Government Compliant Printers

  • Thread starter Thread starter mindless_drone
  • Start date Start date
In message said:
At various places on the web, one can find printers described as
"Government Compliant". For example,
http://www.wolfcamera.com/product/EP5457575.htm
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail~dpno~625201.asp
What does Government Compliant really mean?
Click to expand...

The only thing I can think of is that both those you have listed are
lasers, and lasers tend to have little stickers on them saying FCC
compliant or something - so do CD drives.

Presumably the US Government is scared that we have all been watching
too many James Bond films and are going to be able to dis-assemble them
to make hugely powerful laser firing weapon systems.
 
The only thing I can think of is that both those you have listed are
lasers, and lasers tend to have little stickers on them saying FCC
compliant or something - so do CD drives.

Presumably the US Government is scared that we have all been watching
too many James Bond films and are going to be able to dis-assemble them
to make hugely powerful laser firing weapon systems.
Click to expand...

Well from some companies, you can buy the government compliant for a
slightly higher price than those advertised w/o "Government Compliant",
suggesting perhaps there is a difference but it couldn't be much at the
small price difference.

For example the same printer either way with slightly different part #,
but same model #,

http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail~dpno~624955.asp
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail~dpno~583608.asp

Some of the specs on the Government Compliant version are obviously
wrong such as the dimensions which look cut-n-pasted from some other
printer, but otherwise something incurrs an additional charge. I'll
send off an email to Lexmark to see what they say, I'm beginning to
wonder if it has something to do with a waste take-back, recycling sort
of program where they guarantee they'll take it when it's retired.
 
Hi!
At various places on the web, one can find printers described as
"Government Compliant". For example,
Click to expand...

Perhaps it is something to do with control of access to sensitive
information. Some printers can have job retention features added with the
installation of more memory or a hard disk. Perhaps the government models
don't allow this to be added--or I guess they could even come with it
preinstalled, as some people might consider the holding of a document in the
printer until the person who printed it can come along and unlock it a
security bonus.

I've also heard of customized printers for use in banks and such that have
been customized to use a secured means of communication when printing over a
network.

William
 
The only difference I could see is the extended onsite warranty (and the
additional parallel port).
 
Back in the older days of dot matrix printers, there were specific
government compliant printers that had special shielding inside the
printer. It was said you could intercept the signals sent to the
printer and figure out what was being printed. The entire inside of
the casing of the printer had to be shielded. Even the clear cover
over the paper on the top had a gold colored screen, like you'd see on
a screen door.

Could be these laser printers have enough shielding around the guts
of the printers so that any stray signals are blocked.

Raymond
 
frederick said:
Incredible.
I don't see a definitive answer.
I expect that all over the US, government employees probably order
thousands of "compliant" printers with no idea what it means.
Click to expand...

Lexmark returned my email though their answer wasn't as comprehensive
as I'd have liked, but nevertheless here's what they had to say:
(following the /GSA/ URL below is a dead end, just a price list and
same info they emailed plus Mr Peck's email addy).

Thank you for contacting Lexmark. I appreciate the opportunity
to assist you, and I hope my suggestions will provide a
resolution.

The Lexmark Government compliant printers are made in the
United States for Government use. Some are also available in
220volts instead of the normal 110volts. For more details on
the Government compliant printers you can contact Danny Peck
at 800-258-8575 option number 3, or by going to our GSA
website at https://shop.lexmark.com/GSA.

If you have any further questions, please submit them.
Have a great day.

Thank you,

Charity
Lexmark Presales
www.lexmark.com
 
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