Epson TX100

In the recent PC Fair I decide to get myself a printer cum scanner as my current Canon BJC 2100SP was obsolete and the ink cartridge, BC 20 is no longer in production.

Basically I had a hard time deciding which brand to purchase (as I was a hard core for Canon previously). After consultation with my friends, I had decided to go for Epson.

I purchased Epson TX100 at a cost of RM229. It comes with all in one functions, print, scan and copy. It comes with 1 year warranty and one can register the product with the serial numbers at Epson's website to get the warranty

When the box was opened up, the unit is well protected with 2 sterofoam blocks. The unit itself is covered in transparent plastic bag.

The moving parts of the unit are secured with the blue tapes. The blue tapes must be removed first before further installation commence.

The unit dimensions are 15cm (height) x 33cm (length) x 45cm (width). The unit is rather light for its size

The manufacturer claims this unit complied with energy star requirements, meaning it is an energy saving product. Hence, one can on the unit 24/7 without worrying it will consume a lot of power when at idle.

The unit has a piano mirror finish surface on its cover. One might get a heart ache if it get scratched.

The unit comes with a USB cable, a power cord and a complete set of inks (Black, Cyan, Magneta and Yellow). The drivers for the printer and scanner can be founded in the attached software CD. The CD also contains a comprehensive manual for the TX100.

I found the printed manuals that come with the unit quite lame. There is not much description in words and rather confusing especially when to insert of the software CD to the ROM.

The installation was a mess in the first place for me as the instruction do not match the outcome during my installation. Basically, after the inks were installed, pushed the ON button and let it run for about 2 minutes or so. During this period, the USB cable must not be connected to the computer. After that, connect the USB cable, insert the software CD and follow the installation instructions for the drivers. The most confusing part is the ON LED light keep blinking and I have no idea what it meant and what to do next.

To install the inks, lift the body of the unit somewhere in the mid part of the TX100.

It will automatically latched to secure the cover. It's like opening a car engine's hood.

Inside, there is a reminder to use genuine and compatible ink from Epson

Shake the inks before installing them. Remove the yellow stickers before installation. There are 4 individual colour ink cartridges. Hence, one only replace the exhausted colour ink cartridge and not the whole set and this translated to cost saving.

Install the ink cartridges into the slots according to the position indicated on the cartridge's housing. Install one cartridge at a time.

View of the scanning/copy platform with the cover opened up

Before printing, the lower hood must be opened up.

Paper can be adjusted

This buttons are available to make life easier if one intend to do any photocopy immediately.

So far the TX100 had printed and scanned my documents as well as photos satisfactorily. It also had the capability to print photos but I had yet to venture into it yet. It is quite easy to operate after all the installations were done accordingly.

With the TX100 I now able to scan some of my old photos which I will share in 2009!