

Page size is vitally important. If you simply need to print receipts and never anything bigger, you may be ready to get a special receipt printer that costs less, but offers less functionality. For the majority, a standard-size page is mandatory even in the field, so be sure the mobile printer will print a standard-sized page.

Determine if you'll be printing text or if you need to be in a position to print graphics in the field. For basic printing, a less-expensive printer that provides a resolution of 200 dpi may be enough. For more graphic printing, one of no less than 300 dpi may be best. Finally, be sure that the printer has compatibility with the operating software you use on your rugged system to be sure it will work correctly.




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