Is Your Printer Worth the Expensive Repairs?

While some repairs can be done on site, others will require parts and a technician. When labor costs are involved, the bill for repair can quickly skyrocket. When deciding whether to repair or replace your printer, consider the total costs of replacement parts and labor.

Additionally, many parts for home inkjet printers are just not available, making the process moot.

MCS recommends choosing the right printer for your needs, whether that’s only printing once every few days, or printing several documents every hour. The type of printer you need and the quality of printer necessary will depend on how often you use it, and what you’re using it for. Read more about how to choose the right printer here!

If you think your home printer is worth having serviced, MCS is ready to help!  Instead of paying for a full hour of service to simply have your printer looked at, MCS offers a $25 printer assessment fee.  Our technician will diagnose the issues and let you know if the machine can be fixed along with an estimated cost of repair, including parts and labor.  When a repair does make sense, MCS will apply this $25 printer assessment fee toward the first hour of labor.  

To read more about our printer repair service for businesses and business-class machines (including our hourly rate), please click here.

We truly care about the Ann Arbor community and want to continue to build relationships with small businesses and non-profit organizations.  We have the ability to help you with all your computer, labeling, and printing needs, including on location printer repair service in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area.

Contact us today to discuss your needs and to schedule a checkup for your printer.

Why Shopping Local Matters

When you have a major order to place, it’s tempting to take the easy route with Amazon or any other major chain stores. It’s convenient, and sometimes the price is right.

But on the other hand, think of the countless incorrect orders and delayed shipments you’ve had to spend time on the phone correcting. You could be spending that time growing your business and supporting your customers and clients!

Keeping your dollars in your hometown will save you money in the long run, and also help boost your local economy. You’ll also experience the fast and friendly customer service that only a small business can provide.

Choosing a small business to get your computer and printer supplies as well as printer maintenance from will benefit you by:

1. Giving you the opportunity to “know your neighbors” and grow closer community ties
2. Help local businesses grow a stronger economy – local businesses hire local workers, creating more jobs
3. Provide A+ customer service – no more big brands putting you on hold for hours only to give you mediocre results at best. Local businesses thrive on building relationships based on fast and friendly customer service and providing great products

Michigan Computer Supplies is family owned and operated and has been providing other small businesses in Ann Arbor with printer ink, toner, and managed print services and repair for over 20 years.

Read more on our website!

Increase "Green" Printing Solutions in Your Office

If you’re like most businesses, you generate e-waste on a regular basis. Perhaps you’ve been storing your e-waste until you find a suitable, inexpensive source for disposal. One day you’ll find that you need space and your recyclable materials end up in a landfill.  “Next time,” you say, “we’ll recycle.”

Now’s the Time!

Wouldn’t it be great to have someone pick up your e-waste for FREE? You could reduce your environmental footprint and save money! Recycling your toner cartridges, obsolete computers, monitors, printers, and other office equipment makes a positive impact the environment.

Besides in-office recycling programs, or switching from paper and plastic to reusable materials, you can also go green with the way you print!

There are several ways you can increase the green printing solutions in your office. Visit our website to learn more!

At Michigan Computer Supplies, we love to support our fellow small businesses in Ann Arbor. We can help you come up with more efficient printing processes, and help streamline your practices with delivery and regularly scheduled printer maintenance.

Send us an email or call us today to find out how to become a customer!

Considering Buying a New Printer? Read This First…

Are you considering repairing or replacing your business printer?

If cost is a big factor for you, you might want to consider the overall cost of labor, the cost per page of your printer, and the lifetime volume your printer is able to print.

If it looks like replacement is your only option, we can help!

Click here to readmore about how to know if you should repair or replace your printer!

We truly care about the Ann Arbor community and want to continue to build relationships with small businesses and non-profit organizations.  We have the ability to help you with all your computer, labeling, and printing needs, including on location printer repair service in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area. 

Contact us today to discuss your needs and to schedule a checkup for your printer.  We can also serve your toner needs.  Check out a sample of our competitive prices!

Tips for Eco-Friendly Printing

E-waste is the fastest growing category of waste in America and accounts for nearly 70% of the hazardous waste in landfills.

Yet, surprisingly, most e-waste is actually recyclable!

It doesn’t need to end up in landfills — yet it does.

But there are steps we can take every day to help keep office waste out of the landfills, and also to reduce energy consumption in our offices.

See our website for 12 tips for eco-friendly printing habits.

Does your business rely on print materials for every day operations?

 Does your business rely on print materials for every day operations?

Do you have a printer that can produce high resolution graphics, professional marketing materials, proposals, and more?

You should also know about the different features available on different models of production printers so you can choose the best model to suit your needs. Some key features to look for are:

• Print speed
• Paper capacity
• Graphics
• Ink and toner: Figuring out how many pages you can expect to get out of your ink or toner cartridge can save you a lot of money in the long run.
• Printer cost: The total cost will vary depending on the specific features of the model you choose.

Keep Your Printer Running Efficiently with Regular Printer Repair Service in Ann Arbor!

If you invest in a high production printer, or decide to go with a less expensive model for your office, you still need it to run efficiently and keep up with the demand in your workplace or home. Regular printer repair service by our techs in Ann Arbor is the best way to make sure you’re saving money and valuable time!

Considering Buying a High Production Printer for Your Business in Ann Arbor?

How do I know if I need a high production printer?

Consider these questions before you make an investment:

1. How often does your company print each month?
2. Are you printing for internal needs, or for external clients and marketing purposes?
3. What types of materials are you printing? Reports, brochures, catalogs, newsletters, or large format docs?
4. Will buying this printer be more cost-effective than outsourcing your printing needs?
5. Choosing the perfect printer for your business depends on your needs! Make sure you have a clear understanding of your printing requirements before you buy.

Read more on our website!

We truly care about the Ann Arbor community and want to continue to build relationships with small businesses and non-profit organizations. We have the ability to help you with all your computer, labeling, and printing needs, including on location printer repair service in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area.

Contact us today to discuss your needs and to schedule a checkup for your printer. We can also serve your toner needs.

Does your business rely on print materials to grow?

Does your business rely on print materials to grow?

Do you want to learn about how your print materials and printer parts can make you stand out from the crowd?

For graphic design, marketing, or other professional printing needs, consider an artist printer. Investing in an artist computer can save you money in the long run, and will ensure that the final printed version always matches the proofs you have in-house.

How to Choose the Right Printer and Printer Parts for Your Needs

• Cost: Make sure to do your research on the total cost of your new printer. Prices can be high on large format printers, so make sure you know your full range of needs.
• Software: Will you need additional graphic design software to run this printer? Make sure to factor that into your budget!
• Quality: Dots per inch or DPI is a good indicator of the quality you can expect from your printer. Resolutions of 1000+ are ideal for graphic work.

Read more on our website!

How can your print materials and printer parts make you stand out from the crowd?

Does your business print materials for meetings, presentations, or proposals?

Do you rely on high-quality printing to set your business apart from the competition?

Printing for your business is important. You want to show that you put enough thought and care into how you present yourself and your company. After all, professional printing takes more than just a decent letterhead and well written copy.

How can your print materials and printer parts make you stand out from the crowd?

Read the full article on our website!

MCS Has the Printer Parts and Supplies You Need to Make Your Business Successful!

We truly care about the Ann Arbor community and want to continue to build relationships with small businesses and non-profit organizations. We can help with all your printer, labeling, and printing needs, including on-location printer repair in Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas.

Wouldn’t it be awesome to be an MCS customer? Don’t miss out on these valuable benefits! Send us an email or call us today!

What's in Your Printer?

Laser printers are a very popular option for the efficiency and are the ideal choice if you need a printer that can take high volume, is fast, and is more economical to maintain compared to inkjet printers.

Today, laser printers have caught up to inkjets quite a bit when it comes to image quality, and many models can now produce clean, crisp images that you need for professional grade materials.

When you’re considering a Brother color printer versus other laser color printers on the market, make sure you take the following features into consideration before purchasing.

CLICK HERE and check out the article on our website for all of your top-of-the-line printer options!

Can Your Printer Keep Up?

Are you a small business owner looking to switch to a color laser printer?

Are you looking for a solution that will save you money in the long term and be efficient for your business needs?

The same printer you rely on for your business might also be a great addition for your home. Whether for your kids’ homework needs, or for when you’re working after hours, a Brother color printer is one of the best brands on the market!

 Trust MCS for All Your Brother Color Printer Needs in Ann Arbor! 

We truly care about the Ann Arbor community and want to continue to build relationships with small businesses and non-profit organizations. We can help with all your printer, labeling, and printing needs, including on-location printer repair in Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas.

If you’re purchasing a new laser printer or need advice about which printing solution is best for your home or business, we can help. Contact us today to discuss your needs!

Nationwide Service with a Local Feel

Are you working with a big, national printer cartridge company?

Do you feel like a number?

Print high quality images like this one with your printer maintained by MCS!

 Imagine this … It’s Thursday morning and you’ve just completed the finishing touches on your presentation for a marketing event that evening. “It’s finally ready to print!” you say. Fifteen seconds later, you see an error message and find your device is not only out of color toner, it’s also jammed! Panic sets in and you wonder “When was the last time this printer was serviced?” “How did I NOT notice that it needed a new printer cartridge?” and “How will I ever get this done in time?”

This scenario is all too common – copier/printer maintenance tends to be forgotten until it becomes an emergency.

Read more!

Revolutionary 3-D Printers! “Will We All Have One at Home?” Michigan Computer Supplies Weighs In!

You’ve probably seen it in Star Trek or another science-fiction movie – a piece of equipment that can reproduce or clone an object with just the touch of a button.  You may think it will be hundreds of years before we can achieve that technology.  Well, we’re here to tell you that if you haven’t yet heard of 3-D printing, prepare to have your mind blown! 

3-D printers use plastic, metal, or other materials, such as paper, to build layers upon layers to create 3-D objects.  The technology has been developing for almost thirty years and is currently exploding into many industries: medical, manufacturing, architecture, fashion, aeronautics, food, toys, and more.

It’s gaining ground in the medical field.  In fact, a news story from March 2014 lauded the efforts of Dr. Glenn Green and Scott Hollister, a biomedical engineer, both with the University of Michigan.  They teamed up to create a device that holds open an infant’s windpipe to help him breathe. The device used was 3-D printed with a polymer that is gentle on the body and dissolves within two to three years.  Scientists are using 3-D printing to build more body parts including noses, ears, blood vessels, skin, organs, and more. 

Last fall, the first 3-D printed, fully-functional, metal gun made news and caused a big stir.  Several Lawmakers proposed that the government may need to control public purchase of 3-D printers.  Highly skilled engineers designed the gun and created it with a 3-D printer typically used for manufacturing aerospace equipment and medical devices.   A similar working gun would be extremely difficult to make with a consumer grade 3-D printer. 

Something sweet is also coming from 3-D printers.  Manufacturers are using 3-D printers that extrude chocolate and sugar into intricately shaped candy.  Picture an edible cake topper or custom designed chocolates that resemble the guest-of-honor at your next party! 

Do you need to find a gift for that “hard to buy for” person?  Everyone loves to see themselves in photos, but how about their image on a doll or action figure?  At just $69.99 + taxes and shipping, you can upload a photo of someone and cubify.com will send you a realistic a mini figurine with their face!  In addition, cubify.com shows examples of creating jewelry, home decorations, shoes, and more.  You may not need your own 3-D printer because the service may be available soon from the company Mcor Technologies, who is teaming up with Staples to develop an in-store printing service.  Mcor Technologies uses a paper-based process to create photo-realistic colored objects.

We may not yet carry 3-D printers, but we are the place to call when you need a friendly, knowledgeable person to repair your printer in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Dexter and the surrounding areas.  We’re also happy to get you a price on replacing your existing printer, computer, and peripherals.  We may be small, but we’re pretty competitive with the big box stores.  Contact us today!  Call us at 734-213-5400 and we can discuss meeting all your computer supply needs.

By the way, if you have a few extra thousand dollars to spend, you can purchase your own 3-D printer!  Watch Christopher Barnatt, the futurist, and voice of explainingthefuture.com share a breakdown of his choices for the “Top 10 Consumer Grade 3-D Printers.” 

So, with 3-D printing gaining popularity, what’s on the horizon now?  Teleporting?  It sure would make the commute to work go a lot faster!

Resources:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/03/17/289042381/doctors-use-3-d-printing-to-help-a-baby-breathe

http://techland.time.com/2013/05/23/an-airway-created-with-a-3d-printer-saved-this-babys-life/

http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/at-work/innovation/ces-2014-trends-the-3-d-printing-industry-is-poised-to-explode

http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/robotics/industrial-robots/first-3dprinted-metal-gun-shows-tech-maturity

http://www.shapeways.com/miniatures/figurines?li=category-miniatures-memorabilia

Michigan Computer Supplies: "One of the friendliest places for computer repair Ann Arbor has to offer!"

How to make friends with your I.T. guy or gal!

Have you had to call your company’s I.T. help-line before?

Does the genius who answers the phone ever seem annoyed with you or your problem?

Computers are necessary to almost everything we do, especially at work.  When our computers are on the fritz we tend to get stressed or frustrated.  Then we take it out on the I.T. staff, or so-called “Computer Geeks.”  It’s really helpful to keep these “Geeks” on your side, because they’re generally the experts at solving problems for you!

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when communicating with I.T. staff:

1. Try to remain calm.  If you say mean or negative things to the I.T. guy or gal, they may not be as quick to help you.
2. Make sure your power is working.  If your computer and monitor come on, but you can’t type or move the cursor around, you may just need to replace the batteries in your wireless mouse and keyboard.
3. Try to be specific when describing the problem.  If you say “My computer’s not working,” that doesn’t really help them know what the issue is.  A few better examples might be: “My computer won’t turn on.” “My screen goes black ten minutes after I restart.” or “It’s making an odd noise and it smells hot.” 
4. If you receive an error message, write it down and share it with your technician.
5. Make note of when the problem started.  Does it occur every time you open a specific program?  Try to indicate when it happens and how often.   
6. If you’ve been having issues with your computer or printer, try to contact I.T. soon and don’t wait until you’re in a time crunch.  
7. Remember to say “Thank You” and show your appreciation.  Many I.T. workers feel blamed for problems that are out of their control.

Did you know that Michigan Computer Supplies is one of the friendliest places for computer repair Ann Arbor has available? 

We’re so lucky to have Drew Bedsole on our team.  Drew is highly skilled at repairing computer problems and custom computer builds to meet your business needs. 

Whether you have a computer or printer issue, we can help you troubleshoot and decide the best course of action.  Don’t hesitate to call us today, because we’re the friendliest place for computer repair Ann Arbor has to offer. 
734-213-5400