Hardware > PrintersEssentials

Heading a start-up after leaving his position as head of Microsoft Game Studios, Ed Fries thought that he might be able to sell 10,000 units of his product -- personalized online game figurines -- the first year.

Some home and office laser printers pose serious health risks and may spew out as much particulate matter as a cigarette smoker inhales, according to a local air quality researcher said.

Imagine the last time something in your house broke - a cup or plate, a bracket, a door handle, a component in an electrical appliance or mechanical device, a hinge, a switch - the list can go on and on. But instead of tossing the entire device out, or heading to the local hardware or electrical store to find an often costly replacement, imagine if you could recreate that object or component in your home on a 3D printer. Now imagine if the 3D printer you use to make that part could recreate itself as well.

Lexmark Australia has signed a contract with Optus to provide the telco's 'yes' shops with printers.