Looking for good/cheap printer.

[Xenon14]

I'm already at college, but I neglected to buy a printer. I don't want to spend a lot of money, but I also don't want my papers to have ink smeared all over them. What's a good cheap printer (with color) and where is it sold? (I want to get it at a store such as office max, staples, etc.) Thanks.

 

[RichieZ]

hp 940c at office max, $90 - $20 OD coupon - $10 rebate

 

[Zepper]

Look at the Epson C80 - I think I've seen it advertized for around $100. (after MIR, of course) at one of the office/tech superstores in this week's circulars. It's about time for new printer models from all the majors, so you should see deals on the current stock everywhere (PC Mag printer issue about due!). Or check out the equivalent Canon model. You really can't go wrong either way!
The only drawback with the Epsons is that their printhead nozzles are narrower and/or longer than the others, so they tend to clog if you don't print about every day (picture in your mind Hank Hill and his 'narrow urethra' problem . The suggestion is that one of your first purchases after buying an Epson inkjet printer should be the Epson head cleaning kit .
Also some of the Epsons have "Smart Cartridges" that prevent you from doing your own refills - but there are outfits out there that have reverse-engineered this "feature" and sell compatible refills for less $$$s. Good luck.
.bh.

 

[igowerf]

I head that the newer Canon inkjet printers are pretty good. The print quality is nice and the ink cartridges are cheap as hell compared to other brands.

 

[RossMAN]

Epson 820 for $35.90

 

[Xenon14]

Several printers are priced competitavely HERE - Which should I get??? Thanks.

 

[RossMAN]

OfficeMax.com sells the Epson 820 for $99 and OfficeDepot B&M sells it for $35.90

You tell me where you should buy it from.

 

[Toro 45]

Office Depot has the Epson C60 on Sale for $49.00 add a pack of gum to get over $50.00, use the $20.00 off $50.00
& you end up with a decent printer for $30.00,hurry coupon ends tomorrow.I've heard but have'nt tried that O Max will honor the O Depot coupons so if they have a printer you like that may work as well.

Toro

 

[Xenon14]

Great. The Epson deal sounds appealing, but where do I get teh $20 coupon?

Also, is Lexmark any good? - they have a bunch of printers in teh $50 range.

 

[Toro 45]

It's like printing cash

Lexmark is ok,I just prefer HP & Epson so I can't really speak for Lexmark.

Toro

 

[Zepper]

I wouldn't generally buy or recommend Lexmark or HP inkjet, because their cartridges are too expensive and the HP bends the paper thru a U-shaped paper path (bad for heavy stock and labels. However, if you plan to refill the carts yourself then some Lexmark have good print quality. The Epson and Canon models that I would choose have separate ink tanks that are easily refillable (except the Smart ones mentioned above).
You should go to the PC Magazine and PC World mag. web sites (www.pcmag.com , www.pcworld.com ) and check out their reviews--you will immediately see from the PCW review that the Epson Stylus Photo 820 that others are touting here is not really for the college student, where black text or black with spot color will be the primary printing modes. The print quality varies by model and is not necessarily better on the more expensive ones--especially for text.
Also I would avoid a "Photo Printer" (like the Epson 820) unless printing photos will be really important to you--look at the C-series Epsons. You generally sacrifice some text printing quality and speed for the six-color photo printing quality--it seems that nothing is ever free!
Don't be in a hurry. As I said, the current printer models will be at blow-out pricing for the rest of this year (and probably into the next). Check the circulars in your local paper on Sun. and see what's out there, then check the reviews and review all that has been posted here.
.bh. OBW (older but wiser).

 

[m1ke101]

yup you hafta consider how much ink will cost when you buy a printer....because i've realized ink costs really add up. i'm just really happy i bought a epson 880, ink is like a dollar or two at megatoners

 

[MWink]

I recently bought a Canon S520 and so far I'm quite happy with it. I really like how cheap the ink is compared to my old HP.