I Need Recommendations! big LCD's and inkjet printers

ski · 08-06-2002, 04:13 AM

Hello, hello, hello

I'm looking at some large LCD monitors, and I need a little help. First off, I'm setting up dual monitors, where I'd use a 19" CRT as the secondary one (for games and such) and an 18"+ LCD for the primary (so my eyes will have it easier for text and everything else). My cap is $850, so that Dell 20.1" is out of the question ^_^ I saw one that looked appealing, and several peeps over at FW bought it and raved about it. For a 19" LCD, $770 is the right price for me.

500:1 a good contrast ratio?
What about 350:1, let's say?
Digital/Analog connector? Is that one capable of digital?

Secondly, I need a printer! My Lexmark Z31 SUCKS! Bought it for $20 on Black Friday 2 years ago. I'm done with Lexmark, so it'd be HP, Canon, or Epson. All I need is something that prints documents and occasional pictures, and the ink must be cheap (unlike Lexy)! Any suggestions? I'm looking at the $90 and below group.

Thanks for any recommendations you can give me! I'll be checking it out

ski · 08-06-2002, 01:53 PM

One more thought: when will LCD's come down in price and how soon? What do you think the price of a $800 19" LCD will be in 6 months?

Thanks...

Apex · 08-06-2002, 02:25 PM

The Sceptre is not bad, and actually great for the price... depending on what you're using it for. The issue is with the white -> black transition. MVA based screens tend to have a problem with the fall.

500:1 is great, depending on technology. 350:1 is very good too. That one is capable of DVI, and you definitely want to use it.

G_Sup · 08-06-2002, 02:28 PM

Skitomic, I can't really comment on the LCD screens, however I can on the printer. I like you was looking for an affordable printer with good output and did a hell of a lot of research! My conclusion came down to the HP 920c and I couldn't of been happier!!! Just got it 2 days ago from Dell for a little over $90 shipped! I had an Epson 850 which i paid over $300 for 2 years ago and this thing kicks it's ass! It is so quiet that you literally have to put your ear next to the thing to hear it print! Quality is top notch too, it pumps out high resolution pictures from my camera almost as good as the photoshop. Check out all the customer reviews on it at Amazon.com. I usually like to listen to actual customer reviews as opposed to author reviews. I can guarentee you won't be disappointed with this printer!

spigidygak · 08-06-2002, 03:32 PM

About printer advice I'd look to buying one in the midrange price (120-250) because you'll save money in the long run. It'll be better quality, print longer and cost per page will be cheaper than the cheap printers that use up ink real quick and have porr output.

ski · 08-07-2002, 05:34 AM

All right, spigidy, you've convinced me. $120 is now my target... what would you recommend? I saw on the Deals page (Mr. Inkman post) that HP's have that special cap that will cost a bit more.

Thanks Apex and G_Sup ... I appreciate your help!

G_Sup · 08-07-2002, 09:36 AM

SkiAtomic, may I at least suggest reading people's comments over at Amazon for whatever printer you are getting. Usually their is 30+ reviews for popular printers there and you can at least get a feel of what other people are saying. Too bad you are stuck on $120+, despite spigidygak's opinion he's dead wrong on the HP 920c. I've gone through some damn expensive printers and this one is top notch. I will have to agree that HP cartridge replacements are pretty pricey though...regardless on the model printer. At least go read the reviews on it.

spigidygak · 08-07-2002, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by G_Sup
Too bad you are stuck on $120+, despite spigidygak's opinion he's dead wrong on the HP 920c. I've gone through some damn expensive printers and this one is top notch. I will have to agree that HP cartridge replacements are pretty pricey though...regardless on the model printer. At least go read the reviews on it.

? I didn't say anything about the 920c. Anyhow check out cnet's reviews since they break down the average cost to print a page. If you want to still spend under $100 look into the canon s300, epson c60 and hp 920c. I would lean towards the canon first then epson. Just for the reason that even if you are planning to do a few photos hps aren't exactly that great for photos. The s300 is a real good performer too its faster than either the epson or hp and has better text output.

Some good and bad things about the s300. It only has usb connectivity as far as I know, which could be a problem for some users. But the good stuff out of this is that its fast for even printers twice as much. The output quality is probably the better of the three too.

The epson c60 of course first problem is the chance of clogged print heads. However if you use the printer regularly and don't leave it on all of the time it should be fine. Loud, some people care about how loud a printer is and epsons are usually the loudest noisemakers. But the epson has the best photo output period.

The hp 920c has one problem, 90 day warranty versus 1 year for the other two. The text output is decent and the photo is good too. While most think hps are great at photo quality, if you compare it to a canon or epson it doesn't match. The pictures almost have a surreal look to them instead of what the print should look like.

If you are willing to buck up the few more bills then look into these: canon s750, epson c80 or hp 940c.

And about the monitors. . .

You definitely want to go with DVI. Analog connections are just bad. You'll get a slight blurred image and it becomes more evident the bigger the screen you get. You may want to look into a 17" or lower for a higher quality output if the reason you are getting it is for your eyes rather than skimping on quality and getting a bigger flat panel.

And just as a side note, be weary of the reviews of "users" at Amazon, cnet and other such places. Its usually either fanboys or haters of the company that do "reviews" of the product. More reliable places would be a site that does reviews only kinda like gotapex

.

G_Sup · 08-08-2002, 02:02 AM

Cnet is a very good place for reviews, I go there all the time, however I want to hear what the actual person (consumer) is saying, not some reviewer who may or may not of recieved a good product with good drivers. Just out of curiousity spigidygak, do you have any hands on experience on the 920c or is this all based on CNET? I'm just curious becuase I've read some crappy reviews on CNET on particular products which don't even come close to what actual consumers say.

spigidygak · 08-08-2002, 10:55 AM

Yes I've checked out all three printers myself. I was personally in the market for a sub $100 inkjet but opted to get a laser printer since the text output couldn't be matched (payed $180 for a samsung 1430). I personaly thought the text on the hp was inferior to the canon but a lil' close to the epson. But yes that is a subjective judgement to some extent I guess. But you have to realize hp isn't exactly the best quality company out there, just big. . .

ski · 08-10-2002, 09:35 PM

Thanks VERY much. ^_^ I'm putting aside $750 for a 19" LCD right now, and in a few months, I'm going to buy one, and hopefully there will be some change from that $750

I'm still considering printers, but Epson seems like a good bet.

If you read this, my friend told me that Costco has 3 year warranties on all items they sell. THEY fix it if it breaks supposedly. Seems odd, but I wasn't sure if that's true. If it is, I'll take a trip up there and buy that Epson I've had my eye on

ski · 08-11-2002, 08:37 PM

Hey -- check out my post in the Deals forum about the Epson 785EPX. For that price, I'd love to have something like that which would print digital photos. Ink carts at MrInkMan.com are only $14 and $13 for color and black, so it looks like a sound plan, unless this printer is horrible! Thoughts?

LINKY to post (Epson 785EPX Photo Inkjet ($150 reg) for under $87 AR and PM)

08-06-2002, 04:13 AM	#1
ski Admiral Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 5,420	I Need Recommendations! big LCD's and inkjet printers Hello, hello, hello I'm looking at some large LCD monitors, and I need a little help. First off, I'm setting up dual monitors, where I'd use a 19" CRT as the secondary one (for games and such) and an 18"+ LCD for the primary (so my eyes will have it easier for text and everything else). My cap is $850, so that Dell 20.1" is out of the question ^_^ I saw one that looked appealing, and several peeps over at FW bought it and raved about it. For a 19" LCD, $770 is the right price for me. 500:1 a good contrast ratio? What about 350:1, let's say? Digital/Analog connector? Is that one capable of digital? Secondly, I need a printer! My Lexmark Z31 SUCKS! Bought it for $20 on Black Friday 2 years ago. I'm done with Lexmark, so it'd be HP, Canon, or Epson. All I need is something that prints documents and occasional pictures, and the ink must be cheap (unlike Lexy)! Any suggestions? I'm looking at the $90 and below group. Thanks for any recommendations you can give me! I'll be checking it out

08-06-2002, 03:32 PM	#5
spigidygak Admiral Join Date: May 2000 Location: Redlands & San Diego, CA. Posts: 5,882	About printer advice I'd look to buying one in the midrange price (120-250) because you'll save money in the long run. It'll be better quality, print longer and cost per page will be cheaper than the cheap printers that use up ink real quick and have porr output. __________________

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08-06-2002, 01:53 PM	#2
ski Admiral Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 5,420	One more thought: when will LCD's come down in price and how soon? What do you think the price of a $800 19" LCD will be in 6 months? Thanks...

08-06-2002, 02:25 PM	#3
Apex Can you hear me now? Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Here Posts: 5,506	The Sceptre is not bad, and actually great for the price... depending on what you're using it for. The issue is with the white -> black transition. MVA based screens tend to have a problem with the fall. 500:1 is great, depending on technology. 350:1 is very good too. That one is capable of DVI, and you definitely want to use it.

08-06-2002, 02:28 PM	#4
G_Sup Lieutenant Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: CA Posts: 262	Skitomic, I can't really comment on the LCD screens, however I can on the printer. I like you was looking for an affordable printer with good output and did a hell of a lot of research! My conclusion came down to the HP 920c and I couldn't of been happier!!! Just got it 2 days ago from Dell for a little over $90 shipped! I had an Epson 850 which i paid over $300 for 2 years ago and this thing kicks it's ass! It is so quiet that you literally have to put your ear next to the thing to hear it print! Quality is top notch too, it pumps out high resolution pictures from my camera almost as good as the photoshop. Check out all the customer reviews on it at Amazon.com. I usually like to listen to actual customer reviews as opposed to author reviews. I can guarentee you won't be disappointed with this printer!

08-07-2002, 05:34 AM	#6
ski Admiral Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 5,420	All right, spigidy, you've convinced me. $120 is now my target... what would you recommend? I saw on the Deals page (Mr. Inkman post) that HP's have that special cap that will cost a bit more. Thanks Apex and G_Sup ... I appreciate your help!

08-07-2002, 09:36 AM	#7
G_Sup Lieutenant Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: CA Posts: 262	SkiAtomic, may I at least suggest reading people's comments over at Amazon for whatever printer you are getting. Usually their is 30+ reviews for popular printers there and you can at least get a feel of what other people are saying. Too bad you are stuck on $120+, despite spigidygak's opinion he's dead wrong on the HP 920c. I've gone through some damn expensive printers and this one is top notch. I will have to agree that HP cartridge replacements are pretty pricey though...regardless on the model printer. At least go read the reviews on it.

08-08-2002, 02:02 AM	#9
G_Sup Lieutenant Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: CA Posts: 262	Cnet is a very good place for reviews, I go there all the time, however I want to hear what the actual person (consumer) is saying, not some reviewer who may or may not of recieved a good product with good drivers. Just out of curiousity spigidygak, do you have any hands on experience on the 920c or is this all based on CNET? I'm just curious becuase I've read some crappy reviews on CNET on particular products which don't even come close to what actual consumers say.

08-08-2002, 10:55 AM	#10
spigidygak Admiral Join Date: May 2000 Location: Redlands & San Diego, CA. Posts: 5,882	Yes I've checked out all three printers myself. I was personally in the market for a sub $100 inkjet but opted to get a laser printer since the text output couldn't be matched (payed $180 for a samsung 1430). I personaly thought the text on the hp was inferior to the canon but a lil' close to the epson. But yes that is a subjective judgement to some extent I guess. But you have to realize hp isn't exactly the best quality company out there, just big. . .

08-10-2002, 09:35 PM	#11
ski Admiral Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 5,420	Thanks VERY much. ^_^ I'm putting aside $750 for a 19" LCD right now, and in a few months, I'm going to buy one, and hopefully there will be some change from that $750 I'm still considering printers, but Epson seems like a good bet. If you read this, my friend told me that Costco has 3 year warranties on all items they sell. THEY fix it if it breaks supposedly. Seems odd, but I wasn't sure if that's true. If it is, I'll take a trip up there and buy that Epson I've had my eye on

08-11-2002, 08:37 PM	#12
ski Admiral Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 5,420	Hey -- check out my post in the Deals forum about the Epson 785EPX. For that price, I'd love to have something like that which would print digital photos. Ink carts at MrInkMan.com are only $14 and $13 for color and black, so it looks like a sound plan, unless this printer is horrible! Thoughts? LINKY to post (Epson 785EPX Photo Inkjet ($150 reg) for under $87 AR and PM)

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