Need a new all-in-one

[TJ]

My HP PSC 2110 has apparently given up on me. The scanner won't
initialize when I power up any more. Looking at fixyourownprinter.com, I
see this is a common problem with these machines. Sometimes cleaning the
bottomside of the scanner glass will fix it, but this doesn't seem like
one of those times. So, I think I'm in the market for another
multifunction printer.

I want a MF because I like the convenience of making a copy without
firing up the whole computer system, like I'd have to do with separate
devices. I don't care about getting "best of breed" for these devices -
I'm buying a printer, not a dog show contestant. I just want something
that works.

Priority 1 is that it has to be fully functional with Linux. This is a
deal-breaker. HP is probably the best supported brand when it comes to
Linux, but others will work, too. I also want ink cartridges that are
easy to refill - chipless, if possible. The 2110's #56 and #57 carts
couldn't have been much easier to refill. I don't want a printer that's
going to nag me to get OEM ink. Print longevity under adverse conditions
isn't important to me, as a rule.

I'd rather not get an Epson. As a brand, they clog too easily when not
used. This printer might sit for weeks without being used, then be used
several times a day for a few days, then sit again. I want a printer
that will be ready when I want it, not something I have to fool with
every couple of days. The printer will be a backup for my (now) main
printer, a Deskjet 5650, so I need both color and black. I'm not afraid
of used or refurbished - I haven't bought a new printer in almost 20 years.

Any suggestions?

TJ

 

[measekite]

My HP PSC 2110 has apparently given up on me. The scanner won't
initialize when I power up any more. Looking at fixyourownprinter.com,
I see this is a common problem with these machines. Sometimes cleaning
the bottomside of the scanner glass will fix it, but this doesn't seem
like one of those times. So, I think I'm in the market for another
multifunction printer.

I want a MF because I like the convenience of making a copy without
firing up the whole computer system, like I'd have to do with separate
devices. I don't care about getting "best of breed" for these devices
- I'm buying a printer, not a dog show contestant. I just want
something that works.

Priority 1 is that it has to be fully functional with Linux. This is a
deal-breaker. HP is probably the best supported brand when it comes to
Linux, but others will work, too. I also want ink cartridges that are
easy to refill - chipless, if possible. The 2110's #56 and #57 carts
couldn't have been much easier to refill. I don't want a printer
that's going to nag me to get OEM ink. Print longevity as well as print quality
under adverse conditions isn't important to me, as a rule.

and that is why you do not use the best OEM ink.

 

[TJ]

and that is why you do not use the best OEM ink.

I should have asked for constructive suggestions. All I got from you was
a couple of feeble attempts at insults. I see you didn't recommend some
Canon model or another. Why not? Was it the Linux support issue, the
desire to refill, or that I was open to used or refurbished?

TJ

 

[TJ]

My HP PSC 2110 has apparently given up on me. The scanner won't
initialize when I power up any more. Looking at fixyourownprinter.com, I
see this is a common problem with these machines. Sometimes cleaning the
bottomside of the scanner glass will fix it, but this doesn't seem like
one of those times. So, I think I'm in the market for another
multifunction printer.

I want a MF because I like the convenience of making a copy without
firing up the whole computer system, like I'd have to do with separate
devices. I don't care about getting "best of breed" for these devices -
I'm buying a printer, not a dog show contestant. I just want something
that works.

Priority 1 is that it has to be fully functional with Linux. This is a
deal-breaker. HP is probably the best supported brand when it comes to
Linux, but others will work, too. I also want ink cartridges that are
easy to refill - chipless, if possible. The 2110's #56 and #57 carts
couldn't have been much easier to refill. I don't want a printer that's
going to nag me to get OEM ink. Print longevity under adverse conditions
isn't important to me, as a rule.

I'd rather not get an Epson. As a brand, they clog too easily when not
used. This printer might sit for weeks without being used, then be used
several times a day for a few days, then sit again. I want a printer
that will be ready when I want it, not something I have to fool with
every couple of days. The printer will be a backup for my (now) main
printer, a Deskjet 5650, so I need both color and black. I'm not afraid
of used or refurbished - I haven't bought a new printer in almost 20 years.

Any suggestions?

TJ

Looking at the Linux foundation OpenPrinting database, it looks like HP
is the only viable option if I'm to use Linux. Others have limited
support, most often for the printer part only.

So, HP it is, then. I see lots of HP all-in-ones on Ebay and other
places. It just remains to choose the right one...

TJ

 

[measekite]

Based on my experience with a Canon MP780 I would recommend their
latest 8XX series printer. You will lose ink monitoring with the
CLI-8 cartridges

That is a bunch of crap. If you use the machine according to the manual
you will not loose anything.

but they are easy to refill. My MP780 has been flawless for over two
years being used in a home office. I hope it lasts several more years
as it does everything I need quite well. Plus, it uses BCI-6
cartridges that I can pick up for $1.50 each shipped to my door.

Another lie. Canon BCI-6 carts are around $10.00. You must be buying crap.

 

[Don Phillipson]

Looking at the Linux foundation OpenPrinting database, it looks like HP
is the only viable option if I'm to use Linux. Others have limited
support, most often for the printer part only.

So, HP it is, then. I see lots of HP all-in-ones on Ebay and other
places. It just remains to choose the right one...

I bought a Brother DCP because it was on special: and was
then very pleased that its scanner was so much faster than
Epson CX models. (Don't yet know about consumables.)
Brother reports it is now developing Linux drivers, see
http://solutions.brother.com/linux/en_us/

 

[OG]

Michael Johnson wrote:

That is a bunch of crap. If you use the machine according to the manual
you will not loose anything.

Except a fortune in paying for ink.

Another lie. Canon BCI-6 carts are around $10.00. You must be buying
crap.

Where's the lie? You pay 7x what he pays for ink - he's happy - you're
happy. It is not necessary to pay vintage brandy prices for printer ink.
Most of what we print is ephemeral anyway.

 

[measekite]

Except a fortune in paying for ink.



Where's the lie? You pay 7x what he pays for ink - he's happy - you're
happy. It is not necessary to pay vintage brandy prices for printer ink.
Most of what we print is ephemeral anyway.

Please understand this: If the guy pays a cheap price and gets the crap
that he pays for and is happy that is ok. If someone else pays a lot
more and gets a better product that is ok also. You just cannot compare
the two. They are not the same thing. You did not save any money. You
spent less and got less in one case and in the other you spent more and
got more.

What gets me is that some posters say they saved money when they did not
and they will not admit the facts. They want to drown in
rationalization to make themselves feel better about what they did but
they will not even admit that.

 

[measekite]

Personally I have a couple of HP Photosmart 2610's that I use. They
use the #96/97 cartridges, similar to the 56/57 but have higher
capacity. The Officejet 7310 or 7410 are also good units, like the
2610 but with automatic document feeder. The 7410 will automatically
make double sided copies in standalone mode, a feature that can be
handy at times. For these I recommend the duplexer, standard on the
7410 and optional on the others. These are all print/fax/copy/scan units.

He is an HP employee. Factor that in when ever you read his posts.
Everybody knows that Canon makes the best printers in this class. As
for separates it is better to get an Epson scanner and a Canon printer.

 

[TJ]

He is an HP employee. Factor that in when ever you read his posts.
Everybody knows that Canon makes the best printers in this class. As
for separates it is better to get an Epson scanner and a Canon printer.

Precisely why I value his opinions in this matter. As far as I know,
nobody on this newsgroup knows HP printers better than Bob Headrick. And
if I recall correctly, he's an HP retiree, not an employee. Get your
facts straight. (Bob, please forgive me if that's not correct.)

As for Canon, it doesn't matter so much to me which printer is "best" in
this class if I can't use it as I want to. Remember my #1 priority? I
was chatting online with a longtime friend just last night who owns a
Canon Multifunction printer. I'm not sure which one - I didn't ask, but
he did say he bought it just six months ago. He says Kubuntu Linux will
operate his printer OK, but won't recognize the scanner. That's a common
complaint about companies that aren't particularly Linux-friendly. He
also complained about the ink cartridges. He doesn't use his printer
very frequently, and apparently the ink carts tend to dry up between
times, making the already much-too-expensive ink even MORE expensive.
That doesn't sound like something I want.

TJ

 

[TJ]

Personally I have a couple of HP Photosmart 2610's that I use. They use
the #96/97 cartridges, similar to the 56/57 but have higher capacity.
The Officejet 7310 or 7410 are also good units, like the 2610 but with
automatic document feeder. The 7410 will automatically make double
sided copies in standalone mode, a feature that can be handy at times.
For these I recommend the duplexer, standard on the 7410 and optional on
the others. These are all print/fax/copy/scan units.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, MS MVP Printing/Imaging

Hi, Bob. I was hoping you'd weigh in on this question. I will give your
recommendations considerable consideration if what I've just done
doesn't work out.

I fell onto a deal for a lightly-used Officejet 6110 yesterday. I guess
it's the Officejet version of the PSC 2110, isn't it? There are several
advantages to it for me, not the least of which is that it uses the same
cartridges as the PSC 2110. It also uses the same software CD, so I
don't have to go searching my guts out trying to find a driver for my
little-used-but-still-needed Windows 98SE installation. The ADF will
come in handy, too, as once in a while I have a desire to make a
legal-size copy and/or scan.

Again, thanks for the input. I was looking at some of the Photosmart
models, but I think the capabilities of an Officejet will be more useful
to me than the card and camera reader. I already have the capability to
download images into my computer, and there are few images that I would
want to print that wouldn't benefit from some editing with The Gimp
first. But, those newer Officejets do sound appealing, and as I said,
I'll look into them if this doesn't work out.

TJ

 

[measekite]

I don't know... I have heard HP makes some good MP as well as Epson.
And for scanners... A good Canon would be just as good as an Epson....
I have used HP scanners and some others and I am not as fond of HP
scanners. I have used Epson printers and I have to say I was always
impressed with them... but once they turned to the dark dark side and
made any 3rd party stuff illegal.

They were even better but still Canon with their patented CL8 inks that
are patented and not duplicated by fly by nites are even better.

... I dropped them and opted for an older Canon

good but the ink does last as long as the new Canon OEM ink

which I am very happy with.... using my NON-OEM 3rd PARTY CARTRIDGES

This poster is spending less money on ink but getting lower quality that
has a higher risk of fading and if you do not print a great deal has a
higher risk of clogging the printhead.

 

[measekite]

Precisely why I value his opinions in this matter. As far as I know,
nobody on this newsgroup knows HP printers better than Bob Headrick.
And if I recall correctly, he's an HP retiree, not an employee.

From a midset point of view it is the same thing.

Get your facts straight. (Bob, please forgive me if that's not correct.)

As for Canon, it doesn't matter so much to me which printer is "best"
in this class if I can't use it as I want to. Remember my #1 priority?
I was chatting online with a longtime friend just last night who owns
a Canon Multifunction printer. I'm not sure which one - I didn't ask,
but he did say he bought it just six months ago. He says Kubuntu Linux
will operate his printer OK, but won't recognize the scanner. That's a
common complaint about companies that aren't particularly
Linux-friendly. He also complained about the ink cartridges. He
doesn't use his printer very frequently, and apparently the ink carts
tend to dry up between times, making the already much-too-expensive
ink even MORE expensive. That doesn't sound like something I want.

You can let a Canon sit about a month without a major issue when using
OEM ink.

 

[TJ]

You can let a Canon sit about a month without a major issue when using
OEM ink.

That's probably true, if you don't call finding your ink carts empty
when you try to print "a major issue." Maybe *you* can go a month
without a problem. He can't.

The lack of Linux support was the deal-breaker, anyway. If Canon can't
be bothered with Linux, I can't be bothered with Canon.

TJ

 

[TJ]

Yes, the Officejet 6110 is based on the same printing platform as the
PSC 2110. The cartridge and software compatibility should be a good
advantage for your application. Personally I almost never need legal
size copies, although just last weekend I had to use an old K60 machine
because my 2610 did not work for legal size fax. The units I mentioned
would be a bit faster printing as the 96 printhead is about 50% larger
than the one in the 56 cartridge but the Officejet 6110 is a fine
unit. I do not recall if it supports a duplexer, that is one accessory
that I have become rather spoiled with.

Yes, a duplexer is a great thing. I bought one for my DJ 5650, and I
enjoy it very much. I expect to use the 5650 as my main printer for the
time being. The Officejet will do whatever copying and scanning I might
want to do, and act as a backup printer, ready to step in when the 5650
fails, as all mechanical things eventually do.

TJ

 

[TJ]

Yes, the Officejet 6110 is based on the same printing platform as the
PSC 2110. The cartridge and software compatibility should be a good
advantage for your application. Personally I almost never need legal
size copies, although just last weekend I had to use an old K60 machine
because my 2610 did not work for legal size fax. The units I mentioned
would be a bit faster printing as the 96 printhead is about 50% larger
than the one in the 56 cartridge but the Officejet 6110 is a fine
unit. I do not recall if it supports a duplexer, that is one accessory
that I have become rather spoiled with.

Very interesting. Much time with Google - far more than should have been
necessary - leads me to believe that the same duplexer I have for my
Deskjet 5650, the C8955A, will work with the Officejet 6110. I couldn't
find a listing for the proper duplexer on HP's site, I think because the
printer is no longer being manufactured. However, many sites list the
C8955A as being functionally the same as the C6463A, and are selling it
as a replacement for it. I found several long lists of compatible
printers, but few of them are the same. Some list the DJ 5650, most do
not. Even HP's listing of printers compatible with the C8955A is...
incomplete. But it works great for me. One or two list the OJ 6110, so I
think it'll work. When my printer arrives later this week, I'll have to
try it.

I find it sad that HP's site didn't have a complete list. It doesn't
speak well of them.

TJ