Archive: Business & Technology

With a couple of PCs and a Mac on our network I had a complicated scheme to make it so that all the computers could print.  I had to use a special switch on my desk to share an HP all-in-one printer (printer/copier/scanner) between my PC and the Mac.  Another printer in the closet was connected to a wireless print server that all the computers could access.  Then the print server died.  My first instinct was to get a new print server.  But then I got to thinking that a wifi-able all-in-one printer might solve multiple problems.

The cost of a printer these days is just a little more than the cost of color cartridges for most brands.  My HP had run completely out of ink, so I decided to look at printers as well as ink prices.  I had heard that Kodak's new marketing strategy was to offer ink at much lower prices, hoping to get a much higher market share.  I found a relatively low priced Kodak all-in-one, the EPS-5200 with wifi capability.  In theory, so far, so good!

The information on this printer wasn't that clear in the store.  The box said that a USB cable (not included) was required.  I wondered, if this is a wifi printer, why does it need a USB cable.  Two helpful people in the store didn't know for sure, but guessed it was for installation.  With a drawer full of cables it didn't matter to me, but it was worrisome.  Also I had tried a print server first.  My system couldn't even recognize it.  Would I have the same problem with the Kodak?

Only one way to find out.  As it turned out, the USB cable is only required if you are installing it as a USB printer.  If you are installing it as a wifi printer you don't need the cable at all.

There are two parts of installing a wifi printer.  The first part installs it on your network, and the second installs it on your computer(s).  Installing it on the network was very easy.  A little screen on the printer itself told me what to do more or less.  It sensed my network automatically, and all I had to do was choose it.  Installing the printer on the computers was equally easy.  You put a CD into your drive and go through a setup program.  No surprises... well one: everything worked very smoothly on both the PC and the Mac.  That doesn't happen often on computers!

Now I can print and scan and maintain my printer from any computer on the network.  The little screen on the printer shows how much ink is left, and programs for the PC and Mac (included) do the same.  Like many printers you can put a camera card into a slot to print without your computer.  I tried it -- it works.  The pictures are displayed on the little screen and you choose the ones you want to print.

The printer itself is a little noisier than the HP, but it seems to print a little faster.  The buttons are laid out nicely, and the little screen provides menus of options for copying, scanning, etc.

In my opinion nobody beats HP for quality of prints.  I have used HP, Canon, and Epson printers, and  now the Kodak.  The print quality on the Kodak is certainly not as good as the HP, but it is acceptable.  When I tried printing a picture I set it to use its best quality on high quality photo paper, and it was OK compared to the HP, not quite as wonderful. And unless I am missing something, it is miserable at envelope printing.  When you consider the savings in ink costs, the quality I am getting is acceptable.  I don't know if a more expensive Kodak would match my cheap HP.

At least part of this may be accounted for in the different kinds of ink they use.  HP uses dye-based ink, while Kodak uses pigment-based ink.  Dye-based ink produces brighter colors.  Pigment-based inks don't fade as fast.  HP claims its prints last for decades, and Kodak claims they can make their colors as vibrant as the competition.  Both the HP and Kodak I have are low-end printers.  The bottom line is that the HP produces noticeably better prints.

The Kodak solved three problems for me.  First, I expect to save considerably on ink costs.  I don't know why printer ink is so expensive, and I think Kodak is on to something.  Second, every computer on my network can now use the one printer (and house guests will be able to use it on their laptops if they want to install the software).  Third, I was able to get that switch off my desk -- I don't need it any more since the printer talks to my Mac as lucidly as to the PC.

If the print quality were better I would give this printer five out of five stars.  I haven't had it very long, but at this point I'd give it almost four stars -- after all printing is what printers do.  You want them to do it as well as possible.  If you print photos a lot or need presentation-quality printouts this printer may not be for you.  But for those of us with everyday printing needs the value, ease of use, and convenience of this printer, along with the lower priced ink make the ESC 5200 a solid contender.

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