Print 13×19″ enlargements fast
Epson is replacing their venerable 1280 dye-ink printer with the improved Stylus Photo 1400. This new printer delivers professional-quality color prints at an affordable price, making it a good choice for beginning digital photographers.
The printer’s solid, 25-lb silver-and-black chassis has a simple design: On the front, it has a three-button control panel and a USB PictBridge port for printing directly from digital cameras and cell phones; and above the extendable paper output tray is a drop-down unit for printing on CD/DVDs. On top is the only paper feed, which holds from 4×6″ to 13×19″ sheet paper up to 0.11mm thick. There’s no roll paper option. On the back is the power cord and USB 2 connector.
The Stylus Photo 1400’s professional print quality is based on several features. Epson’s new durable Claria dye ink set is more stable, resisting scratching and fading, and the company says that prints will last up to 98 years under glass. The set of six individual cartridges is more efficient, because now only the specific spent cartridge needs to be replaced. The 1400 has a new printhead capable of ink droplets down to 1.5 picoliters and print resolutions up to 5760×1440 dpi. This and the driver’s quality Epson paper profiles result in vibrant, accurate color prints with smooth gradients and good detail. In high-speed photo mode, a color 8×10″ print took 2 minutes and a 13×19″ print took 3 minutes, 45 seconds. Sadly, black-and-white prints have a faint, but noticeable color tint. The Windows print driver includes an auto photo-correction feature that isn’t included in the Mac version.—Steve Baczewski
PRICE: $399.99
FROM: Epson America, Inc.
PHONE: 800-463-7766
WEB: www.epson.com
FOR: Mac and Windows
RATING: 4
LAYERS VERDICT
HOT Quality prints
NOT No media card reader
