Decent Printer?

[Geekling]

My printer just died on me. I've had it for a few years so I'm kinda happy it did. But now I have to go shopping for a new one. I don't really know what I'm looking for. Are all printers created equal? I need one that will scan, print, and fax. My spending limit is around $150. Any suggestions?

 

[pkme2]

I've have used HP, Epson, and Canon Printers.
The HP is excellent but cartridges are expensive. Epson are very good but easily clogs with either little or heavy use.
This leaves the Canon which is the happy medium for very good printing and inexpensive cartridges.

Canon PIXMA iP4200 Photo Printer
This version is very popular.

 

[deathwalker]

Might I suggest the Epson R340.

 

[50]

IP4000 if you can still find it.

 

[corkyg]

Just got the H-P 6980. It has built in Wi-Fi, and does a great job. Fast and quiet. It was $149 at Office Depot, but I had a $50 credit (frequent buyer) that made it a ganga deal for $99. <g>

 

[13Gigatons]

Originally posted by: Geekling
My printer just died on me. I've had it for a few years so I'm kinda happy it did. But now I have to go shopping for a new one. I don't really know what I'm looking for. Are all printers created equal? I need one that will scan, print, and fax. My spending limit is around $150. Any suggestions?

Canon MP500 is just what you are looking for:

Review: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1887780,00.asp

Buy it: http://www.pricegrabber.com/p__Canon_PI...jet_Printer,__11410971/sort_type=price

$128.99 = lowest = http://www.buy.com/prod/Canon_PIXMA_MP5...to_All_In_One/q/loc/101/201955331.html


EDIT: Didn't see that you wanted FAX with it so I change my recommendation to:

MP780 = http://computers.search.ebay.com/mp780_...2QQfromZR8QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsacatZ1245

MP800 = http://computers.search.ebay.com/mp800_...ftrvZ1QQsacatZ1245QQsaprchiZQQsaprcloZ

mp800 = http://www.pricegrabber.com/p__Canon_PI...oto_Printer,__11410972/sort_type=price

Sadly both of these machines cost more the $150.

 

[AlgaeEater]

Last generation Canon Printers for sure.

(Pixma 3000, 4000/4000R, MP 110, MP 130)

Excellent print quality and dirt cheap cartridges. (As low as $1.49 per cartridge)

DON'T buy the newer generation Canon printers which use specialized cartridges that are not allowed to be made by third parties. I bought a Pixma 1600 thinking it was a steal at $20 bucks only to find out the cartridges combined were $50 everytime I needed a replacement.

As for other brands, HP is pretty good. Try to find one that has inexpensive ink with a balance to quality. I never liked Epson since, as stated above, the ink heads always got clogged so easily. It was never really a major problem, but it was annoying to have to clean the ink head every time I needed to print. (Given if I only printed every other day) Epson ink isn't too expensive either if you choose the right model.

 

[0roo0roo]

hp, built to last

 

[13Gigatons]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
hp, built to last

hp, built for cash


There I fixed it for you.

 

[pkme2]

If you're doing a lot of printing, Canon printers maybe the best way to go. If you're like me, I prefer HP for durability even though the cartridges are higher in cost. Its still your choice.

 

[deathwalker]

Originally posted by: pkme2
If you're doing a lot of printing, Canon printers maybe the best way to go. If you're like me, I prefer HP for durability even though the cartridges are higher in cost. Its still your choice.

Epson priinters also fall in this catagory of printers with much less expensive cartridges than HP pinters.