Touch screens have become commonplace on smart phones and they're a necessity for tablets; even some desktop all-in-one PCs sport one. Now, touch screens have migrated to printers as well. A touch-based interface is particularly good for multi-function printers (MFPs), whose users may have to quickly switch between tasks.
HP and Lexmark have been at the forefront of the move to bring Web-enabled printers to consumers and businesses. Touch screens are natural interfaces for running Web apps. In part because of this, HP and Lexmark have brought more touch-screen printers to market than other manufacturers.
Both HP and Lexmark have a combination of business- and consumer-oriented Web apps. HP's Web apps, featured in printers like the HP Photosmart eStation (which has a touch panel that doubles as a basic tablet/ereader) and HP Photosmart Plus e-All-in-One, tend to be more consumer-friendly; the screens of these photo-centric printers are also great for previewing photos.
Lexmark's apps tend to be geared more to business, and are featured in small-office machines like the snazzy Lexmark Genesis S816. The Epson WorkForce 840 All-in-One, also a small-office MFP, doesn't have print apps, but it comes equipped a lovely touch screen.
In office multi-function printers (MFPs) like the Lexmark c792de, Lexmark X548dte, HP LaserJet Pro CM1415fnw, and HP Laserjet Enterprise M4555h MFP, touch screens are used primarily for easy access to the printer's multi-function features (scanning, copying, and faxing). That's also the case with the Dell 2355dn and Brother MFC-9970CDW.
Not every printer needs a touch screen, but including one makes the user experience easier and more pleasant. Touch-screen printers tend to be more expensive than non-touch models, but the screen is added value and for many that is worth the boost in price. More and more printer manufacturers are adding a distinctive, attractive, and user-friendly touch (pun intended) to their products. Web-enabled printers need touch screens to run apps, so as more manufacturers introduce such models, we'll see a boom in printers with screens that respond to the touch of a finger.
Featured in this Roundup
Brother MFC-9970CDW
$700 street
The Brother MFC-9970CDW's output quality is a little disappointing for graphics and photos, but the color laser multifunction printer offers fast speed, high quality text, and lots of features.
Dell 2355dn Multifunction Mono Laser Printer
$599.99 direct
The Dell 2355dn Multifunction Mono Laser Printer delivers acceptable speed, output quality, and paper handling paired with an exceptional wealth of features.
Epson WorkForce 840 All-in-One
$300 street
The Epson WorkForce 840 All-in-One provides a good set of all-in-one functions and superior paper capacity for a small-office MFP, at a decent price.
HP Laserjet Enterprise M4555h MFP
$2,799 direct
With a 120GB built-in hard drive, the HP LaserJet Enterprise M4555h MFP is a capable network mono laser MFP for an office with huge printing demands and equally deep pockets.
HP LaserJet Pro CM1415fnw
$449 direct
The HP LaserJet Pro CM1415fnw color MFP is unusually easy to use, thanks largely to its color touch screen control panel.
HP Photosmart eStation
$399 direct
The HP PhotoSmart eStation's 7-inch touch screen is detachable and doubles as a basic tablet and eReader.
HP Photosmart Plus e-All-in-One
$149 direct
The HP Photosmart Plus e-All-in-One is an MFP geared largely to home use and particularly photo printing, at which it excels.
Lexmark c792de
$1,599 direct
The Lexmark C792de laser printer has the paper capacity and speed to handle color printing in a busy workgroup.
Lexmark Genesis S816
$399 list
The Lexmark Genesis S816 offers impressive speed and ample paper handling for a small to medium-size office or workgroup, but lacks paper handling options for heavy-duty printing.
Lexmark X548dte
$1,749 direct
The Lexmark X548dte delivers fast speed, unusually high-quality graphics and photos, acceptable text, and an easy to use front-panel touch screen.
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