Understanding & Evaluating Mobile Printer Performance

How to Identify the Features and Factors That Set Mobile Printers Apart and Add Value in Real-world Operations

In a test, a print request for an identical shipping label was sent to two mobile thermal printers over a standard 802.11b wireless connection. Despite the fact both printers had to process the same label format with the same computer and same network bandwidth, one printer completed the job 2.8 times faster than the other (the faster printer output the label in 3.0 seconds, compared to 8.4 seconds for the slower). When the test was repeated with a retail label format with a large graphic, the job was completed 7.9 times faster (in 3.8 seconds compared to 30). Further testing found the same printer provided an output advantage regardless of what label format was used, whether the print job called for a single label or multiple labels to be printed, or whether the printer connected to the computer wirelessly or through a cable. When different mobile computers were substituted, the faster printer's performance advantage was even greater.