The ability to bring your laptop computer anywhere is awesome. It allows you to work and gain access to the World Wide Web almost everywhere. Laptops are great for people who work in the field so they can record and generate records on the field without the need to visit the office just to work with the computer. However what is the use of a laptop computer if you are going to go back home or home office only to print a memo or document for your business presentation.
Having a small portable inkjet printer that easily fits along with your mobile computer in your briefcase comes very handy and expands the functionality of your mobile computer. Imagine the different tasks you can do if you have a printer with you while on a vacation or in the field working. You can generate a memo and print it immediately. Label a spot or put a sign in a professional approach. You can also print extra or more handouts for your presentation which you did not remember to do at home. You can also share a copy print of your precious images to your buddies and loved ones while staying in them.
Mobile printers are usually battery operated and can produce plenty of documents before recharging it, or if theres an electrical outlet available, you can just simply plug it in to maintain the battery. The mobile computer communicates and transfers its data through IRDA or Bluetooth wirelessly. You also have the option of attaching it to just about any computer system via USB port. The most compact portable printer you can purchase basically is dependent on the dimension of paper you want to work with. Additionally, it depends on the amount of cash you are prepared to invest.
In case you are thinking about to use it for making a receipt or pictures you can probably have it as compact as the conventional wallet that usually fits at your back pocket. If you are planning to print large size paperwork say A6 sized bond paper then you can have it slightly longer than the width of the paper. The only problem of using a small portable printer is that they normally have poor printing quality but good enough if you are simply printing text documents, except on Polaroid printers. Also, the speed is most likely sluggish than most desktop printers.
In the future, expect to see a much smaller mobile printer, the length most likely will not change a lot but the width and height might. The quality of print and the speed will perhaps increase allowing you to print higher quality pictures instantly. Some manufacturers are now introducing an inkless printer which significantly reduces the overall dimension considering the space taken out by the ink cartridge.
The secret of this small portable printer depends on the paper which uses unique materials that creates outstanding colors when activated. Famous printer manufacturers like Canon and HP are constantly developing their printers, creating smaller and high quality printer all the time. There will come a time that the size of the printer will be so small that it can be enclosed into the notebook computer and you do not have to buy a separate printer anymore.