Thanks to Silverbrook Research's Memjet, HP's Edgeline, and Kodak's EasyShare we might someday look back at 2007 as the year the inkjet printer began to leapfrog the laser printer in terms of speed and cost per page.
A few weeks ago, Databazaar Blog published five interviews about the printer industry's past, present, and future with five printer pundits. They all agreed on the importance of 2007, but offered different forecasts of the future. However, they did agree on one issue — inkjet versus laser.
For example, Vince Ferraro of HP felt that both inkjet and laser printers would continue to play important but different roles in offices. Inkjet supplies analyst Andy Lippman of Lyra Research noted that even today "25% to 35% of all desktop inkjet devices are installed in a business environment." He expects this percentage to grow, but not necessarily at the expense of laser printers.
Art Diamond, a world-renowned toner expert and holder of several patents, agreed, noting that "old technologies die hard." M. David Stone, PC Magazine's resident printer expert, also agreed, adding, "Even if inkjets catch up in speed, there's still a quality issue."
Printer industry consultant Jim Lyons said he could see a day when inkjets make laser printers obsolete. "Toner may be seen as a temporary aberration in the long view," he said. "I'm still not giving up my LaserJets just yet though!" he added.
This issue was one of many covered. If your law firm is a heavy user of printers, check out all five interviews.
HP Executive Vincent Ferraro Discusses HP's Past, Present, and Future
Industry Expert Jim Lyons Discusses HP, its Competitors, and the Future of Printing
Toner Pioneer Art Diamond Reflects on His 52 Year Career and the Future of Printing
Inkjet Expert Andy Lippman Discusses Memjet and the Coming Inkjet Printer Revolution
PC Magazine Contributing Editor M. David Stone Closes Out Printer Pundit Week With Panache
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