PROS
Exceptionally low running costs. Prints fast. Open programming platform for custom applications. Wide selection of label media. Dual simultaneous connectivity through serial and parallel ports.
- CONS
Complicated software installation. Ethernet costs extra. Lacks wireless and mobile support.
- BOTTOM LINE
The Zebra GK420d, the next step up from a consumer-grade label printer, provides wide-ranging expansion options and a very low cost of operation.
At the lower end of Zebra Technologies’ somewhat extensive stable of label/barcode printers, the Zebra GK420d Direct Thermal Printer ($595) (Check on Amazon at Amazon) is small and relatively low-priced as industrial-strength label printers go. Though the GK420d is big and beefy, compared with the combination consumer-grade/small business professional label makers we’ve reviewed recently, such as the Editors’ Choice Brother QL-820NWB,($174.99 at Amazon) it’s more than capable of printing a wide range of label types from your team’s PCs, as well as some tablets and smartphones. It’s a great choice for mid-volume, industrial-strength labeling in near-limitless settings, from warehouses to medical facilities and beyond.Read the entire review at PCMag
Posted by William Harrel on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 10:44 am
Filed under Communications Technology Watch, Featured, PCMag Articles, Print Media Watch, Printers · Tagged with commtechwatch.com, Communications Technology Watch, GK42-202510-000, harrel, label maker, label printer, pcmag, print media, printer, William Harrel, williamharrel.com, Zebra GK420d Direct Thermal Printer
PROS
xThe newest Dymo desktop label printer, the Dymo LabelWriter Wireless ($149.99) ($126.38 at Amazon), is comparable in price and features to Brother’s QL-810W,($129.99 at Amazon) which itself is a step down from our Editors’ Choice, the QL-820NWB.($174.99 at Amazon) The LabelWriter Wireless is much like the Brother QL-810W in that they both have adept label design and print software for PCs and mobile devices, and you can connect to either via Wi-Fi or USB. However, the Brother model is somewhat slicker in a few key ways: It comes with an automatic cutter, as well as support for an optional battery that makes the printer functional where power is unavailable. Even so, the LabelWriter Wireless is a highly capable, networkable label design and print system, making it a decent alternative to the Brother QL-810W as a home-based or small office labeling solution.
Read the entire review at PCMag
Posted by William Harrel on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 11:23 am
Filed under Communications Technology Watch, Featured, Internet Watch, Labelers, PCMag Articles, Printers · Tagged with commtechwatch.com, Communications Technology Watch, Dymo LabelWriter Wireless, harrel, label maker, label printer, labeler, pcmag, William Harrel, williamharrel.com
PROS
Good print quality. Comprehensive, easy-to-use label design and print mobile app. Strong selection of label types in several color schemes, including fabric iron-on labels. Runs on AC or battery power. Good value for the price.
- CONS
Cannot use with Windows or Mac PCs. Requires replaceable (rather than rechargeable) batteries.
- BOTTOM LINE
With excellent design and comprehensive print software, the reasonably priced Brother P-touch Cube prints several sizes and colors of good-quality plastic (laminated) labels from your iOS or Android mobile device.
Most professional- and consumer-grade label printers (such as our Editors’ Choice Brother QL-820NWB ($174.99 at Amazon) and the Dymo MobileLabeler ($64.99 at Amazon), respectively) let you design and print labels from your computer and/or mobile device, but the Brother P-touch Cube ($59.99) ($46.33 at Amazon) is the first one that we’ve reviewed that cannot be tethered to a PC or a Mac via a USB cable. In other words, its only mode of operation is connecting wirelessly to your iPhone, iPad, or Android mobile device. The good news is that the bundled Brother P-touch Design&Print app is simple to use, allowing you to produce a variety of good-looking plastic labels for your kitchen, garage, bedrooms, office, and schoolroom, making the P-touch Cube an easy top pick as an entry-level label printer for families, small workplaces, and classrooms.
Posted by William Harrel on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at 11:17 am
Filed under Communications Technology Watch, Featured, Labelers, PCMag Articles, Print Media Watch · Tagged with brother, commtechwatch.com, Communications Technology Watch, harrel, label maker, label printer, labeler, P-touch Cube, pcmag, printer, William Harrel, williamharrel.com
- PROS
Fast output. Good print quality. Excellent label design, print software, and mobile apps. Prints two-color, black/red labels. Good selection of label types. Good value for the price.
- CONS
Per-label media cost is somewhat high. Ability to print in red limited to one label type.
- BOTTOM LINE
The prints several sizes of high-quality label types from your PC, Mac, or Android mobile device via USB, making it an excellent value for its relatively low price.
Like its higher-end QL-810W ($129.99 at Amazon) and QL-820NWB ($174.99 at Amazon) siblings, the Brother QL-800 ($99.99) is a reasonably fast label printer that churns out good-looking labels in several different types and sizes, ranging from small one-line barcodes, to address labels, and everything in between. It can print labels up to about 0.5 inch wide by 1 inch long to 2.4 inches wide by 36 inches long.
Posted by William Harrel on Friday, September 8, 2017 at 9:07 am
Filed under Communications Technology Watch, Featured, Labelers, PCMag Articles, Print Media Watch, Printers, Uncategorized · Tagged with Android, brother, commtechwatch.com, Communications Technology Watch, harrel, label maker, label printer, labeler, print media, printer, QL-800, QL-800 Labeler, William Harrel, williamharrel.com
- PROS
Respectable print quality. Prints in black and red. Prints labels fast. Terrific label design. Great print software and robust mobile app. Wide selection of label types.
- CONS
Per-label cost is high. Battery costs extra. Ability to print in red limited to one label type. QL-820NWB offers much more for not a lot more money.
- BOTTOM LINE
The Brother QL-810W label maker prints a wide variety of high-quality label types from your PC or mobile device, but its higher-end sibling provides significantly more features and versatility for just a little more money.
The Brother QL-810W ($149.99) ($129.99 at Amazon) label printer is a step down from the recent Editors’ Choice QL-820NWB.($174.99 at Amazon) Although these two labelers essentially print the same types of labels at the same speeds over wireless networks or from mobile devices, what you give up feature-wise for the $50 list price difference between them is significant. With the QL-810W, for instance, you forgo a few different types of connectivity options, as well as the ability to use the label maker apart from a computing device. Overall, though, the Q-810W is a versatile and capable option, well worth considering for designing and printing many types of business labels via Wi-Fi, or from your team’s tablets and smartphones.
Posted by William Harrel on Friday, August 25, 2017 at 4:03 pm
Filed under Communications Technology Watch, Featured, Internet Watch, Labelers, PCMag Articles, Print Media Watch, Printers · Tagged with brother, Brother QL-810W, commtechwatch.com, Communications Technology Watch, harrel, label maker, label printer, labeler, labeling systems, notebook, QL-810W
