Bi-, Semi-, Annual printer picks request for help

[RNKIII]

Ok, I know that this topic has been / can be talked to death... but here's my situation / request....

Wife and I are looking into a new printer for our home setup....

which is....

1. G5 iMac running 10.4.6 w/ 1GB memory and 250 GB HDD, USB direct connected to a Canon IP4000...

2. G4 iBook running 10.3.9 ("It's running good, stay away from 'my' computer with that install disk! ) w/ 768 MB memory and 60 GB HDD, connected wirelessly via Airport Extreme/USB connection to a quickly tiring Epson C84.

We are 'heavy' into creating family genealogy books (2 published, 6 to go on my side of the family, for about 15 people, 60 to 100 pages per book of mixed text, document copies, and pictures)......  
"We" are 'thinking' about a color laser for the final copies, not the rough draft work.
"I" am worried about the cost of cart replacement on the laser , 'she' is 'concerned' about producing a quality product for the family ....

"WE" would greatly appreciate any and all input into this decision process....  

TIA,

Bob K.   rnkiii

[Paddy]

Bob, I think the bottom line is; how important is it that the photos look good? Color laser printers - at least those in the affordable range, don't usually have great photo output. I perused the reviews at CNET to see if there were any exceptions to that for less than $1,000 and I couldn't see any. Acceptable/good photo output was about the best any review mentioned.

Laser printers, even color ones, are cheaper on a per-page basis (about 1/2 the price)

If archival ink and excellent photo quality is important, then Epson or Canon inkjets are probably your best bet.

If you can live with good, but not excellent photo output, check out the Minolta Magicolor 2430DL:

http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/2430dl.ars/1

CNET review of Minolta 2430DL

Best price (prices all over the map - from $299 refurbs at Tiger Direct to $549):

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?edc=738767

Hope that helps!

[krissel]

Did you ever give online publishing a thought?

It would take all the muss and fuss out of it for you and would be very professional looking? And there is no upfront cost to you at all. Only ordering the final product involves money.

Here's an example from CafePress:

http://www.cafepress.com/odalyhistory.12386350

[RNKIII]

for the links and suggestions....
We're now wondering if a 'vanilla' black-only laser for text, with our Canon IP4000 for color work, wouldn't be the best setup for what we want to accomplish??
Could we, with our current setup, (see initial post), get these all 'connected' to be able to interchangably be able to use them both from either computer??  Recognizing that the iBook will 'always' be connected via the Airport Extreme connection...

Again Thanks for the info and assistance.

Bob K.   rnkiii

[kelly]

I think that would be the best idea Bob.

No reason you can't have them both connected.