Printer Recommendations

GuruX · 06-28-2009, 08:21 PM

It's time to retire my aging HP Photosmart P1100 printer. While it's been a reliable workhorse over the past 8 years (not bad for a refurb), it's finally starting to show its age. Furthermore, it's incompatible with Vista/Windows 7, so I think an upgrade is warranted.

I'm sure I'm going to receive a bit of criticism for this, but I'm actually considering a multi-function device. I know the adage of "jack of all trades, master of none" but for my needs I think an all-in-one should suit me just fine.

I do plan to print photos off it, so inkjet is definitely what I'm looking for. I also plan to scan in older pictures I have, and faxing would be a useful feature (though not an absolute requirement). Ethernet compatibility is a must, though wireless would be even better.

While I've been partial to HP ever since my first inkjet, I'm tired of paying $50 for a single color cartridge when the cyan ink runs out.

ramazank2 · 06-28-2009, 10:59 PM

I have a HP C7280 and would recommend it:
http://www.amazon.com/HP-Photosmart-.../dp/B000UY6M2G
I bought it at Office depot about a year ago for $170 or so. It is fully loaded with features. I like the Wifi and scan to USB drive functions.

The software kind of sucks (all HP SW would be the same) so I only install the basic driver but beyond that it is great printer. There used to be a problem with dual sided printing but that was fixed in a recent driver update.

Since the ink does not have a print head on it, it is basically just an ink reservoir. So I dont mind buying ink on ebay for $19.90 (3 black and one of each color, 5 colors).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=270359585677

DarkFury · 06-29-2009, 07:05 AM

Well I'm still not sold on the "all in ones" currently, but if it's gotta be, it's gotta be...

Personally, I still like my Epson R340 Photo Stylus. It has separate inks for each color, does photo prints, and can print directly on white inkjet labeled CDs/DVDs which comes in handy.

Of course the R340 is discontinued now, but they do have an R380 with updated inks out now.

zippyjuan · 06-29-2009, 02:30 PM

I gave up on printing photos at home since it seemed to get too expensive when you include the cost of inks and papers. I do any photo printing at the local drug store (unless I want any enlargements over 8x10) which is about a block or two away. They have a scanner I can use if necessary too. For my everyday printing needs (which are not that many) I picked up a Dell laser printer. Lower cost per page and I don't have to worry about the heads clogging (a problem I had on my Epson). But is just what works for my needs.

renovation · 06-30-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippyjuan

I gave up on printing photos at home since it seemed to get too expensive when you include the cost of inks and papers. I do any photo printing at the local drug store (unless I want any enlargements over 8x10) which is about a block or two away. They have a scanner I can use if necessary too. For my everyday printing needs (which are not that many) I picked up a Dell laser printer. Lower cost per page and I don't have to worry about the heads clogging (a problem I had on my Epson). But is just what works for my needs.

Quote:

Lower cost per page and I don't have to worry about the heads clogging (a problem I had on my Epson)

not had this problem with a epson yet .
but for time and costs it is a better deal for me to go to a photo shop and have my prints made unless i just eed one and not worry about time or quality. then i just run them on my epson all in one. but if i need any more then that one its off into the car for a ride to the photo shop with my SD card or thumb drive in tow.

Prngr44 · 07-01-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renovation

not had this problem with a epson yet .
but for time and costs it is a better deal for me to go to a photo shop and have my prints made unless i just eed one and not worry about time or quality. then i just run them on my epson all in one. but if i need any more then that one its off into the car for a ride to the photo shop with my SD card or thumb drive in tow.

Are there any privacy implications with doing this? Does the photo center always retain a copy (the file) of your print?

DarkFury · 06-29-2009, 02:47 PM

Yeah, I agree with ya on printing photos at my local Wal Mart instead of at home. Only 19 cents per print from my media stick.. unless I want a large photo (like an 8x10), then it's like $1.19 per print (or something like that).

Markel · 06-29-2009, 08:43 PM

I've got an HP photo printer (only prints 4x6 size) that I picked up cheap (and also got a great deal on some paper) that I use for occasional times we need a print in short order. It does a pretty good job. I recently picked up a Brother all-in-one (has ethernet and wireless built in, as well as a 5.8 GHz phone) that I've been pretty pleased with.

attgig · 06-30-2009, 10:08 AM

there's always an occasional 50 sheets of 4x6 photopaper for $1 or some deal like that out on the web. i always buy those, and always have photopaper for cheap.

zippyjuan · 06-30-2009, 07:40 PM

Paper is usually not that bad. For me it was paying $70 to replace all the ink cartriges. At 20 cents a print or $2 for an 8x 10 you can get an awful lot made at that price.

renovation · 07-04-2009, 07:11 AM

i do not believe they keep a copy as you keep the originals on your CD or thumb drive. but I'm sure they can keep a copy if the pictures are of something illegal nature.

06-28-2009, 08:21 PM	#1
GuruX Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada Posts: 2,369	Printer Recommendations It's time to retire my aging HP Photosmart P1100 printer. While it's been a reliable workhorse over the past 8 years (not bad for a refurb), it's finally starting to show its age. Furthermore, it's incompatible with Vista/Windows 7, so I think an upgrade is warranted. I'm sure I'm going to receive a bit of criticism for this, but I'm actually considering a multi-function device. I know the adage of "jack of all trades, master of none" but for my needs I think an all-in-one should suit me just fine. I do plan to print photos off it, so inkjet is definitely what I'm looking for. I also plan to scan in older pictures I have, and faxing would be a useful feature (though not an absolute requirement). Ethernet compatibility is a must, though wireless would be even better. While I've been partial to HP ever since my first inkjet, I'm tired of paying $50 for a single color cartridge when the cyan ink runs out. __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own. - Adam Savage

06-29-2009, 07:05 AM	#3
DarkFury Secretary of the Navy Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Chillin' N Da 'Hood Posts: 34,390	Well I'm still not sold on the "all in ones" currently, but if it's gotta be, it's gotta be... Personally, I still like my Epson R340 Photo Stylus. It has separate inks for each color, does photo prints, and can print directly on white inkjet labeled CDs/DVDs which comes in handy. Of course the R340 is discontinued now, but they do have an R380 with updated inks out now. __________________ DarkFury's Pimptopia - Don't Hate the Playa, Hate the Game! Home of the Original OG Pimp (accept NO imitations)

06-29-2009, 02:30 PM	#4
zippyjuan Picture of the Day Guru Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 8,709	I gave up on printing photos at home since it seemed to get too expensive when you include the cost of inks and papers. I do any photo printing at the local drug store (unless I want any enlargements over 8x10) which is about a block or two away. They have a scanner I can use if necessary too. For my everyday printing needs (which are not that many) I picked up a Dell laser printer. Lower cost per page and I don't have to worry about the heads clogging (a problem I had on my Epson). But is just what works for my needs. __________________ I add new pictures to my photo gallery pretty regularly. You can see them here if you are interested: http://www.pbase.com/jeffryz

06-29-2009, 08:43 PM	#8
Markel Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 11,270	I've got an HP photo printer (only prints 4x6 size) that I picked up cheap (and also got a great deal on some paper) that I use for occasional times we need a print in short order. It does a pretty good job. I recently picked up a Brother all-in-one (has ethernet and wireless built in, as well as a 5.8 GHz phone) that I've been pretty pleased with. __________________ stay low... keep moving...

06-30-2009, 10:08 AM	#9
attgig Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: the ghetto's of bawlmo' Posts: 11,481	there's always an occasional 50 sheets of 4x6 photopaper for $1 or some deal like that out on the web. i always buy those, and always have photopaper for cheap. __________________

06-28-2009, 10:59 PM	#2
ramazank2 Commander Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 1,269	I have a HP C7280 and would recommend it: http://www.amazon.com/HP-Photosmart-.../dp/B000UY6M2G I bought it at Office depot about a year ago for $170 or so. It is fully loaded with features. I like the Wifi and scan to USB drive functions. The software kind of sucks (all HP SW would be the same) so I only install the basic driver but beyond that it is great printer. There used to be a problem with dual sided printing but that was fixed in a recent driver update. Since the ink does not have a print head on it, it is basically just an ink reservoir. So I dont mind buying ink on ebay for $19.90 (3 black and one of each color, 5 colors). http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=270359585677

06-29-2009, 02:47 PM	#7
DarkFury Secretary of the Navy Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Chillin' N Da 'Hood Posts: 34,390	Yeah, I agree with ya on printing photos at my local Wal Mart instead of at home. Only 19 cents per print from my media stick.. unless I want a large photo (like an 8x10), then it's like $1.19 per print (or something like that).

06-30-2009, 07:40 PM	#10
zippyjuan Picture of the Day Guru Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 8,709	Paper is usually not that bad. For me it was paying $70 to replace all the ink cartriges. At 20 cents a print or $2 for an 8x 10 you can get an awful lot made at that price.

07-04-2009, 07:11 AM	#11
renovation Vice Admiral Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: by a lake in michigan Posts: 4,271	i do not believe they keep a copy as you keep the originals on your CD or thumb drive. but I'm sure they can keep a copy if the pictures are of something illegal nature.

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