Comparison Epson EcoTank L810 vs Epson EcoTank L800

The color palette that the printer can print. A large number of colors is required for high-quality photo printing and obtaining color prints with many shades. The standard is 4 colors.

Printer print speed in photographic (highest) quality. Unlike other similar parameters, in this case the speed is usually indicated for a 10x15 sheet (A6, the most popular format for photographs). In addition, photo printing speed is not expressed in pages per minute, but in seconds per page, because. printing takes a lot of time. This option is worth paying attention to if you plan to print photos frequently.

The maximum number of pages that the printer's ink (toner) can print. The value is rather conditional, in reality the deviations from the norm are very large (up or down). In inkjet printers, the cartridge life is relatively small and amounts to several hundred prints. In laser and LED devices, the bill is already in the thousands.

— Pigment. Ink based on pigments — solid dyes, which are diluted in the form of microparticles in a liquid filler to a state of suspension. Compared to more popular water-based inks, these formulations are noticeably more expensive, and the finished image may turn out to be somewhat less bright (compared to printing with water-based dye on the same printer). On the other hand, pigment ink gives higher detail, which is especially important for photo printing. In addition, finished images resist moisture better and do not fade as quickly in bright light — this resistance is not enough for outdoor use, but indoors such prints can be stored for a very long time.

- Water soluble. Inks based on water-soluble dyes allow achieving high realism of color reproduction in color printing, they are well absorbed into the deep layers of paper and are cheaper than pigment ink. Also, water-soluble ink does not dry as quickly in the cartridge or print head of the printer. They are recommended for use with inkjet paper - ordinary thin paper strongly absorbs dropsy, which can cause ink to show through on the back of the sheet. At the same time, water-soluble inks are afraid of moisture and direct exposure to ultraviolet rays - when water gets in, the paint “floats” on paper, and it fades under sunlight.

– Pigmented / water soluble. Some printers have a print head that allows you to print with two types of ink at once. A common case is when their black cartridge is filled wi...th pigment ink, and the color one is filled with water-soluble ink.

— Connection to PC (USB-B). Connecting to a PC via USB-B in printers means using the standard USB type B port found on the device body, which is used for data transfer from the computer. This port is usually used in wired printer models and connects to the PC with a USB-A to USB-B cable, where side A is inserted into the computer, and B into the printer. This type of connection provides stable communication, high data transfer speeds, and easy connectivity without network setup.

— Network Connection (LAN). The ability to connect to a local computer network via a standard LAN port (using an Ethernet cable). With such a connection, the printer becomes accessible to all computers on the network, which is very convenient for offices, coworking spaces, and other places where printing is used by different people from different computers. Note that the network connection can be accomplished either through one of the computers on the network or through a common router; in the latter case, the printer remains operational regardless of which computers on the network are currently on. Compared to another connection option — Wi-Fi — wired connection is less convenient due to the need to lay a cable; however, it is cheaper and the connection is maximally reliable.

— Wi-Fi. Wireless technology initially intended for working with computer networks, but nowadays also used for...direct communication between devices (Wi-Fi Direct see below). Typically, printers with Wi-Fi can work as network devices — when communication is via a local network, and all computers on the network have access to the printer; however, the ability for direct gadget connection is less common. Nevertheless, the specific functionality of Wi-Fi should be clarified separately in any case.

— Card Reader. A slot for reading memory cards, usually with a direct printing function (see above). In this case, this function is especially convenient because memory cards are widely used in modern photo and video cameras; thus, the card reader allows for quick and easy printing of captured materials — just remove the card from the camera and insert it into the printer. However, this function can also be useful for exchanging data with other devices — for instance, laptops; and on some printer models, it is even possible to work in an external card reader mode for a PC.

— USB-A. A full-size USB port that allows connecting various external peripherals to the printer. Most often used for direct printing from flash drives and other storage devices, but can also be used for other purposes — such as firmware updates, troubleshooting, etc. Do not confuse this function with connecting to a PC via USB-B, where the printer itself acts as a peripheral device.

— USB-C. A modern interface that replaces the classic USB-B port and provides a more compact, symmetrical, and reliable connection. This port allows quick document transfer from a PC or laptop, often without additional drivers, and is compatible with new devices including MacBook and ultrabooks. USB-C can also be used for connecting flash drives, phones, tablets.

— Bluetooth. A technology for direct wireless communication between various devices. In printers, it is mainly used for the traditional purpose — for receiving materials sent for printing from external devices. One of the advantages of such a connection is that it allows working not only with computers but also with portable gadgets like smartphones and tablets: built-in Bluetooth modules for such gadgets are almost mandatory, whereas wired connection methods are often not available at all. And it can even be more convenient to connect to a PC or laptop this way: Bluetooth requires no wires and confidently works at a distance of about 10 meters.

— NFC. A short-range wireless communication technology — up to 10 cm. In printers, it is usually used as an auxiliary function, to simplify Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections: instead of manually setting up the connection, simply bring an NFC-enabled gadget close to the printer and confirm the connection. And in some models, materials can even be sent for printing immediately this way (by bringing the device to the printer); for this, usually, a branded application must be installed on the external gadget.

— Wi-Fi Direct. A feature found in models with built-in Wi-Fi modules (see above). Direct support allows other Wi-Fi devices (laptops, smartphones, cameras, etc.) to connect directly to such a printer without using a router and local network. This is especially convenient in the absence of network equipment, or if additional setup is required. The functionality of Wi-Fi Direct connection is generally similar to Bluetooth (see above); the main difference is that Wi-Fi provides faster and more reliable communication with greater range. This is particularly relevant for transferring large volumes of data — for example, sending large-format documents for printing. Additionally, this connection is better suited for direct printing from cameras — in such equipment, Wi-Fi is traditionally used for wireless connection.

— AirPrint. A similar feature to the one described above (Wi-Fi Direct). Allows connection to the device without involving a router. However, in this case, it refers to connecting Apple devices — iPhones, iPads, Mac laptops.

The type of screen provided in the design of the printer. This parameter is indicated by two points — colour (monochrome or colour display), as well as the absence or presence of a touch screen(if only colour is indicated, then the screen is not touch).

Chroma determines the features of the image on the display. Monochrome (black and white) screens allow you to display a lot of different information, and are inexpensive. On the other hand, such a display is poorly suited for viewing drawings and photographs sent for printing — for such purposes it is better to use more expensive, but more functional colour screens.

As for touch displays, they provide additional convenience in management and expand its capabilities. Various controls can be displayed on such a screen — sliders, lists, text menus, etc.; operating them with touches on the display is easier than using traditional control panels with hardware buttons. On the other hand, the presence of a sensor affects the cost of the display, and it makes sense to use this feature mainly in advanced printers with an abundance of additional functions.

The diagonal of the display installed in the printer.

The larger the display, the more convenient it is to use, the better you can see the image on it. Large-screen printers are especially useful when you need to view a variety of graphics on the screen. In addition, a large diagonal is highly desirable for touch screens (see "Display"). On the other hand, the larger the display, the more expensive it is and the more space it takes up, despite the fact that a small diagonal is enough for basic tasks and settings.

The number of sheets of paper that the input tray can hold—that is, the tray from which blank paper is taken for printing. Note that this amount is usually specified based on standard office paper with a density of about 80 g/m²; if thicker paper is used for printing, fewer sheets will fit in the feed tray.

The number of sheets of paper that the output tray can hold — the tray where the finished media is delivered. Usually, this amount is specified for standard office paper with a density of 80 g/m²; if you use thicker sheets, the actual capacity of the tray will be less (conversely, thinner sheets may fit more).