Printer Buying Guide

  • Thread starter Thread starter Paul L
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Paul L

Hi,

I would really like to get some help with purchasing a new printer. Can
anyone please recommend a printer buying guide.

I have seen the CNET website, which has been helpful, but I would really
appreciate a second opinion!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

- Paul.
 
Paul L said:
Hi,

I would really like to get some help with purchasing a new printer. Can
anyone please recommend a printer buying guide.

I have seen the CNET website, which has been helpful, but I would really
appreciate a second opinion!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

First

- Give some general informatioj of what type of printer you have in mind for
others to know what kind of advice suites your needs.

a. If you want good printer, cheap to operate, don't need colorful then
mono laser printer is a good way to go.

b. If you have $$$ to burn, want to print fast good looking color then
Color Laser printer is nice to have.

c. If you want to print in color but don't want to go for laser then
Inkjet printer is the way to do.

d. The next step is if you want inkjet printer but don't want to spent lot
of $$$ on ink then do some research on inkjet printer with 3rd party
ink available which may bring the price down to 1/4 to 1/6+ of the
generic ink

- CNET gets paid to do and print the review which often for their benefit
not the benefit of end users. The only way to take advantage of computer
magazines' review is the general information. Then GOOGLE for detailed
information
Thank you.

You're welcome

Joel
 
Joel said:
First

- Give some general informatioj of what type of printer you have in mind
for
others to know what kind of advice suites your needs.

a. If you want good printer, cheap to operate, don't need colorful then
mono laser printer is a good way to go.

Hi Joel,

I currently have a HP PSC 1210 all in one (multi function with
Scanner/Photocopier) printer.
I currently enjoy the capabilities of this machine, although I would like to
have a colour printer that prints borderless photos. I don't print photos
often, I would just use it to print out my photos from my overseas trip, but
I would primarily use the printer for document printing, ie, pages from the
internet, and the occasional resume.

b. If you have $$$ to burn, want to print fast good looking color then
Color Laser printer is nice to have.

I don't want to spend mega bucks for a printer. I would consider buying a
printer anywhere from $150 Australian dollars anywhere to $300. I just want
a printer whereby the ink is quite affordable, and the cost of ink doesn't
cost me an arm and a leg when I have to buy a new cartridge.
c. If you want to print in color but don't want to go for laser then
Inkjet printer is the way to do.

Would a laser printer print good quality general photo prints as compared
with an ink jet printer?
d. The next step is if you want inkjet printer but don't want to spent lot
of $$$ on ink then do some research on inkjet printer with 3rd party
ink available which may bring the price down to 1/4 to 1/6+ of the
generic ink

I will have a look at e-bay for some 3rd party ink. Again thanks for the
advice.
- CNET gets paid to do and print the review which often for their benefit
not the benefit of end users. The only way to take advantage of computer
magazines' review is the general information. Then GOOGLE for detailed
information


You're welcome


Joel

Thanks again!

- Paul.
 
Paul L said:
Hi Joel,

I currently have a HP PSC 1210 all in one (multi function with
Scanner/Photocopier) printer.
I currently enjoy the capabilities of this machine, although I would like to
have a colour printer that prints borderless photos. I don't print photos
often, I would just use it to print out my photos from my overseas trip, but
I would primarily use the printer for document printing, ie, pages from the
internet, and the occasional resume.

Multi-funtion Laser printer could be handy which I always have, but
multi-funtion inkjet printer seems little too expensive for me (I am talking
about the price of ink).
I don't want to spend mega bucks for a printer. I would consider buying a
printer anywhere from $150 Australian dollars anywhere to $300. I just want
a printer whereby the ink is quite affordable, and the cost of ink doesn't
cost me an arm and a leg when I have to buy a new cartridge.

I dunno know anything about the price and what available in Australia, but
here in US you should be able to get a good Photo inkjet printer for under
$100-120 or so. In general, for photo quality it seems like most people go
for Epson Photo Printer (they have different series from home use to
professional use), for people who worry about ink clogging and I think HP
print TEXT little better than Epson, then HP is the one as the printer head
is built-in ink cartridge instead of printer.

I am Epson printer and don't have ink clogging issue, but my grand kids
did ruin 2 of my older Epson printers (they printed hundreds of pages
without ink).
Would a laser printer print good quality general photo prints as compared
with an ink jet printer?

Much better quality, much faster, and much cheaper. The toner would last
thousands of pages (depending on the size it can be up to more than 10+K), I
think the drum can last to 20-40K pages. Toner can be refilled up to 2-3
times and the bottle of toner may cost around $10 (around 2 refills).

And depending on the type of laser printer, it can be as little as around
$70 to around $200-300 average (up to over $1000+ for office use.). We have
couple <$100 for personal use, and $250 multi-funtion for network use.
I will have a look at e-bay for some 3rd party ink. Again thanks for the
advice.

You can get even cheaper 3rd party ink from GOOGLE than e-bay. And quite
often I find many eBay users fighting to see who pay more for less, when
they can get a cheaper price from regular online store.

Yes, I am eBay user but I won't waste my time on eBay unless I can save
1/2 to 1/3 the regular price.
 
CBFalconer said:
In addition laser printers are naturally (and thus cheaper for)
pure black and white output. Color adds complications and
expense. Either color or black/white lasers avoid the clogging
when idle symptoms of inkjets.


Wow, so many opinions about Printers. I believe that the ultimate set up
would be to have a photo dedicated Printer with the inkjet Cartdridge for
superior performance, and have a Laser printer for the pure black and white.
The only thing is, that the taking up of space in my study would be really
frustrating for that setup, also the usb ports are slowly getting filled up.


Hmmm, I the mentioning of Epson by Joel for colour quality has really
sparkled my interest. The last 2 printers of mine have been HP's and
despite the fact that I have not had any issues with them, I think that I
will definately have a closer inspection of what Epson have to offer in
comparison to HP.

Hmm so many options! This weekend may bring me to the local shopping centre
and I'll look into some options.

Thanks for all your help!

much appreciated.
 
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