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Buying Guide: Top 10 Best Touch-Screen Printers
Touch screens have become commonplace on smart phones, and they're the essence of tablets; even some all-in-one PCs desktop sport one. Now, touch screens have migrated to printers as well, and both consumer and business models are incorporating them.
A touch-based interface is particularly good for multi-function printers (MFPs), whose users may have to quickly switch between a variety of tasks. Many networked business MFPs can, for example, scan to a variety of locations including network drives.
Certain HP and Lexmark MFPs let users access Web apps for PC-free printing of selected content. Touch screens are natural interfaces to control functions like this, letting users quickly flip through menus. Lexmark Web apps are mostly focused on business, while HP's are mixed between business and consumer.
The pinnacle of consumer touch-screen printing is the HP Photosmart eStation, which has a huge, removable touch panel that doubles as a basic tablet/ereader. Many consumer printers are adding touch screens, as they're great for previewing and managing photos.
Not every printer needs a touch screen, but including one makes the user experience easier and more pleasant. We're even seeing them on niche products like the DYMO LabelManager 500TS. Touch-screen printers tend to be more expensive than non-touch models, but the screen is added value and for many that is worth the boost in price. More and more printer manufacturers are adding a distinctive, attractive, and user-friendly touch to their products.
FEATURED IN THIS ROUNDUP
Brother MFC-9970CDW
$700 street
The Brother MFC-9970CDW's output quality is a little disappointing for graphics and photos, but the color laser multifunction printer offers fast speed, high quality text, and lots of features. Read the full review ››
DYMO LabelManager 500TS
$199.99 direct
The DYMO LabelManager 500TS label printer can connect to a computer to print labels, but its touch screen and QWERTY keyboard make it easy to print without one. Read the full review ››
Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4540 All-in-One Printer
$399.99 direct
Focused primarily on business needs, the Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4540 delivers laser-class speed, a low claimed cost per page, and surprisingly good paper handling. Read the full review ››
HP Laserjet Enterprise M4555h MFP
$2,799 direct
With a 120GB built-in hard drive, the HP LaserJet Enterprise M4555h MFP is a capable network mono laser MFP for an office with huge printing demands and equally deep pockets. Read the full review ››
Recommended by Our Editors
HP LaserJet Pro CM1415fnw
$449 direct
The HP LaserJet Pro CM1415fnw color MFP is unusually easy to use, thanks largely to its color touch screen control panel. Read the full review ››
HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus e-All-in-One
$299.99 direct
The HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus e-All-in-One offers nearly any feature you might want for a micro, small, or busy home office, including fast speed and high quality output. Read the full review ››
HP Photosmart eStation
$399 direct
The HP PhotoSmart eStation's 7-inch touch screen is detachable and doubles as a basic tablet and eReader. Read the full review ››
Lexmark C792de
$1,599 direct
The Lexmark C792de laser printer has the paper capacity and speed to handle color printing in a busy workgroup. Read the full review ››
Lexmark OfficeEdge Pro5500 Color MFP
$399 direct
The Lexmark OfficeEdge Pro5500 Color MFP offers laser-class speed, an ample feature set, great text for an inkjet, and low running costs. Read the full review ››
Lexmark X548dte
$1,749 direct
The Lexmark X548dte delivers fast speed, unusually high-quality graphics and photos, acceptable text, and an easy-to-use front-panel touch screen. Read the full review ››