I know about linuxprinting sight - but it is cumbersome- list some printers on the market now that work well with linux

[episodic]

I'm looking for a short list of cheap printers that work with linux.

I've got a Canon Pixma printer, and I am disgusted it doesn't seem to work.

What kind of printer 'just' works?

 

[cleverhandle]

Well, like most things, printer recommendations depend on your needs. If you're not patient enough to do a little reading at the site, you're not likely to make a good purchase. But for color inkjets, Epson and HP are well-supported - Epson by gimp-print and HP by their own driver. There are lots of details here, just a click away from the front page.

 

[magomago]

my samsung mx1710 works wonderful. just make sure you don't have a "win printeR" and you are fine

 

[P0ldy]

I was going to say the Samsung ML-1740. The documentation even included instructions for setting it up under Linux.

 

[rahvin]

Jesus, too cumbersome to use? If you aren't willing to look up compatible hardware what the hell are you doing using linux anyway?

 

[KB]

I have had good luck with every HP printer I have tried.

 

[Sunner]

Originally posted by: KB
I have had good luck with every HP printer I have tried.

Same here, the computer I'm on now connects to a HP 8100TN via IPP, and it's working very well.

That aside, indeed if you don't wanna bother looking at the site, it's unlikely that you'll ever be happy with anything you buy, other than by sheer luck.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: rahvin
Jesus, too cumbersome to use? If you aren't willing to look up compatible hardware what the hell are you doing using linux anyway?

Ok, I've been trying to be nice, but linuxprinting is not exactly up to date.

On one part of it it tells you that canon printers are supported. So I buy a pixma (even though it is not specifically mentioned) only to find it is not supported at all.

The site isn't up to date.

 

[stuntman242]

Epson c80 or c82 work well with cups.

 

[drag]

Originally posted by: episodic

Originally posted by: rahvin
Jesus, too cumbersome to use? If you aren't willing to look up compatible hardware what the hell are you doing using linux anyway?

Ok, I've been trying to be nice, but linuxprinting is not exactly up to date.

On one part of it it tells you that canon printers are supported. So I buy a pixma (even though it is not specifically mentioned) only to find it is not supported at all.

The site isn't up to date.

Not a horrible deal for you, I hope. take the printer back and say it won't work with your computer. Try to get a epson or HP...

If it's not listed, it's your risk most of the time:
http://www.linuxprinting.org/printer_list.cgi?make=Canon

Canons have DREADFULL linux support, the only ones that are supported are probably remarked models from other manufacturers or were reversed engineered.

Most printers that call themselves 'postscript' printers should be supported. That is these printers include curcuitry and proccessor to proccess postscript files.. you just send them the right type of PS file and they can deal with it automaticly.

Most newer, cheaper printers are like those WinModems, or software modems.. they use software to emulate real printers on your computer and then your computer 'controls' the printer... in these printers they are little more then a motor and a couple small bits of curcuitry to handle the USB inputs. That's why they are so cheap.

Without this propriatory emulation software you can't use Linux with them.. canons are one of those companies that refuse to support Linux.

I don't know if you noticed or not, but Linuxprinter.org has a page 'suggested printers' at:
http://www.linuxprinting.org/suggested.html

They tell you as much and give you some examples of good printers to look for.


There 'good' printer recommendation is the Epson Stylus C82. Suppose to give good color quality and ink usage. Plus it has CYMK-based ink, which is a nice thing. Generally the rule goes that more expensive the printer, the cheaper the ink refills get.. so it may be more expensive the 'cheapies', but you'll win out in the long run if you do lots of prints.

I don't know if that stuff is realy out of date or not.. but generally aviod:
Lexmark
Canon
Brothers

bad stuff.

HP, Epson, generally good. Double check though with specific models.

 

[cleverhandle]

Originally posted by: episodic
Ok, I've been trying to be nice, but linuxprinting is not exactly up to date.

OK, that's at least a fair enough complaint. Much better than "it's cumbersome".

Nonetheless, if you're buying hardware for Linux, don't buy anything without a direct statement that that particular model is supported, along with details about whatever version of the driver/software was needed. Even very similar-looking models can end up working quite differently on the inside.

A quick Google search on "Canon Pixma linux" shows up a number of mailing list threads asking about support, but no solutions - that's a bad sign. But it also turned up a commercial print driver project by the name of Turboprint that supports the Pixmas. They have a free test version if you want to check it out. Or just return it for an Epson or HP.