Test Specs

Our test suite lets us evaluate a printer's performance, quality of printed output, usability, and features. We tested and scored each element separately and then computed an overall score by assigning a weight to each element (see "Lab Results: Ink-Jet Printer Ratings" ).

We ran the PC-based tests on a Compaq Deskpro 66M running MS-DOS 6.22 and Windows 95. Printers with Mac ports were tested with a Quadra 640 AV, running System 7.5. We used the print drivers the vendors supplied, and we disabled print servers, spoolers, and buffers during performance testing.

Our performance tests measure the speed at which a printer can produce six different elements: dense text, sparse text, bit-mapped images, monochrome graphics, color graphics, and a minimum of two fonts. We tested each model in two diffe rent output modes: the next-to-lowest and the highest PCL resolutions (except for the Mac platform) that each printer supports.

We judged printers for the quality of their monochrome output and also tested how well they could print two color pages . The first color page is judged using objective criteria, such as the output's range of hues and the absence of smearing on fine lines. A group of technicians subjectively judges the second color page, which contains a series of complex graphics.

Usability scores are based on such aspects as the ease of installing the ink media, the intuitiveness of the control panel, the ease of driver installation, and the clarity and usefulness of the provided manuals. For features, we weight and score the important characteristics that we believe a color ink-jet printer should have.

These Quality, Usability, Features, and Value scores form the basis for the Implementation score. A separate Technology rating scores each printer according to the newness and importance of its technology. We then combine the Technology, Implementation, and Performance ratings to come up with an Overall rating.

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Colorful Quality Tests

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