From TNPC issue #4.02...

Affordable All-in-one Print, Scanner, Fax Machines

by Al Gordon
January 25, 2001

All-in-one machines--printer-scanner-fax copier-fax combinations- -always used to strike me as proof of the principle, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." While all-in-ones have space-saving virtues, the danger is that if one of the components has to be repaired, then they all are out of commission. And the combos never used to offer the quality of good individual units. The print, scan, or fax capabilities typically had low-end specs.

But Hewlett Packard seems to be trying to change that; most especially with its new "G" series, which is aimed at business and power users. Specs have become more attractive and pricing has become a virtue.

The price of the top model aimed at individual users, the G85, has just been cut to under $600--a reduction of 200 bucks.

Hewlett Packard OfficeJet G85 All In One
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/402/tr.cgi?al1

That pushes it into "Best Buy"--with two capital "B's" -- territory. The price gets you:

* A flatbed scanner-copier-fax with an automatic document feeder;

* 600 x 3600 dpi optical, (up to 9600 dpi enhanced), 36-bit color scan resolution;

* 600x600 dpi black text printing, up to 2400x1200 dpi color printing, at 12 pages per minute black, a claimed 10 ppm color. (As with all printer speed claims, remember that is supposedly based on printing the same page multiple times--and 10 ppm for color is, shall we say, highly optimistic.)

* Fax memory rated at 125 pages and 125 speed dials.

* A software bundle that includes "Director" software to link the unit to your PC. This allows you to fax an electronic document from the PC without having to print it first, or to use your Outlook address book to send a fax. The software bundle is helpful for those getting started, but the serious user will want better graphics programs and OCR programs than the included items.

The G series has bi-directional USB connections, a first for HP, which simplifies the setup task. However, no USB cable is supplied--which is silly at this price point. It does come with a special proprietary cable for parallel port hookups. The unit supports all flavors of Windows and also the Mac OS.

One oddity of the new price is that the $1,000, top-line G95 intended for networked workgroups, has become a worst buy.

Hewlett Packard G95 OfficeJet
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/402/tr.cgi?al2

The G95 has the specs of the G85 and adds a JetDirect print server ($100 when purchased separately) plus a duplex attachment for automatic two-sided copying (a $79 add-on). The G95 is intended for corporate budgets and lottery winners. But a little arithmetic tells us that you can buy a G85, add the print server and duplex "a la carte" and still save 220 bucks.

Hewlett Packard JetDirect 70X Print Server
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/402/tr.cgi?al3

At a lower price point, the K series has similar functions and software to the G series, but forgoes the flatbed in favor of a fax-type sheet feeder. The K60 is a $400 item aimed at home user, and has lower resolution than either the G85 or the G95.

Hewlett Packard K60 OfficeJet
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/402/tr.cgi?al4

The K80 has G85/95-level image quality. But its $500 price is less attractive than it used to be since the G85's price cut.

Hewlett Packard K80 OfficeJet
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/402/tr.cgi?al5

You can reach Al Gordon at:
mailto:al@TheNakedPC.com

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