• Recommend:
• 0 Comments

NEC Ships Least Expensive Color Printer Ever

NEC%squots $119 SuperScript 150C sets a new high in lows--prices, that is. NEC also debuts a more-capable ink jet for the small and home office for $199.

By Laurianne McLaughlin, PCWorld   

NEC announced today a $119 color ink jet printer--the least expensive product of its kind to date. The new NEC SuperScript 150C hits stores this weekend for a street price of $139; it comes with a mail-in coupon for a $20 rebate. By comparison, Lexmark%squots least expensive color printer costs $139; Hewlett-Packard%squots low-end DeskJet 672C costs $199.

NEC is trying to win market share quickly from established leaders Canon, Epson, Hewlett-Packard, and Lexmark.

The NEC SuperScript 150C printer comes bundled with Broderbund Print Shop, a good program for making cards, banners, and other family projects, plus the Sesame Street Art Workshop CD, with interesting creative projects for kids. Lexmark%squots printer includes no software.

Don%squott be mistaken, the SuperScript 150C is a basic printer for your family. You don%squott want use it for office presentations. Speed maxes out at 3 pages per minute, resolution is 600 by 300 dots per inch, and color quality is not suitable for corporate materials. The paper tray holds only 40 sheets.

The SuperScript 150C comes with a one-year warranty and an overnight replacement guarantee--this highly unusual and valuable perk is another way NEC is trying to win new customers.

Today NEC also announced the more-advanced NEC SuperScript 750C, which sells for $199 after a $30 rebate. This printer is aimed at the home office or small office. It prints up to 6 ppm at 600 by 600 dpi with five-color printing and a new variable-drop-size technology that makes for better looking output than the 150C. It also works with an optional photo kit with a special color ink cartridge for color pictures. The 750C comes with the same software and overnight guarantee as the 150C.

Based on specifications and pricing, the 750C stacks up well against the competition, but be aware it takes a bit more desk space than most units in its class. Look for hands-on reviews of both printers in future issues of PC World.