HP aims new printers at small business

NEWS

Hewlett-Packard is set to announce new printers and related services aimed at the increasingly attractive small and midsize business market. HP on Wednesday will launch two new laser printers to replace older models, an array of price cuts on other printers and new Web services intended to make it easier for smaller businesses to get the most from their imaging equipment. The new services echo new consulting services HP introduced last month to help bigger businesses do more with their printers. "This is in many ways chapter 2 of that effort, for the small business," said Rob Wait, HP's commercial marketing manager for imaging and printing. "What we found is that support is extremely important in this segment. These are either individuals or a single IT person supporting a whole operation." The new services include a Printing and Imaging Expertise Center with online tutorials for tasks ranging from desktop publishing to using Adobe applications, as well as a live chat for customers looking for advice. The new products are the LaserJet 1300, which replaces the LaserJet 1200, and the LaserJet 2300, which replaces the 2200. Both printers are the same price as their predecessors -- and tout faster print speeds, more memory and speedier processors. Wait said the moves reflect the growing importance of the business segment, as the economic downturn freezes IT budgets at large companies. "We believe the small and medium business segment in the United States will be the sector that leads us out of recession," he said. Chris Barnes, an analyst for research firm ARS, said the strategy makes sense. "Big businesses still aren't buying the way they were three or four years ago," he said. "And the higher-end (printers) they bought three or four years ago are still working wonderfully." Printing has long been the main source of HP's profits, and the company has vigorously tried to defend its turf with new business efforts aimed at businesses and consumers. PC leader Dell is the latest threat, having introduced its own line of printers last month.

For the latest small-business news, see the Small Business Section. Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom.

Post your comment

In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.

You can also log in with Facebook. Log in or create your ZDNet UK account below

By signing up for this service, you indicate that you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and understood our Privacy Policy. Questions about membership? Find the answers in the Community FAQ

ZDNet UK Live

> I'm told it's somewhat annoying when people have their Macs stolen > and Apple stores treat the thief as the owner, but there you go. Ouch,...

13 hours ago by BrownieBoy on AMD Ultrathins to challenge Intel Ultrabooks

@kevinmchapman. OK, I acknowledge that 'most' was a gratuitous throwaway comment as an afterthought and too presumptuous. As to proof, as you...

17 hours ago by Moley on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint

@BrownieBoy > Works really well for thieves.... >> Nice attempt to deflect the argument by tossing in a point that's totally >> irrelevant, even...

18 hours ago by Jack Schofield on AMD Ultrathins to challenge Intel Ultrabooks

fantastic that the so called piracy bills have been withdrawn. however, these anti-democracy supporters are still in the shadows so lets be alert...

19 hours ago by raskolnikof on SOPA, Protect IP support wavers in face of online protest

Please God no; teach them anything you like - thinking rationally, the uses and misuses of data, what data is and what it's not - but leave the...

21 hours ago by Tony Douglas via Facebook on Kids are the future. Teach ’em to code.

@Jack, > Works really well for thieves.... Nice attempt to deflect the argument by tossing in a point that's totally irrelevant, even it were...

1 day ago by BrownieBoy on AMD Ultrathins to challenge Intel Ultrabooks

Make that 13 people now - I got refused today at Manchester airport. I thought I was up to date on this legislation - I knew of the EU ruling from...

2 days ago by bootlegger on UK airport body scans will not be opt out

Don't forget to check out apps like GoodReader or SlideShark either, they're indispensible for people on the go in presentation situations. Best...

2 days ago by tinycg on Four top iPad apps for people on the move

Well it seems there is something a number of us agree on. Why is the Ubuntu Unity launcher so ugly? I thought perhaps it was something to do with...

2 days ago by TerryRK on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint

Duplicate comments are not made intentionally. Its very good to know that now you are keeping check on this problem because sometimes a commenter...

2 days ago by Freebies202 on Microsoft fixes blog comments, speeds up blogs with open source

"the very significant number of users" and "many (most) of us" - you have no evidence for these statements. It is a fact that most users are saying...

3 days ago by kevinmchapman on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint