Printers

[()]

I just purchased a Lexmark Printer Z6505 model for my other computer and it seems to be a good one for only $69.00, that includes some software and two full ink cartridges instead of the demo cartridges that come with some printers.

Which printers are reall the best for your money?

I use to have an Epson, but it broke down, had a compaq, didn't like it at all, and I do have an All-N-1 (scanner, printer, copier) Lexmark Z75 on my other computer as well.

Lexmark Z6505 Printer 69.00
Lexmark Z75 all-n-1     99.99

Just curious to see what printers may be the best or better...
 

[Paul.Tait]

Funnily enough, I opened your post to say 'Don't touch Lexmark' as I thought you were looking to buy, but it seems you've already bought.

Anyway - don't touch Lexmark. We bought a Lexmark laser printer a couple of years ago and it has proved to be a complete load of junk. It's poorly made, constantly misfeeds, the print quality is average and the software is poor.

Sorry  

Paul

[Paddy]

I'm happy with both my HP's - a 960C inkjet and a Laserjet 2100. An Epson 850 I used to use was a very good, though horribly noisy printer that unfortunately dried out on me. The trouble with Epsons is that the print head is in the printer - if you can't get it clean (and repeated cleaning cycles and other measures failed with the 850) you're out of luck. The print head for the HP inkjets is in the ink cartridge, so they're not vulnerable to this type of permanent failure. That said, if I was going to be doing a lot of high-quality color photo printing, I'd probably look at an Epson with archival quality ink (and the ink in separate tanks for each color!). I'd just remember to run it at least once a week and turn it off when I wasn't using it!!!

We recently got my Mom a Canon inkjet, which seems to do a pretty good job. It was highly rated in the last round of printer reviews in Consumer Reports, and on CNET. It has separate ink cartridges for each color and is quite economical to operate.

Printer models change all the time - and quality can vary widely. The cheapo, "giveaway" printers that come bundled with many computers are usually lousy. You'll pay more to replace the ink on these beasts than to buy another one. (throwaway printers...wot a concept!   ) With cheap printers, the expected life-span is little more than a year, and the manufacturers make money on INK. I think, in most cases, you do get what you pay for...

[Mrious_be]

For my experience, i would always go for an HP.
The printing quality of Epson might be a little better but... i would NEVER tell anybody to buy an Epson.
I have had nothing than problems with them ranging a wide variety.
From non printing, no drivers to find, no support for OsX, no support online, no support when you call them, when you finally have an appointment they don't show up.... aaaargh, i get sick thinking about it.

My guess, anything is good, just try not to buy Epson

[jcarter]

Canon, HP, and Epson ran away with the show in the Consumer Report 2004 Buying Guide.  I just got it yesterday.
No other brand even made their list.
Jane

[jwboyd]

I'm VERY pleased with my HP PhotoSmart 7350.
 

[Gary S]

My HP DeskJet 932c is still working fine. I just wish I could find a way to
share it through my ethernet with the OS9x and OSX.2 computers.

I like HP.

[bellbram]

I use an Epson Stylus Colour 760.  Very pleased with it.  Also got an Epson Photo 810, 'cos I was told it was better for photos.   It's lousy and I never use it.  

Incidentally I've heard that Epson can detect if the ink cartridges are'nt theirs.  Not true.  I've been using non-Epson Cartridges for ages and never had a problem.  And they're one third the price.   If any UK Survivors are interested good ones are available in UK from Vin PC Ltd,   1a Edenhurst Avenue, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST3 6HF    Tel: 01782 593863

[MamaMoose]

I am very happy with my GCC Elite 21 laser printer. Price is around $1100. I hoipe to buy a color upgrade and then I casn get rid of my Epson 820 which eats ink like ther is no tomorrow.

MamaMoose

[swhitset]

Paddy,

First let me say that I completely agree with you about the HP printers.  I love my Photosmart 1000.  I also agree with you assessment of the Epsons.  However, you may be able to resurrect that  850.  Here is what I did with my old 740.  I had/have  an Epson stylus 740 that had become completely useless because the print heads had become clogged beyond use.  The printer would just bang around and refuse to even attempt to print.  This was probably my own fault because I had been using aftermarket ink cartridges in it.  Regardless, I got it working again.  I actually removed the print heads from the printer and soaked them in Acetone printed circuits and all.  I know what you may be thinking,  the print heads are mostly plastic and acetone eats plastic.  Well, I decided who cares the printer doesn't work anyway.  I let it soak for about a half hour and then thoroughly rinsed with water.  After allowing them to dry, I reinstalled them.  I then put a fresh set of Epson branded cartridges in, and the printer has worked like new ever since.  That was about two years ago.

I still use the HP for most things. However The Epson always works when called for.


P.S.  a couple months ago my Step dad gave me four  black epson cartridges that were supposed to go into a Stylus 4,5,6,700 printer.  They are not intended for the Stylus 740.  They do not even fit properly in the Stylus 740.  They are too small.  However, I put one in anyway and it has been working fine for over a month now.

[skiziks]

Hello

Just found this forum and a topic on printers.

I've been sitting on the fence, just looking at my Panther discs since Oct. 25th, waiting for anyone to say that they haven't had any trouble with their hp d135 printer after updating to Panther from 10.2.8.

Is there anyone that fits that description, and how did your update go?

Skiziks

[Paddy]

Steve, somewhere (on one of my hard drives...I think) there is a set of instructions on doing just about what you did - only they suggested using alcohol instead of acetone! The 850 is up in the attic right now, awaiting the "kill or cure" treatment. I just haven't had the time. It would be nice to get it working again - it even has a network card I bought for it, and it did print very nicely when it worked. Apparently, the only potential glitch (other than simply not succeeding in getting the print heads unclogged) is that it is possible to get things misaligned when everything is put back together. Of course, the other problem is...one doesn't know if the printer is working again until AFTER some $45 or so has been invested in new ink cartridges!

[swhitset]

Yeah,  I know what you mean about buying the "test" cartridges.  As far as having the time to do it...  I just decided to do it one night after work.  I just started pulling it apart with the attitude that It didn't matter if I wrecked it or not.  It didn't really take all that long.... maybe an hour from start to finish including the washing and drying.  I too would suggest alcohol... that was what I intended to use, but didn't have any on hand so... with that same go for broke attitude, I used acetone.  Beats me why it didn't wreck it worse.

Steve

[kelly]

Skiziks. Hello. Welcome to the Forum.

My first guess is that if your printer worked under Jaguar it still will.

http://h20015.www2.hp.com/en/softwareList....getype=software

You're probably the only one here who has one.

I've had to clean my Epson Photo 750 after not using it for a while.

Alcohol and InkForArt's "Deadhead Cleaners" do the trick.

[skiziks]

Thanks Kelly

I think that you are correct, I must be the only one here with the hp d135 printer. I feel that way when I look for ink cartridges at WalMart or Target. Always looking to save a few cents.

I have downloaded the latest update for this printer, but as the hp site says, this driver is for 10.2.

So, until hp, or someone else definitely says that it's Panther compatible, I'm holding off the install. It's not on Apples compatibility list either. I use the printer every day and it's the only one I have.