Printing from Your Tablet Made Easy
The sky-high sales figures for popular tablet computers like the Apple iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab just show the extreme demand for these handy gadgets. Slowly but surely, they’ve been edging out notebooks in the ultra mobile device market. Even small-business owners are jumping in on the trend; tech-savvy entrepreneurs can often be seen with a tablet in tow.
Printing From My Tablet – Is This Possible?
Being able to print documents is an essential office task. One of the tablet’s major drawbacks is that it is usually not optimized for printing. Listed below are some of the ways in which entrepreneurs can use their tablets to print out documents.
Bluetooth Connection
If you have a Bluetooth-enabled printer, then you can pair up your tablet with it using a Bluetooth wireless connection. Since most tablets that are on the market today already come equipped with Bluetooth, this is a very viable printing setup.
Pros:
printer and tablet can be configured to automatically connect with no delays and lag in print response time
Cons:
No control over print settings, the Bluetooth signal can be limited
Printing Apps
Printing utility apps are another great option. There are some free apps available (like PrintDirect for the iPad), but there are also several paid apps, such as PrintBureau and Print N Share, that offer extra functionality. Usually, these apps work by connecting to a printer wirelessly or with the help of another printing utility from a desktop computer or laptop.
Pros: can print from the tablet app directly, convenient
Cons: communication between the printer and tablet can be problematic at times, and some apps are not free
Cloud Printing
When it comes to cloud-based printing, Google Cloud Print is at the top of the list. Among the other two choices, this is the most flexible option. All you need is to install Google Chrome and the Cloud Print app, and you’re all set.
Pros:
Can print anywhere with an Internet connection, integration with Google Docs and Google Drive, ability to print on multiple printers without having to install the app on each one
Cons:
- Needs a Google account
- No advanced printing features