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BEST overall Printer

N

Negative Design

Member
I have 50$ to spend on a printer and have no idea which way to go.I'd like something that accepts refill ink and something not from compaq lol.
Last time I had a printer was over 7 years ago,I'm going to college soon and will be needing one now.

I have little experience with printers but from what I know,compaq printers are bad and some printers have spyware drivers embedded in them.

Thanks!
 
$50 isn't gonna get you much. Probably just a lexmark because their printers run cheaper but the ink is more expensive
 
i spent a little more back when these guys were in stock ip3000 from canon for $70 and a MP130 for like 95 with all in 1 unit. i loved them.

i say you just pick up those budget link printers on sale normally at target/walmart for like 25-30 they come with ink and everything. use it till it dies and get another one when its out of ink
 
I've seen alot of cheap printers at Newegg I thought someone would recommend one to me....I didn't know printer were so expensive...I don't wanna burn 70$ on one I doubt I'll use it that much.

I don't care if the printer is old or used I just need one that decent and uses cheap ink refills 🙂

I borrowed a lexmark printer last month and downloaded the drivers for it...and its frikking 100mb!!!! wow....this is why I want to stay far away from lexmark....what could it possibly need 100+mb for? lol


Can you guys recommend some old ones that I can get on ebay?


thanks.
 
Originally posted by: Negative Design
I've seen alot of cheap printers at Newegg I thought someone would recommend one to me....I didn't know printer were so expensive...I don't wanna burn 70$ on one I doubt I'll use it that much.

I don't care if the printer is old or used I just need one that decent and uses cheap ink refills 🙂

I borrowed a lexmark printer last month and downloaded the drivers for it...and its frikking 100mb!!!! wow....this is why I want to stay far away from lexmark....what could it possibly need 100+mb for? lol


Can you guys recommend some old ones that I can get on ebay?


thanks.
Click to expand...

http://downloads.lexmark.com/cgi-perl/d...fileID=528&searchLang=en&searchLang=en

its 300 KB....

http://downloads.lexmark.com/cgi-perl/d...fileID=426&searchLang=en&searchLang=en

this ones 2.6 MB...
 
First, I've owned HP, Cannon and Epson and all the software is in the 100mb range.

Second, I'd personally stay away from buying an "old one" off Ebay.......much better off just buying a cheap one ($35 - $50) at Wally World, Target, KMart, Best Buy, etc........
 
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Originally posted by: Negative Design
I've seen alot of cheap printers at Newegg I thought someone would recommend one to me....I didn't know printer were so expensive...I don't wanna burn 70$ on one I doubt I'll use it that much.

I don't care if the printer is old or used I just need one that decent and uses cheap ink refills 🙂

I borrowed a lexmark printer last month and downloaded the drivers for it...and its frikking 100mb!!!! wow....this is why I want to stay far away from lexmark....what could it possibly need 100+mb for? lol


Can you guys recommend some old ones that I can get on ebay?


thanks.
Click to expand...

http://downloads.lexmark.com/cgi-perl/d...fileID=528&searchLang=en&searchLang=en

its 300 KB....
Click to expand...

That's the driver..........if you want all the functionality (ink level, printing options, etc.) you'll have to use the software.......I'll admitt though, anymore on my kids systems, I simply let XP load the driver and don't worry about it!😉

 
Originally posted by: EndGame
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Originally posted by: Negative Design
I've seen alot of cheap printers at Newegg I thought someone would recommend one to me....I didn't know printer were so expensive...I don't wanna burn 70$ on one I doubt I'll use it that much.

I don't care if the printer is old or used I just need one that decent and uses cheap ink refills 🙂

I borrowed a lexmark printer last month and downloaded the drivers for it...and its frikking 100mb!!!! wow....this is why I want to stay far away from lexmark....what could it possibly need 100+mb for? lol


Can you guys recommend some old ones that I can get on ebay?


thanks.
Click to expand...

http://downloads.lexmark.com/cgi-perl/d...fileID=528&searchLang=en&searchLang=en

its 300 KB....
Click to expand...

That's the driver..........if you want all the functionality (ink level, printing options, etc.) you'll have to use the software.......I'll admitt though, anymore on my kids systems, I simply let XP load the driver and don't worry about it!😉
Click to expand...


well he said the drive was 100 MB...Thats all I was refuting.

I don't think even the basic software will total 100MB maybe if you add on all the extra photo editing software then it might...
 
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Originally posted by: EndGame
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Originally posted by: Negative Design
I've seen alot of cheap printers at Newegg I thought someone would recommend one to me....I didn't know printer were so expensive...I don't wanna burn 70$ on one I doubt I'll use it that much.

I don't care if the printer is old or used I just need one that decent and uses cheap ink refills 🙂

I borrowed a lexmark printer last month and downloaded the drivers for it...and its frikking 100mb!!!! wow....this is why I want to stay far away from lexmark....what could it possibly need 100+mb for? lol


Can you guys recommend some old ones that I can get on ebay?


thanks.
Click to expand...

http://downloads.lexmark.com/cgi-perl/d...fileID=528&searchLang=en&searchLang=en

its 300 KB....
Click to expand...

That's the driver..........if you want all the functionality (ink level, printing options, etc.) you'll have to use the software.......I'll admitt though, anymore on my kids systems, I simply let XP load the driver and don't worry about it!😉
Click to expand...


well he said the drive was 100 MB...Thats all I was refuting.

I don't think even the basic software will total 100MB maybe if you add on all the extra photo editing software then it might...
Click to expand...

LOL! That's just it............went and checked the software download for my Epson and my HP just now................Epson's is 132mb and HP's is 107mb............no option for basic package......you download the whole thing or just the driver. Canon and HP also have recntly implemented downloads much like Creative....it scans your system and then downloads the most recent drivers........

 
Originally posted by: EndGame
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Originally posted by: EndGame
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Originally posted by: Negative Design
I've seen alot of cheap printers at Newegg I thought someone would recommend one to me....I didn't know printer were so expensive...I don't wanna burn 70$ on one I doubt I'll use it that much.

I don't care if the printer is old or used I just need one that decent and uses cheap ink refills 🙂

I borrowed a lexmark printer last month and downloaded the drivers for it...and its frikking 100mb!!!! wow....this is why I want to stay far away from lexmark....what could it possibly need 100+mb for? lol


Can you guys recommend some old ones that I can get on ebay?


thanks.
Click to expand...

http://downloads.lexmark.com/cgi-perl/d...fileID=528&searchLang=en&searchLang=en

its 300 KB....
Click to expand...

That's the driver..........if you want all the functionality (ink level, printing options, etc.) you'll have to use the software.......I'll admitt though, anymore on my kids systems, I simply let XP load the driver and don't worry about it!😉
Click to expand...


well he said the drive was 100 MB...Thats all I was refuting.

I don't think even the basic software will total 100MB maybe if you add on all the extra photo editing software then it might...
Click to expand...

LOL! That's just it............went and checked the software download for my Epson and my HP just now................Epson's is 132mb and HP's is 107mb............no option for basic package......you download the whole thing or just the driver. Canon and HP also have recntly implemented downloads much like Creative....it scans your system and then downloads the most recent drivers........
Click to expand...

On canon's site you can pick and choose what you want to install. I have just the driver and the print settings/ink level monitoring and that's it.
 
Might depend on the age/model........I don't really mind it with cable but can you imagine someone on dialup!:Q
 
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: Negative Design
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: Howard
Do you need color, or is B&W-only acceptable?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Well I don't need color but I want it....never know when its gonna come in handy.
Click to expand...
You can get a decent laser printer for $50 after rebate from Newegg. No color, but you save a shitload on toner costs.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=1854048&enterthread=y
Click to expand...




Whoa ...that thing's a GIANT! I wouldn't pay 50$ for something so huge and only monochrome sorry.

Besides its 99.99$ and 69$ after rebate,I only have 50$ to spend.
 
Originally posted by: Negative Design
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: Negative Design
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: Howard
Do you need color, or is B&W-only acceptable?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Well I don't need color but I want it....never know when its gonna come in handy.
Click to expand...
You can get a decent laser printer for $50 after rebate from Newegg. No color, but you save a shitload on toner costs.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=1854048&enterthread=y
Click to expand...




Whoa ...that thing's a GIANT! I wouldn't pay 50$ for something so huge and only monochrome sorry.

Besides its 99.99$ and 69$ after rebate,I only have 50$ to spend.
Click to expand...
Try reading the post again... and if I recall, you didn't specify size as a constraint in the OP.
 
Officemax has the Epson CX-3810 for $45 after rebate.

Link

This AIO uses 4 cartridges:
T060120 - black
T060220 - cyan
T060320 - magenta
T060420 - yellow

Generics can be purchased for about $3-5 each.

Be aware that there are tradeoffs at this price point. Obviously, these machines are slower than their more expensive counterparts. What most people do not realize is that the cost-per-page can be 2X the price compared to a better unit. However, if you rarely print, this would be a non-issue. Regardless of which model you choose, take a look at the reviews at places like Amazon and Cnet to gauge the opinions of other users.
 
This thread belongs in the Peripherals section!

If you really want cheap operating expense, there are only two to look at. Brother MFC units or Canon S or iP models from last year (the iP 1500, 2000 or 3000). They are the only ones recently with passive ink tanks. Maybe you could find a good used or refurb Canon in your price range.
. I don't usually recommend Epson because of their clogging problems and that they make it difficult to actually use all of the ink in their tanks, but I found this refurb on Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16828103184R . You can get clone tanks for it from swiftink.com for $5. each. If I were you (whether you buy new or refurb), I would start using clone tanks right from the beginning to help limit the clogging problem and always use the same brand. And if you check the Hot Deals section here you'll see that swiftink is currently running a 35% off sale for AT members on Epson tanks. Be quick about changing tanks too as Epson inks are very fast drying. I recommend tag-team - one to pull the old tank and the other to pull the seal tape (if present) and plug in the new. 😉 . On the refurb from newegg - unless you can be satisfied that the unit has never had ink in it, I wouldn't buy it. If you want better piece of mind, you can buy a refurb of the same model direct from Epson that will come with a clean head, sealed new ink tanks and a factory warranty for $80. shipped ground. Plus you get a scanner thrown in for free as it's an AIO.
. Don't even bother trying to refill epson tanks because of the drying problem.

Good luck.

.bh.
 
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: Negative Design
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: Negative Design
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: Howard
Do you need color, or is B&W-only acceptable?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Well I don't need color but I want it....never know when its gonna come in handy.
Click to expand...
You can get a decent laser printer for $50 after rebate from Newegg. No color, but you save a shitload on toner costs.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=1854048&enterthread=y
Click to expand...




Whoa ...that thing's a GIANT! I wouldn't pay 50$ for something so huge and only monochrome sorry.

Besides its 99.99$ and 69$ after rebate,I only have 50$ to spend.
Click to expand...
Try reading the post again... and if I recall, you didn't specify size as a constraint in the OP.
Click to expand...



That printer was big but thats not why I don't like it.I wouldn't mind it being large and being color but this one just seems to impractical for me,and also the price was 99$ I cannot go over 50$ not even for a rebate.

But thanks anyway 🙂.
 
Originally posted by: Negative Design
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: Negative Design
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: Negative Design
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: Howard
Do you need color, or is B&W-only acceptable?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Well I don't need color but I want it....never know when its gonna come in handy.
Click to expand...
You can get a decent laser printer for $50 after rebate from Newegg. No color, but you save a shitload on toner costs.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=1854048&enterthread=y
Click to expand...




Whoa ...that thing's a GIANT! I wouldn't pay 50$ for something so huge and only monochrome sorry.

Besides its 99.99$ and 69$ after rebate,I only have 50$ to spend.
Click to expand...
Try reading the post again... and if I recall, you didn't specify size as a constraint in the OP.
Click to expand...



That printer was big but thats not why I don't like it.I wouldn't mind it being large and being color but this one just seems to impractical for me,and also the price was 99$ I cannot go over 50$ not even for a rebate.

But thanks anyway 🙂.
Click to expand...
You must have missed the part where I said it was $49.99 after rebate (and instant savings). Admittedly, shipping still has to be factored in.
 
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