Print Contracts And More from Your Car
By Chad A. Johnson · June 26, 2008
For nearly 2 years now, I have been trying to write a post on mobile printers. The idea has always intrigued me. The ability to print contracts or a listing flier from your car or a coffee shop seems like the perfect fit for the mobile real estate agent.
The problem that I have had in writing the post has come that my experiences with mobile inkjet printers. Poor print quality and speed, and fragile construction has made it difficult to recommend any real estate agent rely on one of these devices.
The latest generation of mobile printers by Canon and HP are revitalizing the idea of printing on the go. Both companies have mobile inkjet printers that produce quality prints at a surprisingly fast rate.
Top Mobile Printer Models
The Canon Pixma iP100 is the latest entry in a long line of Canon mobile inkjet printers. Unlike its predecessors, this new model performs more like larger desktop printers. Printing with 5 ink colors at up to 20 pages per minute, the issues that I have experienced using an older Pixma iP90 seem to have been addressed.
The HP Officejet H470wbt is the top of the HP line of mobile printers. Unlike its less expensive siblings, the H470wbt includes both a Bluetooth adapter and a lithium battery. Printing speed of the Officejet H470wbt bests the iP100 by 2 pages per minute, but color prints may be hindered by the inclusion of only 4 ink colors.
Choosing the Right Mobile Printer
Deciding which printer is right for you will depend on how you will be using the printer.
As with other Canon printers, the Pixma iP100’s real strength is in photo printing. It also has a lower price than the HP model, thanks to the lack of an included battery or Bluetooth adapter. These accessories and others, such as a car adapter, are available but will easily add another 60% or more to the price of the device.
The Canon is a better choice for the real estate agent who will be printing within reach of a power outlet and doesn’t mind connecting a USB cable (or doesn’t have a Bluetooth adapter in their laptop).
The HP Officejet H470wbt focuses on truly mobile business printing. The included lithium battery and Bluetooth adapter allow a real estate agent to print from anywhere, without the need for power outlet or USB cable.
While the price of the HP may seem higher than the Canon, it is actually cheaper than the iP100 with the optional Bluetooth adapter and lithium battery. This makes the HP the choice for the truly model warrior. Just pull out the Officejet, drop in paper and print from any Bluetooth-enabled device, like a laptop or smartphone.
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Have you road tested either? Has anyone? My last experience with a HP portable was horrible. Bad design – gears burned out on two of them after only a few hundred pages. Tech support admitted they had a problem. Have they cleaned up their act?
I have run across a few mobile printer users who have grown to rely on them. Granted, they each made it clear that they don’t use the mobile printers as an everyday printer.
One person that I talked to runs seminars and found that having the mobile printer at the registration stand for last minute prints changed the way she does business.
C-Net reviewed the HP mobile printer line for more information http://reviews.cnet.com/inkjet-printers/hp-officejet-h470wbt-mobile/4505-3156_7-32815588.html.
How durable are they… If left in my truck could it survive windy roads and bumps? Do they have mobile printer specific carrying cases? Do any offer the use of a cigarette lighter/utility plug as power source or are they all battery operated?
Like any other technology, you must handle with care. You can purchase cases from the manufacturers or third-party companies to protect from investment.
As you should with your laptop, keep it in the case, avoid knocking it around (don’t let it bang around in your trunk, and don’t leave it in your car on very hot or very cold days.
As too your question about car adapters, both Canon and HP offer them.
I had the HP and it was fantastic being able to print on the go. The bluetooth was a little tempermental, I had to align it just so with the laptop but once it connected, it was good. Not for major use but absolutely perfect for contracts and docs on the go – I used mine for heavy duty and it eventually died…the paper pulled from one side more than the other.
I’ve been using the Canon Pixma iP90v for the past 9 months and have been relatively happy with it. I use it to print out contracts and MLS printouts (both agent and client versions) when viewing houses. My biggest complaint so far is the speed at which I go through ink cartridges … considering the need to be small, this is a problem I would guess all portable printers experience.
If the Canon iP100 is smaller/lighter in size and can print significantly faster, I’ll consider making the switch; otherwise, I’ll be happy to keep the iP90v.
Deborah and Brian,
Thank you for sharing your firsthand experiences with mobile printers. Nothing beats the knowledge gained from living with a technology and relying upon it.
Great article Chad.
I have used the Canon iP90 for the past couple of years, and it’s working pretty well. What attracted me to this particular printer was that it’s totally cordless — with the battery pack and the bluetooth adapter, you’re completely wireless (no wifi, though.) It’s pretty compact too, so it will fit in an expandable briefcase.
If you combine this wireless printer with a broadband-enabled laptop, you can start to see the true “mobile office” dream start to become a reality. This has been a huge plus for me at open houses, or if I’m in a pinch and need to print a few pages out on the fly.
Downsides? Bluetooth as a technology is slooooooow for anything requiring graphics. Buy a $10 USB cable and throw it in your briefcase for those times when you absolutely need the speed.
Chuck
Okay, nearly 6 months after this post was started and it’s finally time to make my car a mobile office. In the office, I use my scanner to save and send documents all the time, Do they offer a mobile all-in-one printer or a mobile scanner?