Tech: New printer -- advice?

Subject: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: GUEST,Steve Parkes
Date: 13 Sep 05 - 08:14 AM

I need to buy a new printer, and my shortlist is down to two: Epson Stylus C66 and HP 7450. The first has individal colour cart's and is cheaper; the other has six colours instead of three (on two cart's), and is more exensive. I don't really need to print my own photos, but the extra accuracy would be nice for the occasional artwork job.

Both have good reviews in the press, but I'd like to hear from regular users. Where else would I go but to fellow 'catters for unbiased and informed advice and observations?

Steve

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 13 Sep 05 - 09:17 AM

Try to get one that doesn't use chipped cartridges. They stop you refilling them, and they are designed to stop working after a set number of copies, even if there's in left in them. You can buy a resetter for them, though. Both Epson and HP use this system.

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Sep 05 - 10:18 AM

A printer with separate cartidge for each color means you don't have to throw out the rest of the ink when one runs empty.

I bought a Epson because of the price recently, thinking the ink would cost the same as the others. That's probably true, but I realized it will also probably fail sooner because it has upright paper (top load, down into the printing area). These tend to fail, bunching up paper and jamming after a while. Better to find one where you lay the paper in a try and it is picked up one at a time.

I don't know the particular models you're referring to, and don't have time to go search them out. Perhaps finding information on each and posting links would help others see just what you're trying to evaluate?

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: Cluin
Date: 13 Sep 05 - 10:25 AM

Will your occasional artwork be raster (pixel-based) images, like photos? Or vector images, like illustrator graphics or large lettering and signs? Will you need colour often?

Trying to determine if you need a photo-printer or not.

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: GUEST,helen
Date: 13 Sep 05 - 12:09 PM

Just in case it affects your choice, HP cartridges went up in August but I've just today been informed by one of my suppliers (I run a commercial stationers in NE England, so I get advance warning!) that Epson carts are going up on October 1st. If you don't mind compatible carts, I usually find Epsons are cheaper, but the quality can be poor. Quick glance in list reveals Epson black cart (T044140)- average page life 400, HP No. 56 - page life 450 and Epson is currently £1.00 cheaper in my list. But the features and print speed are probably more relevant. My printer at home is an old epson that seems quite happy to go on for ever. At work I've been through 3 HPs in the same time.

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 13 Sep 05 - 03:30 PM

Get yourself a good all-in-one Printer/Scanner/copier/cardreader... Like the Epson CX4600 we have... it's the best printer we've ever owned...

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: GUEST,Auldtimer
Date: 13 Sep 05 - 05:38 PM

Whatever you buy make sure it's an Epson.

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Sep 05 - 06:03 PM

I bought my wife an Epson C-66 (4 cartridges) for $89 Canadian (about $65-70 US$ ) and it is a very good printer; just as good as my more expensive and weightier Epson.

I bought an Epson RX620 which combines a scanner and printer- BAD choice!
I am sorry I bought it because it is cumbersome and slow in routine operation. The software, supposedly better, I find difficult to use.
I wish I had bought a separate high res printer instead to go with the Epson 4180 scanner I already had.

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 13 Sep 05 - 06:05 PM

Laser printers are often recommended over combo ink-jet/bubble-jet types of the same price. If you just want a moderate amount of black printing. They can come with auto double siding - so it turns the paper over itself.

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 13 Sep 05 - 07:28 PM

re foolestropes comments: some do find having 2 printers, 1 mono laser and 1 colour ink jet the best and most economical solution for thier needs.

As for the original question, my own *feeling* (which I stand to be corrected on) would be to go with the more general purpose printer if photo printing isn't a specific need.

Whichever way, as a general principle, be aware that ink jet manufacturers make the money on the cartridges, not the printer.

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Sep 05 - 07:55 PM

My first printer was a laser. My daughter who doesn't do color pictures has it now. It has been trouble-free for several years.

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: GUEST,Name not given because I don't wanna do 10 t
Date: 13 Sep 05 - 08:37 PM

It will pay for itself in no time, but be careful as to the quality paper you use. That is very important. The stuff you print must FEEL the same as the regular bills, and watch the ink. Also, I would suggest keeping the denomination to fives. Seems a trifle low, I know, but everyone expects people to print larger bills and so that's what folks LOOK for.

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: Peace
Date: 13 Sep 05 - 08:40 PM

I think the writer above meant his name to read "Name not given because I don't wanna do 10 to 15 years in the Big House." Just a thought.

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Sep 05 - 10:00 PM

I will respectfully disagree with Clinton on the choice of an all-in-one. It's fine while all three parts are working properly, but if one part stops working, it can affect the other two, or you end up having to throw the two that work away when you buy a new unit to replace the part that doesn't work. I'm also not convinced that the scanners on those are very versatile.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: GUEST,DB
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 04:00 AM

Personally, I tend to prefer HP equipment - for the simple reason that it is reliable and the software is excellent. After a number of years of experience, with home computing equipment, I increasingly find that 'ease-of-use' is very high up my list of priorities. Easy to use software and clear, concise documentation (for those occasions when intuition fails)are vital.

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: Cluin
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 06:01 PM

Unless it's to print photos pretty much exclusively, there's no need for the six colour cartridge printer.

A good single all-around printer is a moderately priced 3 colour inkjet type by a reliable manufacturer (NOT Lexmark!) that will print at least 300 dpi.

If you are doing text only, get a one colour (black) laser printer. The quality, speeed and economy (price per page) is far better with one of those than an inkjet. The toner cartridges are more expensive but last much longer.

Colour laser printers... I haven't seen one that was affordable to the average user that did as good a job as a much much cheaper inkjet.

Also, the quality of paper used matters. Cheap dirty paper will dirty the inside of the printer where you can't clean it and will shorten its usuable life. DON'T use cheap newsprint at all, even for proofing. And heavyweight papers wear out the rollers inside the printer a bit more as well. I have an old laser printer that still prints very well, but has trouble separating sheets from the feed tray now; you have to load them in one at a time. It was using heavier weight card stock in that printer several times that caused this problem, I believe.

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 11:19 PM

Find a printer/scanner good enough, given the right paper, to pay for itself in bogus bills.

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: Amos
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 11:24 PM

ALthough we have a Laser printer (about ten years old and still a workhorse) I have been very happy with an R800 from Epson. With it, I print CDs (get the right kind!) and their inserts and color images of all kinds.

Of course it depends entirely on what sort of stuff you want to do.


A

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 14 Sep 05 - 11:32 PM

Looking at an Epson R800 now. I'll take that as a recommendation, Amos. Inks are supposed to be archival grade. $500 in Canadian dollars.
I am going to give the combination scanner-printer (Epson RX620) to a daughter. She may have more patience with it than I do.

Subject: RE: Tech: New printer -- advice?
From: mg
Date: 15 Sep 05 - 01:20 AM

my policy as a non-computer expert is to only by HP. I have not known them to fail. mg