Decent printer?

[CTho9305]

My mom wants a printer... can anyone recommend something that is reasonably fast and good quality, with ink that doesn't cost a fortune (e.g. no lexmark)? She mostly prints text documents.

 

[stncttr908]

If you're using it for text mostly then you really don't have to go spend a forture for a printer. I'd even consider looking around ebay for a used printer so you can refill the cartridges, and they'll end up costing much more than the printer itself in the long run. I have an Epson that is almost 8 years old and the black and white quality is still satisfactory. I'm not saying you have to get something that old, as you can still get a low end Epson model for < $70 usually through Best Buy or another chain.

 

[John]

Buy a laser printer. I have (2) HP 6L's here at the house w/ 9MB ram, and they are gems!

 

[DaveSimmons]

For text (but no color) a laser like the Brother 5040 for $230-280 is a good buy, especially since toner carts don't dry out if you don't use them every day (they last at least a year). Also consider that the cost includes the equivalent of 5-10 ink carts worth of toner.

For reviews, see www.pcworld.com and their "top 10" lists, plus www.cnet.com