Suggestions on a stand alone inkjet printer

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I want to buy an inkjet printer, but i don't need a multi-purpose one
that sends faxes or makes pictures, just a printer. Any recommendations
on brands and models? Thanks.
 
I want to buy an inkjet printer, but i don't need a multi-purpose one
that sends faxes or makes pictures, just a printer. Any recommendations
on brands and models? Thanks.
Click to expand...

You need to be more specific about what you want to use it for.

Just printing one or two things a week

Hundreds of business documents a day

Only photographs

CD/DVD printing

Any combination of the above, or thousands of other uses. I can
suggest the Canon IP4200 as a good general purpose printer, but other
models may be better for what you want to do with it.

Stay away from cheap printers, anything you save will be eaten up in
ink costs within a month.

--

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.
 
Thanks for your reply. It will be used more for leisure than anything
else, maybe 15 -20 copies a week. As i mentioned in my post, i don't
need a printer that has a fax or is capable of making photgraphs, just
a printer. Thanks again.
 
Thanks for your reply. It will be used more for leisure than anything
else, maybe 15 -20 copies a week. As i mentioned in my post, i don't
need a printer that has a fax or is capable of making photgraphs, just
a printer. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

If you are /just/ printing black and white text documents, then you
may want to look into getting a small b&w laser printer. That way you
don't have to worry about clogging or buying color carts that you
don't need.

--

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.
 
I'll probably print color pages too. I guess that rules out a laser
printer.> On 21 Jul 2006 11:56:36 -0700, (e-mail address removed)
wrote:
 
I'll probably print color pages too. I guess that rules out a laser
printer.
Click to expand...

Does not rule it out, unless you want to spend hundrads.

I own the ip5200, which is a step above the ip4200. Text is excelent,
color is quite fantastic, cost per page for black is in the
neighborhood of 3.2c//page. The cost of the printer is at the bottom
of the scale before ink prices increase, as in smaller volume higher
cost cartridges, and the price is reasonable to begin with.

Given your low volume though... do keep in mind the canons have
cleaning cycles with the volume spent based on how long you didn't use
the printer. You may seriously consider having your color pages done
at lab. The cost tends to be cheaper than printing at home with OEM
ink and you are not paying for wasted ink.

These cleaning cycles exist on other printers, more so on Epsons, less
so on HPs generally speaking.

The HP Photosmart 8050 might also be worth looking at. The black is a
little more than the canon, about 3.7c/page but it's a head on the
cartridge type. If the canon clogs, and you are out of warranty, think
either elbow grease or $80, about the cost of the printer. If a
cartridge clogs think $30 (#96 black) or $35 (#97 color) with ink.

I was perfectly happy with HP for years... and if it wasn't for manual
refilling and CD printing, i'd still own one.
 
zakezuke said:
Does not rule it out, unless you want to spend hundrads.

I own the ip5200, which is a step above the ip4200. Text is excelent,
color is quite fantastic, cost per page for black is in the
neighborhood of 3.2c//page. The cost of the printer is at the bottom
of the scale before ink prices increase, as in smaller volume higher
cost cartridges, and the price is reasonable to begin with.

Given your low volume though... do keep in mind the canons have
cleaning cycles with the volume spent based on how long you didn't use
the printer. You may seriously consider having your color pages done
at lab. The cost tends to be cheaper than printing at home with OEM
ink and you are not paying for wasted ink.

These cleaning cycles exist on other printers, more so on Epsons, less
so on HPs generally speaking.

The HP Photosmart 8050 might also be worth looking at. The black is a
little more than the canon, about 3.7c/page but it's a head on the
cartridge type. If the canon clogs, and you are out of warranty, think
either elbow grease or $80, about the cost of the printer. If a
cartridge clogs think $30 (#96 black) or $35 (#97 color) with ink.

I was perfectly happy with HP for years... and if it wasn't for manual
refilling and CD printing, i'd still own one.
Click to expand...

I agree, if one anticipates light duty and
especially if one anticipate periods of inactivity
(like several weeks), I would buy an HP. If other
HP are like my HP970 you will never have a clog.
 
What do you wish to do with your printer? Photos, art work, text?
Letter size, wider? How important is ink permanence, do you want to use
specialty papers or just bond?

Art
 
Since you are wishing an inkjet, I am assuming you want to have color
for text or illustrations or diagrams, is that correct?

Again, is permanence an issue?

Art
 
I have to agree. Inkjet printers are more costly to run, due to the ink
costs, and that they need to clean the heads using all the colors when
they do. Black toner is pretty much good "forever" and the printer
itself doesn't usually mind much being on and off, in fact some go in
heavy/deep sleep when left alone for a while.

Black and white laser prints are pretty much waterproof, as well, and
cost per sheet is low.

Art
 
Well, after thinking about it, i really don't need a printer for color
too, just black and white.. My main use will be for text, mainly for
leisure, but also for school. I don't want a printer with a scanner,
fax, or photograph copier capabilities. Just a printer. I don't want to
pay for features i will not use.I hope this clears up any confusion. If
a laser gives sharper print and is lower in costs than an inkjet
printer, then that's what i want.Thanks again to all.
 
I went to Best Buy and they had one stand alone laser printer- the Hp
1020. Any comments on this model?
 
I went to Best Buy and they had one stand alone laser printer- the Hp
1020. Any comments on this model?
Click to expand...

Cost per page on OEM toner is a tad high. $70 for 2000 pages. cost
wise one might consider the Samsung ML-2010 or the Brother HL-2040.
Do look at the cost of the toner, and the estimated page yields. What
might save you $20 in the short term might cost you $20 a pop extra for
the toner.

I can't remember if it was the HP 1020 or the hp 1013 laser I was 100%
unpleased with. One of those doesn't employ a fan for it's fuser so if
you print a large job it lowers the heat to the fuser and slows down
your printing to roughly 6ppm. Had a sister who picked up one in a
pinch, and I had to return it twice... and the folks at the store were
agast that we were trying to "print so much" with a laser.
 
The 1020 is a competent entry level laser. It has a life expectancy of
70-100,000 pages (my personal opinion, not necessarily HP's). Most parts that
will wear out in time are largely uneconomical to replace except for the paper
pick up roller and separation pad. The cost per page is quite high but that is
pretty standard for entry level laser printers, you will need to pay more for a
printer that has a lower page cost and parts that are economical to replace.
Quality is good, there is a slight curl to the pages but they flatten out well.
Overall for its price it is a good printer with a very small footprint, and is
very popular with small offices and home users.
Tony
 
Inkjet printers require more attention and maintenance than laser
printers. Black and white lasers are really almost maintenance free for
many years. Cost per copy is low, and permanent, tect is crisp, images
are screened and less so, and it is just black and white.

Color laser is more costly, and they use the same business model as the
inkjet, basically giving you the machine for the costs of the toner
cartridges at exchange to end up with them.

Color laser can product sharp text and OK color graphics and images.
Color inkjet printers with the right paper will surpass anything the
average home color laser will do.

If you don't need permanence, consider a Canon inject model in the
middle price range, as it will keep ink costs lower when you buy filled
cartridges, especially from the 007 model.

Art
 
I doubt that i will print out more than 30 pages per month, so cost per
page isn't a factor.
 
I doubt that i will print out more than 30 pages per month, so cost per
page isn't a factor.
Click to expand...

At least with lasers, this probally would not be an issue. But if we
are talking inkjets, the new canon line costs there and abouts of $78
to replace the entire set of cartridges, and it's not like you "can"
run them empty. I lack accurate data on how long a set of cartridges
lasts on the new canons for light users, but based on info from friends
one can expect to burn through a set of cartridges once or twice a
year, including color, even if you print no color. Now this isn't
trully horrid, but the fact remains that while you are shelling out
only $18ish for the black, and this information is correct, there is an
extra $60ish for no obvious benifit other than printing color once and
a while. This is why I would lean tward the HPs with the head on the
cartridge, worst case is you'll ignore the cartridge too long and seek
replacement for the $35 range, and actually get something for $35.

At least with lasers you can think in terms of cost per page no matter
how long the printer sits.

Now, also there is the capacity of the cartridge the pritner comes with
Brother HL-5240 for example costs $170, roughly $100 more than the
HL-2040, but claims to have a full cartridge. Whether that's the
TN-550 or the TN-580 i'm not sure, but if it claims to come with a full
one, and you are only printing 30 pages a month, you can buy the
printer, and not have to worry about toner for years. Further, you'd
shell out $70ish for the OEM toner rated at 3500 pages, which is about
what you'd expect to spend for the other models for more. This is
assuming the TN-550 toner. The TN-580 IIRC is double the capacity.

The hp 1020 from my understanding comes with a full cartridge as well.
 
At least with lasers, this probally would not be an issue. But if we
are talking inkjets, the new canon line costs there and abouts of $78
to replace the entire set of cartridges, and it's not like you "can"
run them empty. I lack accurate data on how long a set of cartridges
lasts on the new canons for light users, but based on info from friends
one can expect to burn through a set of cartridges once or twice a
year, including color, even if you print no color. Now this isn't
trully horrid, but the fact remains that while you are shelling out
only $18ish for the black, and this information is correct, there is an
extra $60ish for no obvious benifit other than printing color once and
a while. This is why I would lean tward the HPs with the head on the
cartridge, worst case is you'll ignore the cartridge too long and seek
replacement for the $35 range, and actually get something for $35.
Click to expand...

Another bonus is that HP's don't constantly cycle the color ink even
if you use only the black. You must, however, make sure that you set
your print preferences to 'black ink only' or it will use the color
tanks for greyscale.

Also, if you run the tank dry, as long as you leave it in the printer,
you can still print with the black, unlike Canons or Epsons where
you're forced to replace it, or the printer won't work. If you refill,
you don't have to worry as much about screwing it up, though HPs on a
whole are a bit more complicated to refill than other brands (they
can't make 'empty carts' due to patent issues)

Canon still is a better deal if you /are/ using lots of color, as 3
color tanks will run in the $35-40 range, at 13 ml of ink of tank,
that's like getting a 39 ml color cartridge, while most of the HP
color tanks run about $30 and are only 14 ml/4.6 ml per color.
At least with lasers you can think in terms of cost per page no matter
how long the printer sits.

Now, also there is the capacity of the cartridge the pritner comes with
Brother HL-5240 for example costs $170, roughly $100 more than the
HL-2040, but claims to have a full cartridge. Whether that's the
TN-550 or the TN-580 i'm not sure, but if it claims to come with a full
one, and you are only printing 30 pages a month, you can buy the
printer, and not have to worry about toner for years. Further, you'd
shell out $70ish for the OEM toner rated at 3500 pages, which is about
what you'd expect to spend for the other models for more. This is
assuming the TN-550 toner. The TN-580 IIRC is double the capacity.

The hp 1020 from my understanding comes with a full cartridge as well.
Click to expand...

I know nearly all of the HP color lasers come with half-full
cartridges, I had been wondering whether or not the black and white
ones do as well. I'll have to look into this.

--

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.
 
Fenrir said:
Canon still is a better deal if you /are/ using lots of color, as 3
color tanks will run in the $35-40 range, at 13 ml of ink of tank,
that's like getting a 39 ml color cartridge, while most of the HP
color tanks run about $30 and are only 14 ml/4.6 ml per color.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure canon is a "good deal". Hps are rather efficent, you
can't simply count the pages based on voume. Besides, the new
cartridges are "more". $13.50 each on a good day and there is the
black which seems to be used more than before. We are talking $40.5 to
$54 for the 4 color tanks, with and without small black respectivly.
 
Fenrir Enterprises said:
Another bonus is that HP's don't constantly cycle the color ink even
if you use only the black. You must, however, make sure that you set
your print preferences to 'black ink only' or it will use the color
tanks for greyscale.

Also, if you run the tank dry, as long as you leave it in the printer,
you can still print with the black, unlike Canons or Epsons where
you're forced to replace it, or the printer won't work.
Click to expand...

Actually most of the recent HP inkjet printers (at least those with the
56, 92, 94 or 96 back cartridges) are designed to work even with the
color (or black, but not both) cartridges removed. If you only print
black the color cartridge can be removed or never installed in the first
place. This applies to the DeskJet and Photosmart single function
printers the printer/scanner/copier products typically require both
cartridges to be present, but as noted above you can use an empty color
cartridge in the HP models. Note that the HP products with separate ink
supplies and printheads are similar to the Epson and Canon printers in
terms of needing to have all the colors and black installed.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, MS MVP Printing/Imaging
 
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