In an effort to build a multipurpose photo appliance, Lexmark has squeezed a CD burner into a snapshot inkjet photo printer.
“We feel this really meets the needs of consumers,” Maurice Benatar, the Canadian division’s consumer marketing programs manager.
Market research shows digital camera users are shooting more images, he said, but often let those JPGs sit on hard drives.
Respondents said they print fewer than 25 per cent of what they shoot, Benatar said, with one-third not printing any at all.
At the same time, half said they don’t archive any images, which puts them at risk if hard drives fail.
Lexmark’s answer is the P450, which prints 4×6-in. images without a computer or USB cable if necessary with PictBridge-equipped cameras, or by plugging in one of a variety of memory cards. Images can be viewed on the 4.2-in. colour LCD screen. It can also print from JPGs saved to a USB flash drive.
The $299 device also includes a CD burner for saving images. Benatar didn’t know the speed of the burner as commonly expressed for drives that come with personal computers, but said it can burn 25 images in five minutes.
The unit “makes it easier for users to pass on treasured memories and friends by printing and archiving,” he said.
It also comes with computer software for editing, cropping, rotating fixing images as well as adding photo effects.
Seen as a holiday gift item, it will be available through the channel and in major retail outlets in November. As an incentive, buyers will earn 100 Air Miles for each purchase. A similar offer is available on all Lexmark photo printers.
