In the age of the laptop and Blackberry, Hewlett Packard (HP) is championing the cause of the desktop computer.

The company’s new business PC is an ultra-small model, although it does not have integrated wireless connectivity.

The HP Compaq dc7800 is noted for its silent operation and cooling system, with one technology specialist pointing out that it did not warm up at all while he ran "graphics, multi-media and office productivity applications for an hour or more."

Commenting on crn.com, Edward F. Moltzen highlighted the new model’s space-saving design that allows it to be attached to the LCD panel as an alternative to sitting next to the monitor.

He went on to explain that the PC is more energy-efficient than earlier desktop versions.

HP recently launched the "ultimate digital accessory", a limited edition chocolate-coloured laptop with matching wireless mouse.

The autumn accessory reaches shops next month with prices expected to start at just under £1,000.

Research has shown that HP’s laptop shipments soared this year, increasing by 77 per cent since 2006.

Office machines are rapidly changing in the digital age, according to one expert.


The expansion of software for the multifunctional device (MFD) was singled out by Sofia Dahlqvist on crn.com.


Comprising a scanner, printer and copier in one machine, she said the MFD’s expansion has the potential to create future possibilities for the tailoring of office equipment to specific businesses.


"End users are already developing their own software applications to fit their business needs. The way forward is for resellers to be educated about these advances and to be one step ahead of print technology," she commented.


The gadget specialist explained that Bluetooth technology is one way in which consumers can use MFDs for their particular needs, as print jobs can be sent to office machines from mobile devices.


She also pointed to the privacy and data protection features that are available, including data encryption of print jobs and voice activation software.


One example of office equipment tailored to a particular need is a printer with large buttons for the visually impaired.


Printer manufacturer HP recently announced plans to deliver a digital printing platform with faster print speeds and lower costs for high-volume commercial markets.

Sony has revealed that sales of high definition products have almost doubled in the last year.

The electronics giant highlighted that HD TVs made up almost 90 per cent of the total spend on HD products in the second quarter of this year, followed by games consoles, set-top boxes, camcorders, laptop computers and DVD hardware.


In a report published jointly by Sony Australia and marketing firm Gfk, the number of high definition LCD TVs sold was shown to be three times that of HD plasma models during 2007’s second quarter.


Observers noted that higher LCD TV sales could be influenced by the larger range of sizes available to customers, as plasma models are confined to the large-screen market.


"When the Sony HD report began tracking the market in 2005, non-HD products were continuing to grow in sales. This quarter has clearly demonstrated that HD is the new standard in consumer electronics, doubling in growth since the second quarter of 2006," commented Gfk’s Dennis Butler, the author of the report.


The figures also suggested that Blu-ray is dominating over HD HVD as the "battle" for the standard replacement for DVD continues.

Hitachi is to release a 32-inch LCD TV with a width of just under 2cm.



According to reports the new model will be unveiled by the electronics company at this year’s CEATAC trade exhibition in Japan.



Going into production in 2009, the television is believed to be the industry’s thinnest so far. Rival company Sharp revealed its slim 52-inch LCD TV in August this year.



Sony is also expected to join the competition to develop thinner flat-panel TVs by showing its latest slim model at the trade fair in October, reports Asian website Tech-On.



The flat-screen TV was the star attraction at Europe’s biggest consumer electronics trade fair this year.



The IFA exhibition in Berlin was said to feature 5,000 of the LCD and plasma models that look set to take the place of traditional TVs.



Sharp’s contribution was described as the "flatter flat panel" and promoted for new uses including control panels for the entire home or office.



Meanwhile a survey this week highlighted the importance consumers now place on picture quality and screen size when they buy a new TV, with 40 inches considered "ideal".

Environmentally-friendly office supplies are available in abundance, according to experts.

The clear labelling of such products has reportedly helped raise awareness and educate consumers about issues of environmental responsibility.


The Southern, a US newspaper, highlighted paper producers as followers of the green trend with their prominent labelling of recycled content percentages on packaging.


"Some other common office products displaying the familiar recycle triangle are remanufactured toner, inkjet cartridges and moulded plastic items," the paper added.


The internet is underlined as an effective source of green office supplies and even environmentally-friendly office furniture.


Businessman Mark Macheca recently emphasised that going green in the office is no more expensive than traditional approaches to furnishing, while environmental campaign group Greenpeace has commended the electronics industry and manufacturers of office supplies for facing up to ‘e-waste’.


Products now available include a ‘green’ toner for printers from Xerox and IT Energy Software’s soon-to-be-launched GreenPrint tool that will analyse each page of a document to identify typical waste characteristics, for example the final page of an email containing only a signature.

Paying a low price for a printer is a waste if consumers then shell out for ink cartridges, according to an expert.



Market analyst Chris Robertson advised people to look for remanufactured printer cartridges instead of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) models.



Writing on website pr-gb.com, he explained that remanufactured cartridges are those which have been used already and then refilled with ink.



"Good remanufactured cartridges consist of more than simply filling a used cartridge with ink or toner, though," he pointed out, adding that the cartridges and print head nozzles must be cleaned.

Such products provide a consumer with ink or toner producing high-quality results because ink matching the OEM cartridges has been identified before refilling.



Mr Robertson maintained that printer parts would not be compromised nor would a printer’s lifespan be shortened.



Critics have argued that industry leaders such as HP, Epson and Canon sell their printers at low prices because they profit from consumers buying expensive printer-specific ink cartridges.



Discussing the progress of the printer industry on his blog recently, pundit Andy Lippman highlighted the environmental significance of the growth in re-manufactured ink cartridges and ink refilling.

Samsung remained the leading TV manufacturer in this year’s second quarter, according to figures.

Research firm iSuppli found that the electronics giant had a 12.4 per cent lead in the global TV market, followed by fellow Korean company LG Electronics.

Philips and Sanyo ranked third and fourth respectively, while iSuppli predicted that overall global television shipments will grow to 245.5 million units by 2011, up from 207.5 million in 2007 and 190.9 million in 2006.

According to the firm’s principal TV analyst, Riddhi Patel, "The most significant television market development during the coming years will be the loss of dominance by cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions globally."

iSuppli attributed the drop in popularity of traditional curved-screen televisions to the surge in flat-screen LCD and plasma models.

The survey highlighted the importance consumers now place on picture quality and screen size when they buy a new TV, with 40 inches considered "ideal".

In November 2005, Samsung released an 80-inch plasma TV installed with a DVD player, AV receiver, set-top-box and home theatre system. A month later LG launched its luxury, slightly more expensive 71-inch model.

Sales of next-generation DVD players are not likely to take off for at least 18 months, according to data.



Forrester Research concluded that the format ‘war’ between high-definition DVD and Blu-ray will continue until then, highlighting that consumers are still waiting for prices to fall and the ‘battle’ to be resolved.



JP Gownder, an analyst for the firm, put forward the opinion that Blu-ray will eventually win out over the Toshiba-backed HD DVD, but Sony needs to bring down the prices of its devices.



"Blu-ray needs to offer a viable hardware model at the $250 [£125] price point by Christmas 2007," he said in the company’s report.



"The Blu-ray camp must also stave off further studio defections, and employ more aggressive promotional tactics to counter HD DVD’s recent momentum," he added.



Forrester emphasised that typical owners of HD TVs would not be willing to pay more than $200 (£100) on average for a new HD DVD or Blu-ray player.



A Blu-ray player currently retails at around $500 (£250), while a HD DVD player costs about $400 (£200). Film studios favour one or the other format, meaning some movies will play on one device but not the other.

An industry expert has offered some helpful tips for handling printer cartridges in the office or at home.



Ellen Davidson, freelance editor for HP Ink Online, said that proper handling of cartridges is important for keeping a printer performing well.



She commented on Articlesbase.com that touching the copper parts of a printer cartridge any more than necessary is to be avoided, while components such as the head and nozzle can be damaged if they are not handled with due care.



The ink expert also highlighted the role that cleaning plays in getting the most out of office supplies.



"If you are going to err, then err on the side of overuse because while the utility does consume ink every time it is used, it is going to consume more ink if you allow it to become dirty and inefficient in the way that it dispenses ink," she commented.



She added printer cartridges that are obviously broken should be thrown away and replaced, despite the economic and environmental advantages to refilling and reusing them.



In July of this year HP announced that it had met its target to recycle £1 billion of electronics and toner and ink cartridges.

Xerox is launching a new printer aimed at making colour printing as cheap as black and white.

The Phaser 8860 will be the flagship model in a new range to rival other major manufacturers of office equipment.

The latest addition uses solid ink technology, replacing the traditional cartridges found in laser printers with wax ink sticks.

The company claims the Phaser 8860 can bring down the cost of colour printing to five cents (2.5p) per page. It is aiming the product at businesses and offices that print between 1,000 and 10,000 pages per month and depend on colour for reports, business proposals and everyday documents.

"Our customers told us that they want and need high-quality colour printing to support their business, but that price was a barrier," commented Ursula Burns, president of Xerox.

She pointed out the environmental advantages of solid ink, which significantly reduces waste.

Rival company Kodak recently released its all-in-one inkjet printer, noted for its cheaper-than-average ink cartridges. The company said it intends to save customers 50 per cent on their printing costs.