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Author Topic: What printer should I get?  (Read 7429 times)

Offline weldiger

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What printer should I get?
« on: October 23, 2006, 12:45:29 PM »
I have an Igloo iMac G4 w/ 768 mb Ram.
I want economical ink usage - that means large ink capacity cartridge.
There are many all in ones available, but I just bought a scanner last week.  I do want to print some color photos, and would like good quality prints, but will use printer mostly for documents using only black ink.
I have had HP printers since Apple quit selling Canon made printers.
Have had two all in ones, and they have not been especially durable or easily used.
Lots of the new all in ones I have seen lately look real sharp, and are very compact, but most seem to have very small ink capacity.
I welcome any and all suggestions.
However the only stores locally are Staples, and Walmart.
[neither are particular favorites of mine - but they have some in stock]

Thanks

Shalom
weldiger
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Offline kbeartx

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What printer should I get?
« Reply #1 on: October 23, 2006, 03:15:12 PM »
IMO, you should NOT get an all-in-one, but a color inkjet.

In my personal experience, HPs and Epsons of yesteryear each had different plusses and minuses, but overall, were more or less comparable.  I did buy one newer Epson, and it seems WAY cheaper and flimsier than the older ones.
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Offline RobW

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What printer should I get?
« Reply #2 on: October 23, 2006, 03:40:02 PM »
I had used Epsons for years, but was not at all satisfied with the last couple that I had. I've been using a Canon (IP4200) for the last year or so and have been very happy with it. I'm certain that it uses less ink than my Epsons used to use.
« Last Edit: October 23, 2006, 03:40:38 PM by RobW »
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Offline jwboyd

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What printer should I get?
« Reply #3 on: October 23, 2006, 03:45:12 PM »
I use a LaserJet 1012 for my everyday black-and-white printing, and a PhotoSmart 7350 if I need to do color. This has been a very satisfactory arrangement for me, and I am sure my cost-per-page is lower than if I used inkjet only.

The LaserJet 1012 has been superseded by the 1020, which right now is available NEW from HP Shopping for US$129.99 after rebate. FREE SHIPPING, too! It is a 15-pages-per-minute printer, with first page out in 10 seconds. The priority feed feature is very useful when I need a few copies on different paper, when I want to do two-sided work, and for printing envelopes and/or labels.

I can't tell you anything about the newest HP color inkjets, except that I've never been disappointed in an HP printer.

Best regards,
Joe
« Last Edit: October 23, 2006, 03:50:40 PM by jwboyd »
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Offline sandbox

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What printer should I get?
« Reply #4 on: October 23, 2006, 04:08:28 PM »
I'm going to color laser in the near future. I have three Multifunction printers, 2 Brother and 1 Epson and they are all INK HOGS. I've been looking in this direction.
http://www.samsung.com/Products/Printerand.../CLP_300XAA.asp


I have good luck with Samsung products. wink.gif

ops..... I meant this one network ready
http://www.samsung.com/Products/Printerand...CLP_300NXAA.asp
« Last Edit: October 23, 2006, 04:23:49 PM by sandbox »
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Offline pendragon

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What printer should I get?
« Reply #5 on: October 23, 2006, 04:14:57 PM »
WD,

I had an Epson C86 and liked it fine enough, but after two years of moderately hard use, it failed.

So I called Epson Tech Support and the tech advised that while the machine was well past the warranty period, she would see if there were a solution. I went over the steps I had taken to remedy the situation, including “wasting” two new ink cartridges in the process. After a few minutes of discussion, she advised that the print heads were in need of repair. And while she was kind enough to advise of nearby repair facilities, it was clear the repair costs could not be justified.

She then told me that Epson would replace the two new cartridges I squandered during my futile repair attempts. All I need do is buy a new Epson of my choice, call back with the control number she furnished, and provide the model of my new/replacement machine.

A week later I did that. And a few days after that, the two new cartridges arrived—about a $40.00 value. Not enough to change my life style, but ‘twas a nice customer relations move, IMNHO.

FWIW, my new printer is an Epson R340, chosen in part because it (also) has a driver for Intel machines. $130.00, including shipping.

So far, I'm quite pleased with it.  clap.gif
« Last Edit: October 23, 2006, 04:17:04 PM by pendragon »
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Offline Mayo

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What printer should I get?
« Reply #6 on: October 23, 2006, 06:35:54 PM »
SB, I can't comment specifically regarding the Samsung printer, but a kindly computer salesman recently pointed out to me that 4-color laser printers have four toner carts that will need replacing and that they Aren't Cheap. Consumer color laser printers are not really suitable for printing photos, so color inkjets are the way to go for that purpose.

When I did the math regarding the color laser printer, a B&W laser printer and color inkjet were they way to go for an office that does mainly plain text printing and some color printing jobs.  Even taking into account the relatively high cost of color ink carts the color laser didn't make the cut.
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Offline chriskleeman

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What printer should I get?
« Reply #7 on: October 23, 2006, 06:58:53 PM »
Hey weldiger,

IMHO, Epson's are fairly cost-effective, especially if you buy aftermarket cartridges... but I have found that there is only one aftermarket cartridge that works consistently well on their machines... good ink cartridges The rest of them really s...  eek2.gif

You can buy fill up kits for some HP... as well. I haven't had much experience there, but my Epson SC 860 has been a workhorse for quite a few years now.

Hope this is helpful.

Best,

Chris K
« Last Edit: October 23, 2006, 06:59:27 PM by chriskleeman »
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Offline Parker

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What printer should I get?
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2006, 09:29:33 PM »
it has to be an inkjet?
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Offline giantmike

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What printer should I get?
« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2006, 09:40:58 PM »
I'm going to repeat Joe suggestion of a black and white laser printer for quickly spitting out pages, and a nice photo printer for when you really need the color. Using this setup, I have only changed the HP 1012's cartridge once (after about 2400 pages!), and have yet to change the Epson Stylus Photo 200's ink. In fact, I just printed something with the Epson, and the ink still flows well, even though all 6 colors are over a year old. Very nice!
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Offline sandbox

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What printer should I get?
« Reply #10 on: October 24, 2006, 01:07:41 AM »
QUOTE(Mayo @ Oct 23 2006, 07:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
SB, I can't comment specifically regarding the Samsung printer, but a kindly computer salesman recently pointed out to me that 4-color laser printers have four toner carts that will need replacing and that they Aren't Cheap. Consumer color laser printers are not really suitable for printing photos, so color inkjets are the way to go for that purpose.

When I did the math regarding the color laser printer, a B&W laser printer and color inkjet were they way to go for an office that does mainly plain text printing and some color printing jobs.  Even taking into account the relatively high cost of color ink carts the color laser didn't make the cut.


Thanks Mayo,
95% of what we do is B&W, letters and faxes.
Our letter head is a color emblem so some color is needed.
More and more we move photos digitally rather than in print so as time has gone by less photo printing has been necessary.
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Offline george

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What printer should I get?
« Reply #11 on: October 24, 2006, 04:29:37 AM »
Like RobW I have been using the Canon IP4200 and am more than happy with results and have replaced the tanks only once.
George
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Offline jcarter

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What printer should I get?
« Reply #12 on: October 24, 2006, 08:07:17 AM »
I use an Epson Stylus CX5444, its a scanner printer combo. I got it almost free with my Igloo.  Once I used generic ink cartridges, and splat!!!! what a mess, I had to perform Open Printer Q-Tip surgery and used almost a whole box before I got it cleaned up.
It runs just fine now, but Ive gone back to Epson cartridges at Wall Mart.
And for my pictures, I dont bother with printing them here, I just upload them to Shutterfly or Club Photo.  They do a great job and rather cheap.
Ive just ordered my Christmas calendars from ClubPhoto.
Jane
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Offline Mayo

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What printer should I get?
« Reply #13 on: October 24, 2006, 11:54:48 AM »
A friend of mine also has color in her letterhead logo so that was the primary reason for considering a four-color laser printer.  In her case we decided that it would be more cost-effective to have her letterhead printed than to spring for the color laser printer.
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Offline Parker

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What printer should I get?
« Reply #14 on: October 24, 2006, 04:49:22 PM »
Samsung has a new really cheap color laser out
the Samsung CLP-300

However i was comparing it to the HP 2600n
and this may be bias
but i sort of believe it
http://www.hp.com/sbso/expert/EX_CLJ2600nv...US_20060104.pdf


Anyways you're bound to get a better long term price tag on a color laser than on an inkjet

the toner carterages last much longer
and they're pretty cheap now a days
(cheaper than inkjet)

They sure don't make printers like they used to six years ago... i have now an inkjet HP OfficeJet G85 and i love it because they got cheap on the ink over the years
but now i'd only go laser.

Personally... i'd go for an HP Color LaserJet
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