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The Inkjet Tests

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PCQ Bureau
New Update
Printout

quality

This is an important test parameter,

though it tends to be subjective. PCQ Labs breaks it into several smaller objective tests,

and converts qualitative parameters into quantitative ones with the statistical

Brown-Gibson model.

The tests include: reproducing a thin line at an angle of

one degree smoothly; converging many thin lines–radially–to a point, and

reproducing two-point Times New Roman text clearly. Other tests involve studying the

dithering or screen patterns of printouts under high magnification. For instance, this is

a part of a full-page printout (inset) magnified at 500 percent, showing its actual

screening pattern.

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At PCQ Labs, we tested six inkjet printers under Rs

16,000. To avoid comparing Rs 7,000 printer (the cheapest in the shootout) with a Rs

16,000 one, we divided the printers into two categories: those under Rs 10,000, and those

over Rs 10,000 and under Rs 16,000. There were four printers in the first category and two

in the second.

All the printers were tested on a P II system with 64 MB

RAM and Win 98. We used a standalone machine with Office 97, CorelDRAW 8, and Photoshop 5.

Word processing tests were done using Word 97, and

CorelDRAW 8 was used for graphics test. All speed tests were timed thrice and their

average taken. If the difference between any of the two readings was more than 10 percent,

the test was repeated. We carried out all the tests in every printer resolution mode

separately, testing the printer’s efficiency and speed in each mode. We also carried

out a number of quality tests by printing graphics on plain and inkjet papers, as

specified by the vendor.

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We then calculated the page per minute (ppm) capability of

each printer, and compared the quality of the printouts in different modes. The

printer’s features and price were further added to find out the one that offered best

value to you.

Sara Hassan and Sougata Das



at PCQ Labs Tests

color="#FFFFFF">Tests and weightages
color="#000000">Print speeds

Time

taken to print the first page of a multi-page file



Time taken to print a full-page color graphic


Time taken for printing a full-page monochrome graphic


Average speed per page of a multi-page file


Time taken for printing a single page with text and a small color graphic


Time taken per page for multiple copies of the same page


Total




Note:

Timings for text prints are

for default or standard mode, while those for graphics and text plus graphics are for the

best quality available on normal paper. Timings for text prints are

for default or standard mode, while those for graphics and text plus graphics are for the

best quality available on normal paper.

face="Arial" size="2" color="#000000">27



23


22


14


9


5


100




color="#000000">Print quality

Quality

of a full-page color graphics on ordinary paper



Quality of monochrome graphics on ordinary paper


Quality of text prints


Quality of CMYK mix on ordinary paper


Quality of fountain fill


Quality of full-page color graphics on speciality inkjet paper


Total




Note

: Qualitative analysis was

done on printouts taken at the best mode the printer could print in.

size="2" color="#000000">29



24


18


14


10


5


100




color="#000000">Price and features

color="#000000">Price of the printer



Drivers for multiple platforms


Warranty


Total

size="2" color="#000000">31



13


6


50

face="Arial" size="2">Click here to see printers at a glance and

the results .
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