Selecting a multifunction: What is "optimized" dpi

D

Durbrow

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Hello. I trying to decide between 3 multifunction inkjets for the purpose of proofing or previewing a small newsletter and doing simple scanning. Here are the models reviewed in recent Macworlds (all them got 4 mice)

Stylus Photo RX500 Price as rated: $249
PSC 2410 Photosmart Price as rated: $324
Epson CX4600 ($99 to $129)

The CX4600 sounds most appropriate but I can't get a handle on black and white printing dpi. The website says up to "5760 x 1440 optimized dpi delivers exceptional image quality whether printing photos, documents, or flyers." But macworld said that text was just "good". My two questions: what does optimized dpi mean and is comparable to the simple dpi reported on the HP site?

And, does anyone have any experience with these printers esp for text?

Thanks!
 
I suspect "Optimised" DPI is another one of these advertiding gimmicks similar to "Watts PMPO" used to bump up the specifications of stereos. You may have seen the current spate of cheapo stereos claiming "2000 Watts!" in big letters with "PMPO" tacked on in small type. It basically means "Yeah, its 2000 watts, but on a different scale to that traditionally used to measure sound output (RMS)."

I find it hard to believe that the CX4600 has an actual resolution higher than 600 dpi, maybe 1200 at most. The "optimised" rating would be a software-interpolated and anti-aliased blowup of the image. Its kind of like saying "I recorded this song on mono audio tape, copied it onto my computer, applied simulated stereo and burned it to a CD, therefore it now has the "optimised" quality of CD-Audio!"

This is not a unique thing either. A quick browse around eBay will net you an 8 megapixel digital camera, that on reading the fine print shows an actual resolution of less than 2 megapixels.

In other words, don't be fooled by product specs. These are very easy to tweak around.
 
I bought a PSC2400 for my Aunt and I'd recommend it to anyone. It's very simple to use (good thing for her, she's a/the anti-techie) and produces great results. Black text is laser sharp and color printing is excellent. Photo printing is excellent for a multi-function or even a regular ink-jet.

Only downside to me is the ink cartridges...they're a bit on the small side. I prefer HPs older style cartridges which hold a lot more ink...I go through it like crazy and I'm lazy...nothing worse than replacing a cartridge every other day or week. If you don't print like a banshee, then you'll get a while from them. In my Aunt's how they got around 3 or 4 months from their black, and that's with 3 school aged kids who use it a lot. The price on the cartridges isn't too bad either.
 
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