LASER printer market leader, Hewlett-Packard (HP), launched its lowest-priced LaserJet product last week - a personal machine designed for individual users that sells in Hongkong for less than $6,600.
The new LaserJet 4L - designed for the DOS and Windows environments - is also the most politically correct of the HP printer line, with various environmentally friendly features built into the products.
The LaserJet 4L is smaller and weighs less than previous models, and is designed for individual office use, or as an upgraded home printer.
The new printer is quieter and uses less energy than previous models; it has an energy saving function that cuts power consumption from 120 watts to less than five watts when not in use.
The printers have an intelligent on/off function, whereby the machine switches itself off while not in use, but include an ''instant-on fuser'' technology that lets the machine print as soon as it receives instructions, without any ''warm-up'' time needed, as in the past.
HP printing systems group marketing manager Mr Bill McGlynn said the machine introduced for the first time a new ''EconoMode'' feature that gave users the option of consuming half the normal amount of print ''toner'' while printing.