Printer Help

[WilliamWallace08]

Hey guys,
I have this printer that I got free after rebate. I've used it for over two years and it's a piece of junk. I guess you get what you pay for.

I'm now looking for an all-in-one printer (must have scanner, and preferably faxing capability). I just want something that prints well. I use a printer mainly for printing on normal typing paper.

I prefer a printer whose ink doesn't cost a lot of money to refill and doesn't print out cheap quality. If you're looking for a price range, I don't really know what to say since I don't know much about printer prices. I guess $100-200? I don't print that much. I mostly use it to print out school papers, etc. Any recommendations? THANK YOU

 

[shortylickens]

AVOID Lexmark for any printing. Unless its a laser and you can get much better lasers too.
For multifunction I would generally recommend Canon, Brother or HP, whether its ink or laser.

My pick would be a laser multifunction like the one I got my mom, the HP 3330. But thats a little out of your price range and I know Lemon Law will be in here soon telling you that lasers suck and you should get an inkjet instead.
Your price range is actually a good thing because it simplifies so much. In that range there arent a lot of multifunctions available.
Just go to Staples or OfficeMax and look at quality brand-named multifunctions in your price range. Pick one you want, and then go home and buy it online for about half the retail price. Again, I'd suggest laser, but any laser that cheap will be crap.

 

[Zepper]

If you want just a great all-purpose printer, get the Canon iP4300. Typical price now is $100. but is often on sale or rebate for down around $80. sometimes you can find them for even less. A set of OEM ink tanks for it costs about $75. in most stores, though I suppose there is plenty of margin in there for store profit. Check the big-box store flyers in your weekend papers and use the price search engines to find your best bottom line.

Here's one option (Fry's): http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4976611 - $80. +sh after MIR. The best price I've found at about $90. shipped to me after rebate - if you can wait for the rebate.

Here's another:http://www.provantage.com/canon-1438b002~7CANN23C.htm - $77. no MIR +sh
Provantage's ground shipping often gets there as soon as others' 3-day due to shipping from the nearest warehouse. Approx. $95. shipped to me in central NY.

Newegg is $98.50 shipped.

$20. rebate at Staples this week - rebate has to be mailed. Allows for more delay and chance for submissions to be "lost in the mail", or flaws in submission that will allow them to wiggle out of paying... :roll:

Securemart has a good shipped price too (per Pricegrabber) but their rep. is iffy.

Microcenter is $80. straight up if you have one nearby or online.


You may find a better deal.

I get my clone tanks from http://www.swiftink.com - self-proclaimed ink seller to the Stars here on the AT forums. You have to learn how to transplant the chips from the OEM tanks for now, but that's not hard to do. They are under $4. and even less on sale - check often here in the Hot Deals section or on Heatware.com.

At least for now, there is nothing better in the inkjet world. Crisp black text with pigmented black ink and great photo prints too with all dye-based inks including a separate photo black tank. It is the PC Magazine general purpose inkjet printer of the year as the 4000 model series has been since its introduction. Has all the neat features except for direct printing on CD/DVDs but it can be modded to do that as well (the euro version comes with that feature as std. - patents keep them from doing so here) - parts and instructions available around the web.

However, if you can find an original iP4000 or iP5000 or an MP with similar print engines for a reasonable price - they don't have the chipped tanks so you'll have less hassle. New ones occasionally pop up on eBay at or above original MSRP. Original uses 3e and 6 series tanks while the new ones use 5 and 8 series tanks.

.bh.


PS: Looks like Canon snuck out the iP3300 when I wasn't looking - it is similar but has fewer nozzles and lacks the photo black ink. Typical price is under $80. I only saw it at one place so it may not be widely distributed yet. .bh.

 

[WilliamWallace08]

ahh ok.. i didn't know all in one printers generally cost more but I'm willing to pay whatever it would cost (would like it to have a scanner and fax). Thank you for all the help shortylickens and zepper. To zepper: some of the links you've posted seem to be just simple printers without scanning and faxing capability.

I will be going to the mall today, and possible staples. I'll keep these tips in mind.

 

[Zepper]

All in ones weren't mentioned in the OP and generally I recommend against them. I recommend a separate printer and scanner. If space is a problem rig a rack or shelf to arrange them one above the other. About the only drawback is that the PC has to be on to do copying or faxing - my trusty fax/modem handles the faxing chores in conjunction with the scanner if necessary. Most of my faxing is done directly from software applications rather than loose sheets anyway. Epson has a nice scanner on special in their Clearance center at an extra 10% off and free shipping if they have any left. Linkage - $98.10 shipped for the Perfection 4490. Nearly $200. shipped from Newegg currently. Of course you can get decent new scanners for even less on eBay if you're a sharp bidder.

The combo is more flexible and costs less than the MP-830 which is the one that would give the closest performance to the iP4300 in printing.

.bh.

 

[WilliamWallace08]

I actually did mention all in one in my original post. You may have missed it. I'll take a look at those models now and see what I decide after reading some reviews. I am trying to save space.

 

[xgsound]

I vote for a Canon with 5 seperate ink tanks and use ink from http://www.swiftink.com . The Canon printer could be an all in one, the 4000, or the 4300. At $3.95 a cartridge ($20 a set) you'll save more on ink than the cost of a printer within a year. You can save even more on ink if you want to refill, but the swift ink cartridges work fine and are easy to use.


Jim

 

[Zepper]

Easy to recoup the cost of printer or AIO on ink costs if you are willing to refill yourself or if clone ink tanks are available. Just takes less or more time depending on how fast you go thru ink. I wish Brother AIOs printed better as they still use passive tanks and clones are available, but relative to a Canon their output is nasty. A few HPs have passive separate tanks too but the clone tanks aren't very cheap. The new Kodak AIOs are supposed to be among the cheapest on OEM tanks but I don't know much else about them. I wonder if they have passive, clonable ink tanks. Probably won't be cloned unless they become popular.

Well, Kodak AIOs aren't likely to become popular among ATers - too dumbed down and narrow gauge. Pinters for the pro-wrestling/nascar crowd.

.bh.

 

[WilliamWallace08]

I used to have an HP printer and my experience with their printers is that the ink lasts for a LONG time, especially if you print in draft mode. I am taking good looks at the MP830 & MP530.

I will keep swiftink in mind as it seems to be the recommended choice here.

 

[Lemon law]

Sorry to disappoint shortlylickens but I am not per say down on lasers. Especially monchrome ones. But we have not asked the OP enough questions about his printing needs yet to really be
in a position to recommend anything. But we know printing, faxing, and scanning are all required. The other variables are color requirements, will photoprinting be desired, and anticipated yearly printing volume.

Once we have some better data and understanding of printing, faxing, and scanning needs, then long term cost of ownership can be estimated given the various options. And its still not clear if the OP has the space to have a separate scanner and printer or if it must be an all in one unit that faxes, prints, and scans. And the variable of just needing outgoing faxes is another big factor.

 

[bruceb]

If you like / want an all in one unit, I suggest looking for the HP7310 / HP7410
They are being discontinued in favor of the new HP L series which uses seperate
ink tanks and good deals can be found on either of them. I recently picked up a
HP7410 for $199 plus tax .. came to $222 total in NJ .. it had an in store coupon
and a mail in rebate .. Ink, however, is $30 for black & $35 for colr and you do
not many discounts on OEM HP ink cartridges.

Differences:

HP7410 has a second paper tray and also WIFI Built in in addition to a wired
network card .. otherwise features of the HP7310 are the same

Both can do Duplex Printing, FAX, Copy 1 or 2 sided in BW or Color,
has media slots for Picture Cards & both have a Legal Size Scanner
and can take Legal Size Paper