mongomad1's Full Review: Brother P-Touch® PT-2600 Label Printer
One year for Christmas, my mother-in-law gave me this label maker. All I could think of was the Seinfeld episode where Elaine's gift to Tim Watley was "re-gifted" to Jerry. I thought I had not much use for it and had similar intentions for mine.
THEN, while we are/were in the process of opening a business, one of my partners says we desperately need a label maker, even mentioned this brand specifically from the research he had done, to distinguish our network cables in our datacenter computer rack.
I busted this out to his surprise. I had no idea what it could do and it has proven to be a quite useful gadget that has helped us keep things organized not only in the network cable arena, but also our files for receipts and other company related materials.
My Use
At first, another member of our team was in charge of paying bills. This was until I discovered he was paying a certain bill via Western Union costing us $10 a whack. I complained, now I am stuck with the checkbook, paying bills and filing receipts. Then, before remembering I owned this invaluable tool, I used handwritten labels for my folders. All shades of ink were used based on the color of the pen that was handiest at the time I figured out we needed a new file.
Then, I began using this apparatus. The true attraction is that it attaches right to the PC via a USB cable and software comes with it (P-Touch Editor 3.2 is the version I have). You simply pull up the program, choose from a myriad of fonts and print them out. After figuring out the backing that covers the stickiness of the labels folds in half making for easy removal the love for this device grew. I was a little disappointed in trying to peel it off at the ends. After the discovery of the seam down the middle of the backing, it was easy as could be.
Changing the size of font, the font itself, underlining it or otherwise making it distinguishable is a cinch (it is monochrome only). My handwritten chicken scratch previously employed was not so easy to navigate in my file drawers. Now, I can quickly retrieve any document, receipt, contract or whatever within seconds, provided I did not lose it. If I did, I scan everything so that I may replace it.
Also, we used it in wrapping labels around patch cable to ensure we yank the necessary wire when necessary. This is much better than following a cable from the source to its designated position in the switch.
The labels produced are laminated, so that they will not fade and a little dampness will not smear them.
Other Options
In addition to the white TZ Tape we used that is included with the device (1/2” or 12mm if you need the metric conversion), which can utilize sizes 1/4" to 1” – sold separately – you also have address label making capability. An AV-2067 cassette comes with it for the latter implementation and has 65 labels for your addressing needs. I print envelopes on my Brother Laser Printer, so I have yet to utilize these.
You are not tied down to use on a PC as it has a little screen and with the addition of eight AA batteries, included, you can make labels in the middle of the desert if you saw the need: Cactus Tumbleweed Oasis Sidewinder Rattlesnake (careful while placing it on said reptile).
Functionality
Well, you really just type what you want with the correct tape desired in the device (holds only one type at a time) and press print on the device or via your PC using its software. It does a VERY irritating thing. While it is coming out, it cuts a small piece off, I guess to make sure it is plumb, shoots it right to the floor, dependent on placement and then the label comes out that you can grab.
If you are doing tons of labels, as I did one day, these small pieces create quite a mess. It is easy enough to pick up and a smart person would put a garbage can where they fall, but I was blessed only with talent as a label maker, not a label maker with foresight.
The Software
Surprisingly, it is robust with MANY options as far as how you arrange text, import a picture, has its own clip art and will allow you to make barcodes. You have about 153 fonts to choose from, you can frame them with many options, underline, italicize, bold, strikethrough and double strikethrough as well as many other font effects.
Sizing is easy as far as the label and font, saving templates allows you to keep the same theme going and you can draw just like in paint, sans the colors.
I have yet to utilize it to its full capacity with all these features, but knowing I can gives me a certain amount of social clout. And really, is not that why you buy anything?
Looks and Specs
It is a silver case with black buttons for its QWERTY keyboard, large enough to type fairly well. Also, the keys are labeled for other functions you can perform, some mentioned above. Like a mini-sized typewiter from the good old days, it is graduated from slimmest at the keypad to thickest at the top where the cassettes are easily inserted.
It is made of plastic, but fairly durable as I have dropped it from about 6’ to a carpeted floor with no damage (do not try this at home). Overall, it is not unattractive and could be classified almost as "snappy" in the looks category.
Printer Type
Labelmaker - direct thermal - monochrome
Form Factor
Portable
Dimensions (WxDxH)
7.6 in x 9.5 in x 2.6 in
Weight
2 lbs
Max Media Size (Standard)
Roll (0.95 in)
Max Resolution ( B&W )
180 dpi x 180 dpi
Interface
USB
Media Type
Laminated tape, fabric tape, security tape
Total Media Capacity
1 rolls
Battery
8 - AA type
System Requirements
Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Apple MacOS 8.5.1 or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional , Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Microsoft Windows XP
Manufacturer Warranty
1 year warranty
If this review was informative, please feel free to visit my other Computer Hardware reviews:
800.844.0962 Brother 4 in 1 PT-2600 Electric Labeling System Description You are bidding on free supplies and extended warranty --NO EXTRA CHARGE **Pe...More at eBay
800.844.0962 Brother 4 in 1 PT-2600 Electric Labeling System Description You are bidding on free supplies and extended warranty --NO EXTRA CHARGE **Pe...More at eBay
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