Need to buy a new printer

[Drdogface]

I know you guys know all the new stuff so I decided to tap the well to find the best buy/model for my uses.

I have a Mac and used to do a bit of photo printing but it got too expensive to buy ink so I want one that will have fewer cartridges to replace but still print stuff in color...just not photo quality.

I have always bought Epson in the past but not locked into that brand if there are better ones for the money and durability.

Some weeks ago I heard that Kodak, I think, came out with one that had cheaper ink but Kodak is going under, it seems, so that may not be a good choice. Might not have anyway for that matter...

Thanks in advance for suggestions...

[red-beard]

I like the Dell Color Laser printers. I just bought the Dell 1355cn Multifunction Color Printer to replace my 3115cn, which I moved to my new office. The 3115cn can do duplex, the 1355cn single sided. They also make a wireless version, 1355cnw, which can be installed anyplace in your house.

[id10t]

+1 on the color laser... HP or Dell (buy as a small business from dell higher quality parts and american tech support)

[stomachmonkey]

Laser

[Drdogface]

Thanks guys. I always thought Lasers were mega bux but I'll look.. This is just my home personal Mac.

Ooops...one more issue. Laser P's still take ink so is that expensive as my Epson 6 cartridge inkjet... or worse ?

[porsche4life]

Color laser is cheap these days, and well worth it....

[RWebb]

"Laser P's still take ink"

you mean toner?

[rsNINESOOPER]

Whatever you do stay away from HP printers. criminals. I have had 5 machines and they all sucked. Ink usage, user interface, and hardware/software issues such as wireless interface failures.

Do a little online research and you will find all sorts of issues with HP machines

I have also owned and used many Epson printers and had great reliability and results. When issues arose I got good support from Epson. I currently have an Epson photosmart which is now 2 years old and it still cranks out perfect images.

[Drdogface]

Randy, yeah, I guess I do mean toner. Never had a laser printer before. I just read some reviews on the Dell mentioned above and they are not good for Mac. Lots of things seem not to work on Mac so I'll go back to Epson I guess...but will find one that does not cost me so much in ink.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Drdogface

Thanks guys. I always thought Lasers were mega bux but I'll look.. This is just my home personal Mac.

Ooops...one more issue. Laser P's still take ink so is that expensive as my Epson 6 cartridge inkjet... or worse ?

The printer (1355cn) I'm suggesting is around $299. The 4 pack of toner cartridges is around $265. But you will replace the black one more often. The cartridges are good for 2000 pages.

They also make a printer only Color Laser version for $149 (the 1250c). It uses the same cartridges.

Toner doesn't dry out if you don't use the printer too often. On my large format ink printer, I swear I change the ink everytime I use it...

[Scuba Steve]

A color laser printer for $149??? Where?

We rarely print so I've been reluctant to continue investing in ink cartridges that always seem to dry up. But when we need to print, of course it's really needed so off we go to get another cart...

[PFFOG]

Originally Posted by Drdogface

Randy, yeah, I guess I do mean toner. Never had a laser printer before. I just read some reviews on the Dell mentioned above and they are not good for Mac. Lots of things seem not to work on Mac so I'll go back to Epson I guess...but will find one that does not cost me so much in ink.

I had the same experience with Epson printers, great print quality, but you go broke buying Ink. I have an HP now and am VERY happy with ink costs, and print quality (7000 wide) It has separate ink cartridges, so you don't have to throw out good ink, because one color is empty.

[GH85Carrera]

We have a color laser printer for bond paper printing and it is great. The toners do't ever dry out and clog and force you to replace them. It does great for the light duty we need it for.

For photo quality we have a 64 inch wide printer that has 8 different ink cartridges that are 700 ml each (25 oz) It is the Epson 11880. No wonder Kodak is bankrupt with a printer like that Epson. It makes prints that are better in every way over a silver based photographic print.

[fuelie600]

I hate printers and buying ink.

I tried Kodak when they first came out with their cheap ink story. I only used the printer until the first cartridges ran out, then pitched the whole thing. IMHO it sucked. Noisy, temperamental, and only fair print quality.

Recently tried the HP Officejet 6500. The printhead died on the 3rd page printed. Returned and bought another, it died on the 1st page. Returned and decided to forget HP.

My latest is the Epson Workforce 645. Was on sale at Amazon for $99. Had is about 1 month. Have printed around 500 sheets with it so far. I am still on the original cartridges. It comes with #126 cartridges, but can use the high capacity #127s. The whole family is happy with the speed and quality. We use it from Windows7, WindowsXP, Macbook Air, iPad, etc. It supports native printing from IOS devices, Does double sided, makes copies, has a document feeder and WIFI. Good printer, so far...

Good luck with your search.

[Head416]

I will never own another ink jet printer.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

We go through tons of paper at work. Xerox laser machines are old and break down at bad moments but they keep running. The HP is brand new, goes through TONS of toner, is SLOW, and is making noises at about five months old.

At home we have Canon printers and like them. New one is about six years old. Ink does not dry up while in machine (see HP for a demonstration). One Canon is from the mid '90s. We have trashed two HPs in the time frame leading up to buying the Canon. One was free.

[dennis in se pa]

B&H Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Camcorders

I buy from these people. Great prices. Quick shipment.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by PFFOG

I had the same experience with Epson printers, great print quality, but you go broke buying Ink. I have an HP now and am VERY happy with ink costs, and print quality (7000 wide) It has separate ink cartridges, so you don't have to throw out good ink, because one color is empty.

I've had the same HP multipurpose 5610xi for years. Long enough that I can't begin to remember what I had before. I use it in my business and it's never missed a beat.

I recently got a new HP 5510 for my wife's computer. It's not a business machine, but for home use we've been very happy with it. The wireless printing is cool as you can print from a phone or iPad on the network or just e-mail a document directly to the printer.

[jyl]

We've had good luck with Brother lasers. Have a B&W multifunction and a color printer-only. You can refill toner with pretty good success.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Scuba Steve

A color laser printer for $149??? Where?

We rarely print so I've been reluctant to continue investing in ink cartridges that always seem to dry up. But when we need to print, of course it's really needed so off we go to get another cart...

Dell 1250c Color LED Printer