Looking for a Printer...

[Bolen]

Anybody have any thoughts or recommendations for a do it all printer, scan, fax machine that's priced fairly, and doesn't blast through ink like an in port sailor might through beer? My only experience has been with HP machines, and I haven't been in the market for nearly 8-years, so I'm pretty ignorant. Oh yeah if you also know a good web site or b&m retailer for the purchase, that would be good to know too...

Thanks up front to any techies who share their wisdom...

Cheers, Bob

 

[artringwald]

I had an Epson RX500 that died just after I bought a new set of ink cartridges. It would say the ink was out and wouldn't let you print, even though the print quality was fine. I replaced it with a Canon MG6120, which lets you keep printing long after it thinks it's out of ink. It's more expensive that many, but I got it because the print quality for photos is excellent. List is $199, but you can buy it online as low as $115.

 

[pjrose]

We really like our Canon multifunction MP560. It's 3-4 years old now and never any problems. Wireless connectivity. On the few times we've lost the wireless to it (i.e. new Airport or long power failure), Canon's support talked me through all the steps to reconnect it to the network - even though it wasn't the printer's fault, and it was out of warranty.

I don't know if it's better or worse on ink than others, but it has the ink separated into five tanks, so if you recycle with Office Max, you get a lot of $3 credits added into your Office Max account.

 

[ausman]

I think the secret to buying a new printer is to line up a cheap source of ink for the models being contemplated.

This site has been mentioned on TUG previously and I used them to buy refillable ink cartridges when I had to buy a new printer 8 mths ago or so.

http://www.ccs-digital.com

I went with an Epson workforce 615, wireless printer with fax, copy, scan functions since cheap ink was available.

 

[Sewbiz13]

I have a Canon MX870 that prints, scans and faxes. I think I paid around $150 for it and I love it! I can scan and send it right to my email and that has come in very handy for business and personal items. I have had HP printers in the past and there was always some kind of glitch with them (and the ink was expensive). We now have this printer set up as wireless and have been very successful using it that way. The only downfall is that the paper tray doesn't hold a lot of paper but for me, that is no big deal. I love this printer!

Barbara

 

[Passepartout]

Kodak makes a line of printers that use pretty inexpensive ink carts. There's some talk that Kodak may go BK soon, but that may just be a business decision. Check WalMart.

I am personally lusting after a Brother wireless laser printer. I don't care that it's monochrome for 90% of my printing, and will automatically print on both sides of the paper. Sure, toner cartridges are more expensive than ink, but I am tired of replacing ink carts that dry up before going empty. I will keep my HP photo printer for when color is important, but that's pretty seldom, and Walgreen's or WalMart are right down the street and charge reasonable fees for photo prints.

Jim

 

[Carta]

I have a Canon MP495. It's an all-in-one (print, copy, scan)...B/c I replaced my old Canon w/ this one, the cost was $49.95.. Just do a search, and I'm sure you'll get a good price on any printer (online)

ps...... This printer is compatible w/ my Mac

 

[frankhi]

I have had HP printers in the past and there was always some kind of glitch with them

Barbara

+1, I like HP stuff just not there printers.... I have had a Lexmark (4 function) work perfect for 5 years, software is very good too

 

[urban5]

I have a Canon Multi Function 3240 laser that is about 6 years old. Unit works great and I have not had a single problem with it, although I have never used the fax portion of it, but why bother with a fax when a scan works as well and no phone charge. I use re-manufactured toner cartridges from Amazon with no problem as well. I bought it on sale at Staples for $99.

 

[MuranoJo]

We've had an HP Officejet Pro 8500 wireless for over a year that works great for us. So far, so good.

The wireless feature is neat--DH may be clear over yonder in the living room while I'm back here in my office, and the Officejet starts spitting out his prints from the other side of the house.

 

[nazclk]

HP

I bought an HP 6500A plus at Costco for $89 and it works great.

 

[Blues]

I have a Canon MX870 that prints, scans and faxes. I think I paid around $150 for it and I love it!

+1 for Canon MX870. I love mine, too.

I've bought cheap 3rd party ink from Amazon, from the vendor that goes by the name ink4print. Works great, and the ink is incredibly cheap. The trick to buying 3rd party ink is to make sure the vendor sells cartridges that have the embedded chip that the printer recognizes. I bought from this vendor because they stated that theirs had the chip. I've now bought from them twice (total of 3 sets of 5 ink cartridges), and it's always worked great. Works out to about $10 for a set of 5 cartridges, plus tax and shipping.

-Bob

 

[Ken555]

If you don't need color, I'd suggest looking at the multi function black and white laser options from Brother. I find laser to be much less expensive overall, rarely need to change the cartridge (if ever, depending on how much you print), and reliable.

 

[Sea Six]

I usually buy HP printers. If you have an iPhone and want to use bluetooth to print photos right from your phone, make sure the HP printer has the AirPrint feature. I can't believe the iPhone doesn't support any other bluetooth connection - even my old LG phone did that.

 

[blakebr]

Anybody have any thoughts or recommendations for a do it all printer, scan, fax machine that's priced fairly, and doesn't blast through ink like an in port sailor might through beer? My only experience has been with HP machines, and I haven't been in the market for nearly 8-years, so I'm pretty ignorant. Oh yeah if you also know a good web site or b&m retailer for the purchase, that would be good to know too...

Thanks up front to any techies who share their wisdom...

Cheers, Bob

check slickdeals.net on a regular basis. I have purchased all in one printers there for$24 bucks. Refurbished but who cares for $24 bucks. Buy three and save on ink.

Bruce

 

[geekette]

long time HP lover here.

 

[jlf58]

Hands down best printer on the market under $300

I just paid $150

We've had an HP Officejet Pro 8500 wireless for over a year that works great for us. So far, so good.

The wireless feature is neat--DH may be clear over yonder in the living room while I'm back here in my office, and the Officejet starts spitting out his prints from the other side of the house.

 

[ScoopKona]

I think the secret to buying a new printer is to line up a cheap source of ink for the models being contemplated.

^^^^ This.


Also, if possible, skip ink entirely and go with a laser printer. They cost less in the long run. When I had an inkjet, I'd have to constantly replace mostly-full ink cartridges because they clogged/dried in between print jobs.

Toner doesn't "go bad." I've had an Epson CX11 for five years now, and only had to replace the black toner once. The color toner is still the stuff that came with the printer. If it died tomorrow, it owes me nothing.

 

[LUVourMarriotts]

I also have a Canon that is fantastic. I have the MX850. I'm not sure if someone already mentioned this, but one of the greatest things about this printer is the ink. There are 5 ink cartridges (black/black photo/cyan/magenta/yellow. With this ink system, you replace a cartridge when it is needed, not like the multi-color cartridges. With a multi-color, if you use a lot of cyan, but not magenta/yellow, you may have to replace the cartridge just because cyan has run low. You have effectively wasted the magenta/yellow in that cartridge. And the ink is no more expensive, possibly even cheaper, than the multi-color cartridges.

 

[Bolen]

Thanks everybody, you've given me plenty to chew on, and I appreciate every responce... I know way more than I did a few days ago...

Cheers, Bob