Computer Printer Purchace Advice

15 years ago

I am in the market for a new computer printer. I would like to get one that is all-in-one. It will be for home use only and the number of prints will not be substantial per month but I would still like one that gives me good value per print. It doesn't have to have a display although it is nice to have, it is not a necessary feature.

Can anyone give me advice on ones to look at(i.e. models, brands etc.) Good places to look to purchase? A B&M, online etc. I am looking at the price range of $100-$250. Thanks for any advice....

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Comments (6)

countryboymo
15 years ago
First and foremost I would get one with individual ink colors that are replaceable so you only replace the color that is low rather than a three part cartridge. Second I would get one that is wireless if you have more than on computer in the home to access it. I prefer HP but there are many other quality brands. The all in one's are the only way to go. I have had one for years.
jdbillp
15 years ago
Buy an HP.

Many people find the color cartridges are used up even when mostly printing text.

That is because most printers use color ink when printing black.

So, if you are going to be printing mostly text, set your computer default to print gray scale.

You can always override the default to print color pictures, etc.
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The only negative to all-in-ones is if one of the functions you require fails the whole unit is not satisfactory. I recently went from a flatbed to an all-in one and have no regrets. Of course, mine was a package throw-in and free of charge so my feelings may be a little askew. Also, you might want to check and make sure any HP unit you are interested in comes with the Vista drivers. Mine was an HP Vista "ready", but I was suppose to download the Vista drivers; 177 MBs. On my antique DUN that would have required 9 hours, if the connection remained stable. The alternative was to purchase them from HP. I filed a complaint with the HP CEO and received the drivers for free. I did have to wait 10 days for them. DA
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I really like laser printers unless you do color, but if you do a lot they're still cheaper and less hassle than inkjets. I like the space savings of an all-in-one and looked at one at Target. I'm curious about the Kodak printers. They're comparable in price to HP but the ink is much cheaper than others. That's one of their advertisements. Don't know anyone personally who has one but the reviews I've read have been favorable. I have a Brother HP2040 laser and it's great, but of course it's black only. I also have an old Epson inkjet that I bought for $3 at a garage sale but it's not working right - ink dried up from non-use. I go in streaks where I'll print 100 sheets or more in a couple days, then won't print anything for 4 or 5 months. Bought the laser right when I was required to do a lot of printing for work but that changed shortly after I got the printer! But I don't regret getting it. I still have need for faxing on occasion so I would want the fax capability in it, and I think the copier function would be handy. I usually use a scanner and printer for quick copies. And use my XP unit for faxing from the computer on occasion or receiving if need be and I have a fax machine for sending too. Way more than you wanted to know, huh? LOL I'll say this about HP. Generally they're good quality but they have big issues with drivers and software. They can really make a mess out of a machine when things go wrong. I've had to straighten out a lot of units and HP is far more problematic in this regard than others. However, when they work properly they're usually pretty good units. But from my experiences I'd personally avoid them. I'd rather work on their problems when I'm billing for it rather than my own time.
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regus_patoff
15 years ago
Before you buy any printer, check the price of replacement cartridges.

Some non-OEM on eBay (and other places) are about $1 ea. (not HP nor Lexmark)

http://www.megatoners.com
pjb999
15 years ago
Consider a laser printer - do you really need colour? Much cheaper to run, and the cartridges don't dry out, which can happen before you've used up the ink. It might be worth considering something like a laser all in one, plus a separate one for colour, if you really need it.

Brand wise, I love my samsung laser, it's just a printer but it works great, the drivers are good and it's good to use.

I also have an hp all in one Officejet 7200. Hardware, good, but it did crap out under warranty, software in theory great (will allow you to scan direct to pdf if you're using a mac) but in practice, lots and lots of problems with hp drivers and the software, in my experience anyway, and this is my second hp AIO.
steve_o
15 years ago
+1 on considering a laser printer if you're printing text almost exclusively (you can always go to a Kinko's or a photo place to print an excellent color file).

My brother uses a Brother that's quiet, prints cleanly, and doesn't double your printer investment when it's time to replace the toner cartridge.

If you do choose to buy an inkjet printer, I'd stay away from Lexmark and Dell models (Lexmark makes them for Dell). They tend to be noisy and replacement cartridges are surprisingly expensive.
criticalmass048
15 years ago
+1 on the laser. I had an HP all in one, and while it worked well, I didn't print color often enough so that when I went to use color, the ink was dried out.

I found that printing photos was much cheaper to just put my digital photos on a memory card and printing them up at a local store. Printing 107 photos recently cost me about $21, which is still not as much as a new cartridge, and the pictures won't fade.

I put that aside, and now I use a Brother MFC-7420. I paid $199 at Office Depot, got a $70 mail-in rebate, so it came down to $129. Print, fax, flatbed copier & scanner... it does everything I need!

Here is a link that might be useful: MFC-7420 at Brother's Web Site

Computer Printer Purchace Advice

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countryboymo

jdbillp

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