HP touts new all-in-one printers

By Richard Shim

Hewlett Packard is launching two new all-in-one printers in response to what it observes as a shift in user opinion about the combination devices.

"They were once viewed as compromise products because they didn't offer the latest qualities; they were complicated to use, less reliable and expensive," HP spokesman John Solomon said. "But the market is moving.There are no trade-offs."

IDC analyst Dan Corsetti agreed with Solomon, noting that printers with scanners and copiers are faster, offer better print quality and provide additional features such as photo proof sheets.

HP will begin shipping the HP PSC 2110 and PSC 2210 within the next four weeks. The $249 HP PSC 2110 can print, copy and scan. The $399 PSC 2210 model can print, copy, scan, fax and has built-in flash memory-card readers. The memory readers allow consumers to print images without first downloading the files to a PC.

Solomon said the all-in-one printer category grew 98 per cent in the first quarter of 2002 compared with the prior year, with HP holding 60 per cent of that segment. Of the overall printer market, HP also is the leader, with a share of just over 50 per cent, according to research firm IDC. Lexmark holds the number two spot with 18 per cent.

Printers and related accessories are HP's "crown jewel," but controlling such a large chunk of the market means further growth can be slow. While overall printer shipments in the first quarter declined 8 per cent compared with the same period a year ago, HP managed to pick up 5 per cent market share in the second quarter, according to IDC.

Richard Shim writes for News.com