Question

I like to print out software requirements so I can easily mark them up, sketch UIs, etc.

Do you print out requirements and design materials ahead of time or just view them digitally?

What features make for the ideal ‘programmer’s’ printer?

• Laser or Inkjet?
• B&W or color?
• USB or Ethernet connector?
• Duplex?
• Availability of generic ink cartridges or toner?

Answer 1

I like printing them so I can draw and write all over them.

I use b&w laser at a minimum.

When representing a lot of information on a diagram though, color is helpful to have. I’ve been looking to move to a color laser printer. What is important to look out for is that you find a printer that prints all four toner colors through one pass in the drum. Most of the cheaper laser printers send the sheet of paper through up to 5 times, once for each color plus black. This uses up the drum in your printer much faster.

For any printer you look at, be sure to calculate a cost per page including toner and the drum. If you can find a printer model a few years old for which third party toners exist, look at that carefully. I know that Brother and Okidata printers are great for business/spec type printing and have the lowest toner costs on the market. My next printer will be one of them.

Beyond that, try to find a printer that: – is network capable (wireless is a nice to have) – duplexer is a nice to have. I like to use the backs of the sheets to take notes on the printed sheet next to it. – has multi function capabilities. I live by my fax to email scanner. I email it into my case manager and title it appropriately and file away the paper. if I need it again, I can print off the PDF again.