recommed me a printer
Author
Discussion

treehack

Original Poster:

998 posts

269 months

Saturday 26th August 2006
quotequote all
hi folks,need a new printer.my old epsom is good but at £75ish to replace the ink cartridges i may as well buy a new one(did this last time the previous one ran out as it was cheaper than the cartridges).budget of 100-150.needs to be smallish,no use for an all in one type,mainly used for pictures.any help appreciated.

ta

thepassenger

6,962 posts

265 months

Saturday 26th August 2006
quotequote all
Pick any HP or Epson in the price range.

mph999

2,778 posts

250 months

Saturday 26th August 2006
quotequote all
Just got an Epson R220, very pleased, only £70 ...

roy the boy

471 posts

251 months

Saturday 26th August 2006
quotequote all
I have a Canon Pixma IP5000 which I am very impressed with. thumbup

I particularly like the cassette for paper which keeps the dust off and it's ability to duplex. Also prints CD/DVDs too and packs up neatly when not in use. Cartridges can be obtained cheaply - very cheap if you go with non-Canon alternatives(I just bought 2 complete sets for £10 off ebay - 10 cartridges).

Which magazine reccommended them - best in test.

The current Pixma range is about £65-150.

ehasler

8,579 posts

313 months

Saturday 26th August 2006
quotequote all
Canon Pixma 4200 thumbup Cheap, excellent print quality (photo and normal), and does duplex too.

hut49

3,544 posts

292 months

Saturday 26th August 2006
quotequote all
roy the boy said:
Cartridges can be obtained cheaply - very cheap if you go with non-Canon alternatives(I just bought 2 complete sets for £10 off ebay - 10 cartridges).


I tried some generic cartidges off Ebay for my Lexmark Z55 and the print quality was sh*te. So I bought a branded Lexmark set (colour plus b/w) and printed the identical photos. Side by side they were as different as night and day. So now I use generic cartridges for general printing and put the branded ones in for photos when I want the best quality.

I also have an Epson Photo RX700 with scanner and this is excellent.

Phil Hopkins

17,123 posts

247 months

Sunday 27th August 2006
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My father who owns a few cartridge refilling and printer shops swears by Canon. The Pixma IP range are supposed to be one of the best value for money ranges available at the moment.

roy the boy

471 posts

251 months

Sunday 27th August 2006
quotequote all
hut49 said:

So now I use generic cartridges for general printing and put the branded ones in for photos when I want the best quality.


idea Probably a good idea. I am told that the original manufacturer inks are oil based and most compatibles are water based so there will be some difference in quality and longetivity.

The new IP4300 looks good - nice and black and shiney like my IP5000. Better looking than the IP4200 it's replacing in my opinion. Due on sale very soon.

Phil Hopkins

17,123 posts

247 months

Sunday 27th August 2006
quotequote all
roy the boy said:
hut49 said:

So now I use generic cartridges for general printing and put the branded ones in for photos when I want the best quality.


idea Probably a good idea. I am told that the original manufacturer inks are oil based and most compatibles are water based so there will be some difference in quality and longetivity.

The new IP4300 looks good - nice and black and shiney like my IP5000. Better looking than the IP4200 it's replacing in my opinion. Due on sale very soon.


That's true in most of the ultra cheap cartridges you see on EBay etc, they'll also knacker your printer head eventually. HOWEVER, if you use a decent compatible (or refilled original) from the likes of 'Cartridge World' you'll be fine. Interestingly most OEM cartridges are only filled to about 75% capacity. The figure is even lower on most Toners.

Robbing gits eh?

Zad

13,022 posts

266 months

Sunday 27th August 2006
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My HP1220 produces amazing results but seems to eat colour carts for breakfast. I was thinking about getting a cheapish Epson and running one of these for everyday block colour stuff where precise colour doesn't matter: http://svp.co.uk/products-solo.php?pi

Anyone else used a continuous supply system like that?