What printer to buy?

[Nithin]

Should I go for inkjet or laser? Has to be color. I plan to print photos.

I was told that laser works out cheaper in the long run because of high
cartridge costs.


Thanks
Nithin.

 

[BlueWeasel]

If cost is a concern, go with a Canon printer hands down. The cost of my 4 inkjet cartridges for my Canon S750 (3 colors, 1 black) is less than the cost of a single HP or Epson cartridge.

 

[Doh!]

Originally posted by: Nithin

I was told that laser works out cheaper in the long run because of high
cartridge costs.

What you were told pertains to printing black/white documents. Color laser printers are not only expensive, their cartridges cost more than a quality inkjet printers (unless you're anticipating to spend a couple of thousand dollars). At the moment, Canon "i" series printers have the best quality/price/maintenance. Get any of "i" printers that fits your budget.

 

[Macro2]

What is your price range? For about $200 you can get a Canon i960 or i950

A color laser doesn't work out cheaper than the Canon because you can refill the canon cartridges or get decent generics.

 

[Nithin]

oh, thats too much for me. i was thinking of the $50 models.

Is there a lot of difference in quality between the expensive and cheap ones?
For photographs mainly. I don't care about other stuff I print so much.

 

[Peter]

In that price range Canon's i250 is your best bet. Or spend a little more for the i350, which is faster and can do zero-margin photo prints.
Still, in that price range you don't get "single ink" technology, where you can replace every single ink tank separately. These two Canons have black separate, and a 3-in-1 color cartridge. That'll cost you afterwards.

 

[Slogun]

You may have figured it out by now, but you can't even get a monochrome laser printer for less than $100 after rebates.

Color lasers start at $600 or $700.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: Nithin
oh, thats too much for me. i was thinking of the $50 models.

Is there a lot of difference in quality between the expensive and cheap ones?
For photographs mainly. I don't care about other stuff I print so much.

You were thinking of a color laser yet you were only looking in the $50 range?

 

[Pretty Cool]

$50 printers are naturally not as good as the companies' mid-range line. Typically, they are slower and produce prints that are not as good. However, the worst part is the fact that these these manufacturers make up for the low initial cost by raising the price of ink. Consumers often mistakenly believe that a budget printer translates into reasonable consumables. Or, that lower price cartridges are always more cost efficient. Instead, look at cost per page.

 

[anandfan]

For $50, I bought a Canon S820 from Staples a couple of weeks ago. Supposed to do great color photos and reasonable text. Came with 6 individual ink carts ( CcMmYK) that are worth $70 alone! 3rd party cartridges and refills are available if you want to go really cheap. If you got a couple of weeks to wait around for another sale, you can probably get close to that price.

(unfortunately (???), I also may have bought a Canon S9000 wideformat printer from OfficeMax. First, I was told it was cancelled, now I'm told it's on its way but no tracking number. So I haven't opened the S820 yet. IF the S9000 comes, I MAY sell the S820 for $50 to someone local (Seattle area)).

 

[Nithin]

Originally posted by: Moralpanic

Originally posted by: Nithin
oh, thats too much for me. i was thinking of the $50 models.

Is there a lot of difference in quality between the expensive and cheap ones?
For photographs mainly. I don't care about other stuff I print so much.

You were thinking of a color laser yet you were only looking in the $50 range?

No. I was thinking of inkjet for 50 until my friend said laser works out cheaper. but
i didn't look at the prices for those.

 

[Macro2]

Beware of Printers that "look" cheap. They often come with starter cartridges and then nail you with outrageous cartridge costs.

Canon is the best way around this. I recommend you get a Canon i560. $99 at Sams. You might be able to stack some coupons at Staples or Dell or? and come up cheaper.

You then can then refill or use ISO certified generics cartridges and get good results.

Try these places for cheap cartridges.

megatoners.com
monsterinkjets.com
tylermartin.com

If you want to refill you ca get even closer to Canon ink quality.

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Originally posted by: Macro2
I recommend you get a Canon i560. $99 at Sams. You might be able to stack some coupons at Staples or Dell or? and come up cheaper.

listen to this advice. good stuff. i just bought one at sams a few weeks ago. absolutely incredible printer. it passed the wife-test with flying colors (she prints lots of photos). and it is quiet and fast on top of that. best 100 bucks i've spent since i stayed in the paris hilton.

 

[anandfan]

Here is a HotDeal :Canon $40 printer. Other HotDeals come up regularly.