Okay, I'm about to make a printer decision... any advice for me?

[MrMickeysMom]

I've had HP "4 in one" lines, which inevitably have feeding problems, and currently have Lexmark that communicates wirelessly to my MacBook Pro running 10.7.5 OS.

I'm almost afraid to get another HP, but I have a lot of campaigning double sided ink jet that I wish to do from my Mac. Honestly, what do you think creates the least havoc? I never expect a whole lot from printers, obviously.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

MMM

[cbayer]

1. No, but I will be most interested in what others say.

I just trashed yet another printer (an HP) and am stuck with those super-expensive ink cartridges. What a freaking racket.

My needs are much different than yours. I needs something very small and easily stowed. I would like it to be wireless. I need it very infrequently, but when I do, I don't want to have to make a big production of it. And I don't want to spend a freaking fortune on ink.

[Stinky The Clown]

2. We gave up on HPs. I have a two year old (what was then) top of the line Brother color all-in-one.

MFC-9970CDW

Uses 4 cartridges, each about $75. It has been absolutely trouble-free. The HP had slightly better color printing, but this one is just fine.

[MrMickeysMom]

5. Well, Stinky...

Given that I've done some research and see that the Brothers are rated highly, plus the fact that I posted this too close to when I'm headed out the door, I think I'm gonna see about the upgrade from the Brother 4 in one you mentioned.

I'm gonna look at -

MFC J6510DW (which should be on sale for ~229.00 ... OR
MFCJ6710DW (which is ~246.00, and I'm not sure what extra features I'll get for this)



THANKS!

[NV Whino]

3. Epson has always had cheaper ink

And I get it at Clinkinks.com to boot. But… the newer Epsons, in order to reduce the footprint, have copied HP's paper feed that goes around a roller before it hits the print heads. That means loading paper upside down. That also means printing both side in sequence is a pain in the ass. And it is damn near impossible to print a photo on heavy paper.

So no, I don't have a printer recommendation these days. I've grown to hate Epson.

[Festivito]

4. My favorite work printer is the copy machine.

Scans fast, prints large jobs, reliable paper handling / error handing, multiple sizes available, even separates and staples and it usually warms up by the time I walk over to get it. That and I can hear it start up and print.

I was a big HP fan for years, but, now, no, no way. Their programming stinks. Can't handle running out of paper from the keyboard. Installation is a menace. I have one at home used once every two years; by then the ink is dry and each copy ends up costing about $60. The work HP4, si, ... worked for a long while. But, I think they're all gone from the office.

I'm also tired of maintaining a desktop printer through paper changes and operating system drivers. I can see what I want with the screen, print only as needed.

Lexmark was always expensive for ink. I haven't had to price anything for years, so I don't know if they still run that way. My office likes it, we have two.

The off brands may have to try harder.

I was using a Lexmark printer/scanner/copier/fax at a job site. The feeder kept dying and it would start to function after a reboot. After close to a year, yesterday, there was a copy machine there and the Lexmark was off. Oh well.

[MrMickeysMom]

6. Thanks for all your comments!

I can relate to the frustration, for sure...

Let you know what I think later...

[Auggie]

7. What kind of documents are you printing?

I'm using an Epson Stylus Photo R1800 for my design business. I've had it since 2007 and it's been holding up pretty well.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

8. HorsePiss is not a choice I would recommend.

I had so much trouble, that I eventually bought a machine for more robust than I needed. Xerox Phaser served me well for 8 years before it coughed, apologized, and left this flat earth for Printer Heaven.

I have been using (heavily) a Brother MFP 9320 which has more than exceeded my expectations. The envelop handling, the stacked scanning (before I got a dedicated one) and the quality B&W printing was very satisfactory. Color? Not so much. The image was there, but the quality was fair, at best. Good enough for court exhibits, NOT good enough to make artwork.

Something about HP's printers - I have felt (and often read) that HP doesn't play well with Macs. From my experience, I would never return. HP does not put in a lot of R&D for Mac. That whole company is only concerned with Window dressing.

Having played with other models, any of the Xerox line is worth a look. Good quality, workhorse power, and the toners won't kill you. Brothers are also recommended. The best part is that Brother cares about its mac users, and their products interface solidly with Macs.

[Stinky The Clown]

9. Hear! Hear! on the point about Brother working well with Macs

And I completely agree that HP and Mac is a BAD marriage.

[RoccoR5955]

10. HP is junk these days

And you would be financially better off if you printed your pictures at a local kiosk, because inkjet ink is so expensive.
If it was me, I would find an old HP 4 series printer, or get a new Brother Laser that prints Black ONLY, for normal print jobs.

The problem with the all-in-ones is that if one function goes bad, there goes the whole thing.

[sir pball]

11. Re: printing pictures, that depends

On how much you print and what quality you NEED - if you print an awful lot of pictures, a high-end printer or a cheaper one with an aftermarket continuous-flow ink system is cheaper, and the quality of a good photo inkjet is the best you will find anywhere at any price...but for 98% of people a lab is a better choice.

Agree though, never an all-in-one; I have one but only because it was the cheapest I could get my hands on - I use an extraordinarily good dedicated flatbed scanner instead. Toying with the idea of a dedicated Epson photo printer but the ink on those isn't cheap ($80 for 6 tanks).

[robinlynne]

12. Epson is the best. hands down. I don't know the new models, have an older model.