Printer recommendations--again

[RobW]

I know that this topic has been done before--frequently, but I need to bring it up again. I need to (quickly) replace my Epson SP820. I've not been real happy with my last two Epson printers and want to go in a different direction. This one died unexpectedly, and I'll need to pick one up this weekend. (No time to order online.)

Our main use is for basic things like homework, the occasional picture--but nothing high end. I know that HP printers are usually the ones that I hear about in the Epson vs ?? debates. What models are recommended? Any other brands? Pros-Cons? I'm using OSX.2.8.

One of my biggest problems with the Epson SP820 was that I felt that the print heads/nozzle needed very frequent cleaning. In addition, having to replace both the color and black cartridges at the same time was a real pain.

Anyway, I just feel that it's time for a change.

Thanks!

[kelly]

Some people like the Brother Printers.

[bobw]

I just had my 820 die after two years. Bought another Epson though, because of the quality. I got the 925 and it does have great picture quality.

Brother printers also also very good, at least the laser 1670N I have.

[Johanbgoot]

My 2¢.

Had a HP Deskwriter with the LC, worked great.  Received an Epson 740 bundled with the iMac, piece of junk.  Bought a HP 842 3 years ago, works great.  My next printer will be another HP.  Hope this helps.

Johan

[RobW]

Thanks guys. Humm, I never heard of Brother printers.

[Mayo]

If I was in the market for a new printer I would look at the HP brand because the last Epson I owned was clogged nearly every time I tried to use it.  Fortunately, Costco accepted its return after seven months...  My old Stylus Photo (six years and counting...) almost never clogged until recently when I went too long without using it.  Hopefully by using it more often it will continue to run clog-free and that I am not experiencing a problem due to its age.

If an HP can produce photos close to the Epson quality, it would be a no-brainer for me...

[jepinto]

I have a Epson 740 that you'll get from me when you pry my cold dead fingers off it.  What an absolute workhorse.

I leave it on sometimes for a month without printing and have never had a clogged head.  I use cheap generic ink ($4 for black, $6 for color), and I think I've had to clean the heads twice in 5 years.

I've turned it off and forgot about it for a month or so, turned it back on, no problems.  I've printed on glossy ink jet paper, regular 20 lb., 50 lb., up to a 150 two sided color copies at a time.

Envelopes are a bit confusing though, can't figure out which side is up (me, not the printer!)

Bought a 785EPX because of the remarkable sevice the 740 has given me.

[RobW]

I have an old Epson 740 that I bought last year on ebay. I use it on my computer in the basement. It gets used sporadically, has junk piled around it, I'm sure it's covered in dust from time to time, and yet it still works fine for what we need it for. I think I had to do a cleaning cycle once or twice after I bought it--and never since then.

However, this Epson SP820 is a different animal. I don't know if I've ever gone a week (or even a few days) without having to unclog it. And the darn thing seems to know when I'm in a hurry. For instance, having somebody yell, "Dad, I forgot to print out my paper last night. I have to leave for school in 10 minutes. Can you print it out??" That's a carved in stone guarantee that I'll have to go through about 5 cleaning cycles before it looks decent.

To be honest, I wasn't upset that it broke. (Or to be more accurate--was broken by somebody.)

[()]

hello, I would recommend either an Epson or Canon printer...

Canon has some really good photo quality printers out on the market,

also, stay away from the Lexmark...  I have one, it's ok, but not anywhere close to a Canon or Epson...