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Epson announces Artisan photo all-in-ones
By Rick LePage | August 27, 2008
Epson has announced two new all-in-one photo inkjet printers, the Artisan 700 (Amazon link) and Artisan 800 (Amazon), that offer print, scan and copy functionality and built-in wireless and Ethernet connectivity.
The new printers, which are priced at $300 (Artisan 800) and $200 (700), are six-color inkjets (with individual ink tanks) using Epson’s Claria dye-based inks. Other features include:
- dual paper trays, one for paper up to 8.5" by 14", the other for 4" by 6" and 5" by 7" photo paper;
- integrated tray for printing on optical media (printable CDs and DVDs);
- built-in card readers for most popular formats (CompactFlash, SD, xD-PictureCard, Memory Stick);
- significant PC-free printing features, including photo restoration, customized photo layouts, photo notepaper, and school project items;
- scanning to computer, memory card or USB-based flash drive.
The Artisan 700’s scanner has a maximum hardware scan resolution of 2400 dpi, while the Artisan 800 has a maximum hardware scan resolution of 4800 dpi. The 800 also includes fax capabilities and a 30-sheet document feeder.
We’ve tested and used Epson’s previous photo all-in-ones, the RX595 and RX680, and have been generally impressed. The Claria inkset, which is also used in the Stylus Photo 1400, is very good, and it offers excellent print longevity, according to Wilhelm Research’s data (click the links for reports on the RX595, RX680 and 1400). The addition of WiFi and Ethernet is a good one, and is necessary at these higher price points. HP has done especially well with the Photosmart C7280, and it’s been clear that Epson has needed to beef up its all-in-one offerings. One area where we’ll be very interested to see how well Epson does is in the wireless computer-printer connection; HP’s software is quite good, and it’s relatively painless to remotely scan documents directly to multiple PCs on a network from the C7280.
Both devices will work with Mac OS X (10.3.9 and higher) and Microsoft Windows XP and Vista and come with a two-year limited warranty. They’re slated to ship in September.
Topics: News |
September 10th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
These look very good. I assume Canon will release some printers at Photokina. I just heard some good specs for the EOS 5D and a rumoured formal announcement date of Sept. 17th. So printers should be released a few days later…