Printer Recomendation

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Viper Frag

Golden Member
Nov 22, 1999
1,000
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I want a good printer that has a decent amount of features, very good printing quality, economic(as far as not having to replace ink cartridges very frequently), is compatible with Win2K, and good support as far as drivers and tech support. I usually print out a lot of graphical reports(like charts and graphs with ocassional pictures as supplements to my report), and memorandums. Thanks guys. I would like it to be below the $250 price range. Thanks. :)
 
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Hossenfeffer

Diamond Member
Jul 16, 2000
7,462
1
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The Epson 860 can be had for between $60-80 and will likely do nicely. The newer 880 which is around $150 increases the resolution you can print at and will move at a decent clip.
 
O

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Hey! This ain't the General Forum! :| Get outa here! :|

J/K :p

Absolutly, HP fits the bill there. Everything you ask for. Price, performance and support. I can definately say, stay away from Canon. Don't know about Epson. Lexmark seems kinda low end, but I really don't know.

Some of the middle line HP units use the same heads as the high end ones. All you lose is speed. Just find the best deal you can on an HP in that price range. Sometimes locally can be cheaper than online prices. Some online stores sell units without software, so their prices can be lower than local by $50.
 
V

Viper Frag

Golden Member
Nov 22, 1999
1,000
4
81
I forgot to add that it has to be pretty fast and that has a high resolution, not too high. ;)
 
V

Viper Frag

Golden Member
Nov 22, 1999
1,000
4
81
I would also like a specific model to be recommended, if it's not that much of a burden to you guys. Thanks. ;)
 
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Windogg

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,241
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No models off the top of my head but I would go with HP. I've used Epsons, Canons (WORST!!!), Lexmark, and others and HP still comes out tops. Goto a local store and check out the print quality to judge for yourself. If you have $250 then spend as close to it as you can. Like all things, you get what you pay for.

My only complaint is the highly intrsive driver package in HPs.

Windogg
 
V

Viper Frag

Golden Member
Nov 22, 1999
1,000
4
81
My only complaint is the highly intrsive driver package in HPs.
Windogg care to elaborate on that? ;)
 
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Windogg

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,241
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Viper: HPs make great heardware but the personal printers (mostly inkjets) don't lets you install just a bare driver. They usually insist on installing an icon that appears in the tray. In addition to the systems warnings, the HP software will pop up its own as well (paper out, etc...). Many HPs also make you go through a calibration process each time a cartridge is changed. The idiot box will keep popping up until you do it. Every so often the warnings will conflict (rare but it happens).

I probably make it out to be more serious than it actually is. Some people I talk to like the features but I'm a keep overhead to a minimum type.

Windogg
 
V

Viper Frag

Golden Member
Nov 22, 1999
1,000
4
81
I agree with you, and I also like to keep the overhead to a minimum. Is there a way around those bloated drivers? Can I just download the bare drivers off of their site?
 
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Windogg

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,241
0
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You could with some of the older printers but the recent ones automatically launch the HP printer setup even when you use the "Add Printer" in Windows. I'm using a NEC 870 Laser right now and the only HP Injets I've installed recently were two 755Cs which are too slow for your purposes. Maybe someone in "General Hardware" has the answer.

Windogg
 
V

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
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The HP drivers are a major pain in the ass. I somewhat doubt that HP has a "bare" driver package available, which is unfortunate.

Personally, I've always liked the print quality of Epson printers. It's been a while since I've kept up on Epson inkjets, but last time I looked they were at 1440x720. I'm sure they're past that by now. I was pleased with my 720x720 until it died. Have had it repaired twice, now I'm not fvcking with it anymore. Next printer I buy will probably be color laser.

Viper GTS
 
V

Viper Frag

Golden Member
Nov 22, 1999
1,000
4
81
Then I guess I'll have to choose between an HP and an EPSON. Which printing technology would I be better off with, Piezo or thermal printing? If you don't know about that then check this out: Piezo and Thermal :)
 
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Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Epson Stylus 900 Your cost ONLY $154 after $50 rebate - expires 9/30/00

Suit yourself. I bought my first Canon based on specs. They were far better than anything else in it's price range. Printed great too. But the damn jets clogged if it wasn't used almost daily. Gets expensive buying and cleaning cartridges all the time.

How well does the new Epson technology hold up? Why don't you buy it and let us all know?
 
V

Viper Frag

Golden Member
Nov 22, 1999
1,000
4
81
So you say that I would get those problems with an epson? Thats why I'm asking you guys so I won't have my $$$ go down the drain.
 
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Windogg

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,241
0
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I can confirm the clogged jets on the Canon. Not only that but my BJC-5000 is buttass slow in printing (takes forever to start and shutdown too). The Canon also has small cartridges the run out very fast. They are cheap but in the end, the total cost of ownership was very high in the end.

Windogg
 
V

Viper Frag

Golden Member
Nov 22, 1999
1,000
4
81
Ok then HP it is. I'll browse around their site and tell you the model that I like and ask for futher input on it. ;)
 
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toph99

Diamond Member
Aug 25, 2000
5,505
0
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i agree with HP. i have a 722C and it's great. i just find the patches for the drivers are a bit of a pain
 
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Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
I ain't saying one way or the other. I did notice a lot of refurbs for sale on Pricewatch. I will say the HP is a sure thing. The Epson just might be the better deal, but you'll need more input to make that decision. Sorry...
 
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Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
I hate to say this with the Ferengai hanging around, but I got the 895Cxi from Onsale a couple years ago for half price because of a misprice. They honored it too :)

Can't say enough good about it. It simply does not screw up and it's fast. Doesn't go through ink either. The original cartridge still has a little ink in it. I replaced it at about the one year mark in order to use a Buy.com coupon.

Is that the lowest you can you get it for? I don't see why it should cost more than that newer 930 unit.
 
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