Last week we showed you Epson's newest line of WorkForce printers, and this week Epson is back with another announcement: an "Artisan" series developed with the creative designer in mind. Unlike the WorkForce Series, the Artisan 700 and 800 are perfect for both household consumers and entrepreneurs that want a do-it-all printer that can perform multiple functions.
The Artisan 800 ($300) is the flagship model of the series with a comprehensive list of functions that include Wi-Fi, fax machine, copier with an Automatic Document Feeder, PictBridge support, and a dual paper tray to separate plain and photo-specific paper. Most intriguing is the huge 7.8-inch smart touch panel and accompanying 3.5-inch LCD with buttons that only light up the controls you need to perform a specific function. You can also do light editing right on the printer itself without the aid of external software.
The Artisan 700 ($200) is a slightly slimmed-down version of the 800 but still retains an array of features that will ease the creative consumer into printing, scanning, and copying documents and high-definition photographs. The 700 has the same "piano black" finish as the 800 and also uses the same six-color "Ultra Hi-Definition Claria" ink that delivers 1.5-picoliter size droplets for a more realistic and accurate print. The 700 and 800 both offer the ability to turn plain white paper into college, wide-ruled, or graphed school paper using software built into the driver that comes with the printer. Finally, Epson reports print rates at 38 color and black-and-white pages per minute, but we'll be sure to put that number to the test in our CNET Labs. Look for full reviews coming soon.
Both printers are backed by Epson's comprehensive two-year "Epson Preferred" warranty that includes toll-free telephone support and access to MyEpson.com, a site that has a number of tutorials designed to walk you through the various functions on the machine. Both printers will be available in September of this year.
Monday marked a milestone for Epson printers, as the company revealed a new line of all-in-one and photo printers designed for the small- to medium-size business consumer.
The two single-function WorkForce 30 and 40s, as well as the higher-end WorkForce 500 and 600 all-in-ones, promise to deliver speed, quality, and utility in an attractive package. Judging from the initial pictures, the WorkForce 600, the new line's flagship model, appears to have a comprehensive set of buttons on the faceplate surrounding its 2.5-inch LCD screen.
According to the release, the 600 is both speedy and efficient, capable of printing laser-quality black text at an impressive 27 pages per minute. It offers both wired and wireless connectivity with an auto document feeder as well as an impressive two year warranty. The $200 WorkForce 600 is currently available for preorder through Amazon.com and BestBuy for a limited time before a wide release in late August.
The $130 WorkForce 500 isn't quite as comprehensive as the 600, but it still retains the same 30-page auto document feeder and 2.5-inch LCD as its beefier brother. Like the rest of the printers across the WorkForce line, the 4-in-1 printer, copier, scanner, and fax machine uses Epson's photo-quality DURABrite Ultra Ink that offers fade, water and smudge resistance on each photo for a 100-year lifespan. It will also be available later this month in a variety of retail stores.
Finally, the lower-level WorkForce 30 ($70) and 40 ($130) single function inkjets are made for individuals or small business that simply need a printer for black text and light photo printing. The WorkForce 40 includes built-in Wi-Fi as well as wired networking and accepts Epson's higher-capacity black ink cartridges, while the WorkForce 30 reportedly prints eleven pages per minute and uses a unique dual black ink cartridge system that supposedly delivers twice as much black printing. The WorkForce 30 will be available in late August, and the WorkForce 40 will hit stores in September through all the major retailers.
- prev
- 1
- next
