Looking for a new printer

[Instan00dles]

Alright my lexmark 3200 is pissing me off, it doesnt print right even after replacing bother cartriges which by the way almost cost the same as a new damm printer. When I am looking for is the BEST bang for the buck one. A good, fast as possible printer with ink cartriges that dont cost $50+. Oh it also has to have a parallel port so it can plug into my router. I plan on going to futureshop on the weekend to pick one up. I belive I know which one I want, just want to see what you people think.

 

[Mavrick007]

It's fair to say that "cheaper" printers end up costing you more in the long run. If you plan on using something for quite some time into the future, buy a quality printer that costs a bit. Trust me, it will be worth it.

I read a review in PC-Mag that said that the cost per page on the cheaper printers usually ends up being more than the more expensive printers generally. I think they were saying that the cheapest cost per page is usually around 8cents, while the most was upwards of 33-40cents a page in "ink jets". If you do alot of black printing, get yourself a Laser printer cause the cost per toner is much less than an ink cartridge even though replacing one will cost a bit but you will get usually thousands of pages out of it(depending on toner cartridge size) compared to a couple of hundred pages from an ink jet.

If it has to be an ink jet printer cause of color(color lasers are too expensive), try to get one with separate color cartridges or at least one that offers larger than average cartridges.

I have a Lexmark Z52 and I like it alot, but it is rather expensive at around 17cents per page printing. If I could afford one, I would buy a better quality printer that costs around $300+.

 

[pcclub2000]

Hi
I would buy HP Photosmart 1115 for 199-$40 coupon

 

[dunkster]

There's a pretty good review/comparison of printers at tomshardware, including maintenance cost for printers reviewed.

Hope this helps!

 

[techwanabe]

The Epson Stylus C80 got a good review in the December 26, 2001 issue of PC Magazine - Editors choice. It uses waterproof inks!!! cost $0.04 per page (one of the cheapest) and there is a $30 rebate on it too from Staples.

 

[Instan00dles]

Yea I was thinking of picking up an espon, but the C80 is alitle out of my price range, The C60 is only $149.99 which is a nice price, I really cant go over that. I just hope it has a parallel port.

 

[rickn]

I love my Epson 785EPX, but I use it for photo printing. But, it is USB only. I took advantage of the Espon $100 rebate when buying a qualifying digital camera, so the printer end up costing me $78. The C80 is also a good printer, it has won quite a few awards, and epson ink cartridges are not to expensive since there is no built-in printhead.

 

[techwanabe]

<< Yea I was thinking of picking up an espon, but the C80 is alitle out of my price range, The C60 is only $149.99 which is a nice price, I really cant go over that. I just hope it has a parallel port. >>



But the Epson C80 is $149.99 after the $30 rebate!!! There is a Staples rebate for $30, which brings the cost down. Cost per page is less, waterproof inks, 20 ppm speed on draft mode, its a no brainer.

 

[John]

As a C80 owner, I can tell you the printer is not only loud, but the integrated print heads suck. You lose a lot of ink on the constant cleaning cycles in order to get good print results. I suppose I got a lemon.

 

[Instan00dles]

after looking at the reviews at toms hardware I am going to buy the canon S500, because the print quality was good, the beprate color cartriges are nice and it had a high pages pre ink cartriges so they will last longer. I am just gonna have to stretch my budget alittle.

 

[rickn]

John: well, it has to clean the heads like that because of the fact the printheads are built-in, otherwise they would clog. But, considering that the Epson 785EPX 5-color cartidges are only $13.89 at buy.com, i dont mind one bit buying the color ink. That is a very good price and low cost for the ink cartridges. When printing out a lot of prints, you pretty much go thru the color cartridge uniformly. And the Print Image Matching is superb.

Canon has 6 color individual ink tanks, and the individual ink tanks run around $11. Not much of a bargain if you ask me

 

[herbage11]

I just got an HP 920c from Wal-Mart for $99 to replace my Epson 850. So far it has been great. The warrenty is not to great but from what I hear HP is reliable and cheap to operate so it seems to fit my needs. Hope this helps.

 

[Pretty Cool]

Just a warning about the HP 920: If you buy this printer, you may be forced to refill to save on ink costs:

Some HP injets(81x, 84x, 916, 920, and 940) uses the #15 black cartridge instead of the #45 used by the 820, 830, 85x, 870, 89x, 93x, 95x, 96x, 97x, and 99x printers.

Because the first-mentioned machines have lower price points, HP decided to RIP-OFF customers by increasing the price of ink. Printers that use the #45 can also utilize the #15, but why would anyboby bother? Street prices for the #45 and #15 are both $30. However, the #45A includes 42ml of ink; the #15D includes 25ml. Open a #15 and you will notice the cartridge is only 60% full. Can users of the 81x, 84x, 916, 920, or 940 use the #45's? No. Apparently, HP utilizes some type protection built into the cartridge that forces you to use the #15's; #45's will not even be detected. People have tried blocking some contacts in attempt to circumvent the detection, but failed because some of the nozzles were also disabled in the process.

 

[ed21x]

i have a $140 canon s600 here, and the individual ink cartridges are only around $7 each.

 

[JellyBaby]

<< HP decided to RIP-OFF customers by increasing the price of ink. >>

While I don't disagree so long as you don't print heavily, their inkjets are still economical to operate relative to other brands. If you do print a ton, it's best to go laser for best long-term results.

 

[murphy55d]

I just bought a Lexmark E210 from Staples for $70 after rebate and coupon.

I think the deal is still on the hot Deals forum, maybe that would be something you'd want.

 

[Motero]

I would go with an Epson C60 or C80. I have a C60 and love it...you can get them for around $80...where as the C80 is about $150. They both have great quality and speed printing.

 

[n18mets]

I own the Epson C60 and usually have to buy new ink cartridges every 2-3 weeks. My family does print a lot (500-700 in that time frame), but even so, I think the interval between changing cartridges is too small. The only reason I bought this printer over and HP was because I was not aware that I had an open USB port

 

[yoyo25]

I find color ink jet printers to just be a novelty that wears off after a few weeks. I hardly ever print in color anymore, picked up a hp laserjet 6p 3 years ago for like $300 and has been working great, only replaced the toner once or twice i think at $75 a pop. Each toner lasts for about 7000-9000 prints i believe. I noticed recently hp sells a model hp 1000 laster printer i think, which sells for $199 or so, and can print at 8ppm. That would be a good investment for a printer that should last for years.

 

[Muadib]

I went through the same the last week, Instan00dles. I got the Epson Stylus C80 at Staples after pricematching it with Costo to get it to $169, then using a $30 off $150 coupon code. The C80 also has a $30 rebate, which brings the final cost to $109. I love it so far, but I've only printed about 150 sheets.

 

[lenjack]

If you can find a discontinued HP 930 or 932, go for it. They should be under $100, maybe well under. You can't go wrong with this printer. I paid $189 for it when it came out.

 

[John]

<< If you can find a discontinued HP 930 or 932, go for it. They should be under $100, maybe well under. You can't go wrong with this printer. I paid $189 for it when it came out. >>



I remember the "hot deal" on the 930C and Estamp rebate. I still have mine, and it's a damn nice printer. The newer 940, 960, 990's all use the same cartridges so basically all you gain is a little speed.