suggestions for a good color printer/scanner

merk

Senior member
May 29, 2003
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Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a printer/scanner? I dont care about fax although i'm guessing pretty much any printer that scans will also fax.

Having a network port so i can share it over the network would be a nice plus but not required.

I need something that will have good print quality. Don't care too much about print speed. Needs to be able to print in color.

I'm thinking a laser printer would be the way to go for better quality and long term lower cost compared to ink refills. But if there's a good inkjet I would consider it as well.

Any suggestions?

thanks
 

merk

Senior member
May 29, 2003
471
9
91
thanks for the reply. Do you know if the print quality on those is as good as a laser printer? I was told the laser printer would give you better quality. Although considering the price differences, it better be a big difference :)
 

Elstupido

Senior member
Jan 28, 2008
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Just bought a Pixma MX310 color inkjet from Costco for $79. Very inexpensive and the thing is a beast weight wise. the quality of the unit is impressive as is the print quality. I gave up on HP, all in ones as I have owned several.

The problem with HP is the cost of cartridges, you always pay full retail, no matter what for factory versions, and the lack of driver support anytime a new OS comes out. Cannon seems to be less cost to operate, and the build quality seems to dwarf HP. No problems with HP print quality though.

Guess it depends on how many copies you make daily or monthly to justify the higher initial cost of laser. In my case, I just make the occasional copy or print out, and can't really see the savings of laser. However when I had my business years ago, an old very expensive laser paid for itself in ink costs, when all my invoicing was copied and sent snail mail.

To sum things up this Canon is a very nice unit for the money, print and build quality, and inkjet cartridge prices. I will never go back to HP.

 

merk

Senior member
May 29, 2003
471
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91
I was considering this one, which is an HP:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16828104715

It seemed to get pretty good reviews and i also like that it has inidividual colors so i dont have to replace all of them when one color goes dry. And i can pick up the individual color's for around $8 each ($40 in a pack including black).

Do you have any complaints about the HP other then cartridges? Because i dont think that will be as important to me as others since i dont think i'll be printing that much. In fact i cant remember the last time i bought printer paper :)

thanks
 

Elstupido

Senior member
Jan 28, 2008
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Do what you like.... when HP printers work they work OK, but it really pisses me off when I have to discard a perfectly good printer a few years old because HP will not update their drivers for a new OS, for it, basically making it worthless.

I think the Canon is a better value all things considered, and yes go to Canon website for the latest drivers, as you would for any piece of new hardware.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...oOnlyMark=False&Page=2

 

merk

Senior member
May 29, 2003
471
9
91
ok, thanks. I'll check out the canon then and see how they compare to the HP.
 

merk

Senior member
May 29, 2003
471
9
91
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16828102255

I think i might go for that one...$10 more then the other one (after you include shipping) but this one has separate cartridges for the colors, which i prefer over a single one.

I can't tell from the newegg add - do they typically come with ink cartridges or do you have to buy them separate when you buy the printer?
 

Elstupido

Senior member
Jan 28, 2008
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That's the ironic part of the deal, they come with cartridges, sometimes a printer is cheaper to buy than the cartridges. That's where they make their MONEY.

Still not sure about the decision to buy just because of the individual tanks. You may be surprised how long the color cartridges last, compared to buying the color tanks. I would just buy the inexpensive all in one, and forget about it.
 

merk

Senior member
May 29, 2003
471
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well the one i linked to is an all in one...it's basically the same thing as the one you linked to with the except of it having separate cartridges for each color. I assumed that would be a good thing, no?
 

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
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I would not worry about that model

See link:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...mit.x=11&lang=en&cc=us

It can handle all these os (you may however, want to download and save them before they disappear)

Software & Driver downloads
HP Photosmart C6280 All-in-One

Select your operating system

» Microsoft Windows Vista
» Microsoft Windows Vista (64-bit)
» Microsoft Windows XP
» Microsoft Windows XP x64

» Microsoft Windows 2000
» Mac OS X
» Linux
 

merk

Senior member
May 29, 2003
471
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91
Oh i wasn't worried that it wouldn't handle XP and vista. I can't seriously imagine any major printer manufacturer not supporting those. I think what elstupido was saying was that when the replacement for vista comes around, maybe they wont come out with drivers for that OS with this printer. But i think I'm going to order the canon printer. It's $40 cheaper (with the free shipping) and as far as i can see the only thing i really lose is not having an ethernet port. Plus the canon is 10lbs lighter so can just stick it on the shelf over my desk.

hmmm actually, i think i'm going to go one model higher and go with the canon mp610. It has better print quality, although it is heavier. But amazon will ship it for free and after a $50 rebate it comes out to just $10 more then the hp, plus i have some gift cards for amazon so I can basically get this printer for free :)
 

SniperDaws

Senior member
Aug 14, 2007
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HP's inks cost too much its as simple as that, this is why i will not be getting a HP.


Merk you might want to add a USB cable to go with the printer you get because most printers dont come with one, so just ask before you order :)
 

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
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106
I agree, HP ink is somewhat costly. However, if you order at the HP store
you do get discounts now & then and they ship free & quickly. My HP7410
is still on it's original cartridges about 1 year now ... They are running down,
but I also do not print a lot. Lexmark ink is just as bad, cost wise.
 

merk

Senior member
May 29, 2003
471
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Originally posted by: SniperDaws
HP's inks cost too much its as simple as that, this is why i will not be getting a HP.
Merk you might want to add a USB cable to go with the printer you get because most printers dont come with one, so just ask before you order :)

well assuming its the same as the cable i have now, no worries. if not, i have a bunch of cables laying around in the closet.

As for the ink prices - i checked at a generic brand and they are $8 a pop for the color ones. Same price as the canon ink as well. I've had pretty good luck with this company buying ink for the current hp printer i have (and old inkjet). But i'm going to go with the canon mp610 - i can basically get it for free after a mail in rebate on amazon and some gift certs i have from amazon as well.

 

Elstupido

Senior member
Jan 28, 2008
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Merk, very nice printer! But as I thought a bit overkill accordint to your original post.

Go for it, I think you will be very happy with the Canon, as opposed to any HP in that price range.
 

merk

Senior member
May 29, 2003
471
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91
yes, it is a bit overkill. but it made sense to get it considering it got it for cheaper then i would have gotten the lower end model, since that one came with a $50 rebate and free shipping, which basically knocks $70 off the price. Too bad i already have an amazon visa - that would have been another $30 off the price, at which point i think they might owe me money after i buy it :)
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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There is a thread on page four of this section re. color laser MFPs. I'm a Canon fan as far as inkjet printers go and the print engines in the higher end MPs are nearly the equal of their print-only machines (iP series). In any inkjet printer, buying one with separate tanks for each color of ink should save you money in the long run. The lower end Canon MPs have integrated head cartridges with several colors in each - not the way to go, IMO. If you refill the ink tanks yourself, you can get your TCO down into the laser territory.

.bh.