Originally published July 25 2005
Hewlett-Packard updates printer line
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Hewlett-Packard announced new ink-based printers designed to print photos faster and cheaper. Similarly, Canon has just released lower-end printers. HP’s new offerings include a photo printer that creates pictures in 14 seconds.
Hoping to maintain its lead in the printer market, Hewlett-Packard on Monday announced new ink-based printers designed to churn out photos and color pages faster and cheaper than before.
The announcement marked the latest volley between computer companies trying to diversify as PC sales growth slows.
However, the new printers face fierce competition.
As HP unveiled its latest gadgets, Canon announced two new low-end photo printers, at only $49.99 and $129.99.
HP's new offerings include a photo printer that creates pictures in 14 seconds, ranging from $199 to $299; and a desktop color business printer that the company claims will print twice as fast as color laser printers.
The HP products are based on a new ink-based printing platform using lithographic technology, the result of a $1.4-billion investment and five years of development.
Because components are physically bonded rather than integrated, HP said the printers are 50 percent less expensive to make.
- ADVERTISEMENT The announcement was the third in a series of so-called BigBang announcements, in which HP hopes to dominate the digital imaging market with new products.
As PC market sales slow down, HP and computer companies are focusing their efforts away from personal computers, most recently with Dell's new $99 laser printer.
But printing and imaging, a $156-billion global market, according to Gartner, has been HP's strongest sector, with the company owning more than 50 percent share in inkjet printers alone.
"This technology is the next step in our business transformation," said Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president for HP's printing and imaging group.
"I think the goal is to introduce [the new platform] to other products," said analyst Brent Bracelin of Pacific Crest Securities.
But he cautioned that HP faces tough competitors.
"Canon, for example, uses a similar technology for their printer heads."
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