HP 'Big Bang' printer launch gala.

(From New Straits Times (Malaysia))

Byline: Ahmad Faiz

HEWLETT-PACKARD refers to its recent launch event in China as the Big Bang. And rightly so. With over 70 printing and imaging products, nothing else quite describes it.

In fact, this one-of-a-kind event speaks volumes of HP's leadership in this segment of the information and communications technology (ICT) market. HP has forged so far ahead of its competitors that it can now deliver a whole slew of products that would make us all spoilt for choice.

And it is not just about flooding the market with little or no regard to consumer satisfaction. Quite the contrary, HP appears set to maintain its leadership position in terms of best overall printing experience, preferred brand for home photo and ease of use (according to independent third-party research firm Doxus' findings, March-April 2006).

And the key appears to be greater innovations at lower prices, thanks in large to HP's breakthrough scalable printing technology - a proprietary ink-based printing platform featuring a photolithographic printhead and individual inks for higher performance printing.

Just how low? A new high-performance HP Photosmart printer like the Photosmart D6160 starts as low as US$129 (RM481).

But it is not just about being highly affordable. HP's new printer line- up also features the world's fastest high-quality photo print speed - as fast as 12 seconds.

Then there is the HP Photosmart D7360 touch-screen printer that comes with HP's new consumer-friendly kiosk-like Photosmart Express interface designed to make printing simpler and faster.

Yet another particularly interesting …