Dell V305W Wireless All-in-One Printer - Design
(Page 2 of 4 )
As they say, you can only make a first impression once, and at first glance, Dell's new all-in-one printer is overly simplistic. If you're the type who likes their electronics to have a lot of bells and whistles, this isn't the product for you. The V305W is very stripped down and nothing like the more fashionable, extravagant versions by competitors such as Samsung. This new multifunction printer is characterized by its subtle, curvy lines and an elegant combination of glossy white and matte black panels.
The machine's control panel is incredibly basic-looking as well. Seven small, recessed buttons sit below the two-line LCD display, which allows you to navigate menus and operate various features on this striking device. Directly beneath the two-ink cartridge holder you'll find two small ports for memory cards; the V305W is SD, MS, xD, MMC, CF and MD compatible. You will also find a PictBridge in this area, which is a USB port for printing directly from a compatible digital camera.
Dell's new printer is missing an Ethernet port, so if you were counting on using this device as a print server, you may want to rethink your game plan. Instead, users must connect to a wireless network using the internal network adapter installed in the back of the printer. Lastly, the final two ports on the rear of the printer support the power brick and USB cable, which connects directly to your computer.
The 100-sheet front-loading tray is the only option for media input, since the printer lacks an auto document feeder. A small arm inside the feeder can adjust to fit a variety of paper sizes from tabloid all the way down to postcard size, which is around 3.5 inches by 5 inches, but having to swap out media in order to simply print photos will prove to be a pain in the backside for more than a few consumers. Some of Dell's competitors, such as HP, had the foresight to create a separate tray for photo paper. Unfortunately, this is not a design feature Dell chose to incorporate into its new V305W.
Next: Features >>
More Peripherals Articles
More By Joe Eitel
