HP problems with Snow Leopard

Mac users who have upgraded to Snow Leopard have reported problems with Hewlett-Packard (HP) printers, according to the company's support forums, says Computerworld.

Some were infuriated that their long-reliable printer was not currently supported by Snow Leopard, while others rebelled when HP told them to buy a new printer.

Problems weren't limited to models from HP; other users reported issues with printers from Brother, Canon, Epson and Lexmark.

In today's mobile printer market, there are printers built on toner, inkjet, impact, and thermal print technologies. All of these technologies have been around for a long time, and every one of them has definite advantages and disadvantages, writes Integrated Solutions Magazine.

According to research data from VDC released in March last year, the vast majority of mobile printers are thermal, and more than 76% are direct thermal.

The reason behind this level of mobility market penetration is the fact that thermal print technology has distinct advantages in the mobile work environment. These advantages include size, weight, functional orientation, and reliability.

Epson is replacing its Stylus Pro 3800 medium format (17x22) printer with the 3880, rolling its latest set of technologies down the product line from the Stylus Pro 4880, as well as introducing a new version of its screening architecture, reports CNET News.

The 3880 is getting the eight-colour UltraChrome K3 Vivid Magenta ink set that's already been incorporated in most of Epson's other pro graphics printers, plus the same ink-repellent coating on the printhead to minimize nozzle blockages.

With this model, Epson introduces Accuphoto HD2, an update to its screening technology with look-up tables co-developed with RIT; the new LUTs go a step beyond choosing the appropriate colour for any given dot to selecting the appropriate colour with the lowest metameric index.