Cost-effective printer recommendation?

U

usenetdg

I have an HP printer, probably bought in 2001 or so. I think it's a
940c. It's been a nice printer, but I am about to need to replace
both the black and the tricolor cartridges and realize I could
probably get a new printer for just a bit more than those cartridges
would cost.

What would be some good printers to look at? My issues would be:

- low cost, especially for ink and supplies, but also for the printer
itself
- reliable (never have had a problem with whatever the HP printer was
that we have)
- pretty small footprint in all dimensions
- decent quality and speed (any speed would improve on what we have
right now

We're a pretty paperless household, so don't print much. Mainly
school reports, a lot more black ink than color. We never print
photos on the printer.
 
T

Tony

I have an HP printer, probably bought in 2001 or so. I think it's a
940c. It's been a nice printer, but I am about to need to replace
both the black and the tricolor cartridges and realize I could
probably get a new printer for just a bit more than those cartridges
would cost.

What would be some good printers to look at? My issues would be:

- low cost, especially for ink and supplies, but also for the printer
itself
- reliable (never have had a problem with whatever the HP printer was
that we have)
- pretty small footprint in all dimensions
- decent quality and speed (any speed would improve on what we have
right now

We're a pretty paperless household, so don't print much. Mainly
school reports, a lot more black ink than color. We never print
photos on the printer.

You might consider an entry level laser if you can live without colour. The
advantages are that they are slightly cheaper per page to run and will never
have print head problems.
Look at the HL-2040 or similar. Much faster and good quality output.
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging
 
W

Warren Block

I have an HP printer, probably bought in 2001 or so. I think it's a
940c. It's been a nice printer, but I am about to need to replace
both the black and the tricolor cartridges and realize I could
probably get a new printer for just a bit more than those cartridges
would cost.

A new printer would probably come with mostly-empty "starter"
cartridges, though.
We're a pretty paperless household, so don't print much. Mainly
school reports, a lot more black ink than color. We never print
photos on the printer.

Pricewise, just buying refilled ink cartridges for the current printer
will probably be hard to beat.
 
S

sherwindu

Just be wary of the printers that automatically shut you down if any of the
color
cartridges are near empty. Your color cartridges will dry out with time, even
if
you don't use them.

Sherwin D.
 
M

measekite

I have a similar printer being an HP990Cse that I do like although the
paper handling is not great. I also have a Canon IP4000 printer. The
current offering is the Canon IP4300 and that is even better with longer
lasting ink.

Here is the difference. The Canon (current model has been as low as
$59.95 after rebate on sale at Frys) has both a top sheet feeder and a
cassette. I use the cassette for standard paper and the sheet feeder
for photos and envelopes. It also has duplex printing. The printer
comes with 5 individual carts so you only replace what is needed. I pay
around $9.00 a cart but the new ink costs about $11.00 a cart.

The HP has a better draft mode and the normal print mode is very
slightly better on plain paper but it would be difficult to see the
difference. The Canon is faster. Printing odds sizes and envelopes is
far better on the Canon.

If I had to choose just one of the two printers it would be Canon.
 
M

measekite

Warren Block wrote:

[email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:



I have an HP printer, probably bought in 2001 or so. I think it's a 940c. It's been a nice printer, but I am about to need to replace both the black and the tricolor cartridges and realize I could probably get a new printer for just a bit more than those cartridges would cost.



A new printer would probably come with mostly-empty "starter" cartridges, though.


False!!!!  The Canon IP4300 comes with a full set of carts.






We're a pretty paperless household, so don't print much. Mainly school reports, a lot more black ink than color. We never print photos on the printer.



Pricewise, just buying refilled ink cartridges for the current printer will probably be hard to beat.

That is a mistake.
 
J

John

measekite said:
I have a similar printer being an HP990Cse that I do like although the
paper handling is not great. I also have a Canon IP4000 printer. The
current offering is the Canon IP4300 and that is even better with longer
lasting ink.

Here is the difference. The Canon (current model has been as low as
$59.95 after rebate on sale at Frys) has both a top sheet feeder and a
cassette. I use the cassette for standard paper and the sheet feeder
for photos and envelopes. It also has duplex printing. The printer
comes with 5 individual carts so you only replace what is needed. I pay
around $9.00 a cart but the new ink costs about $11.00 a cart.

The HP has a better draft mode and the normal print mode is very
slightly better on plain paper but it would be difficult to see the
difference. The Canon is faster. Printing odds sizes and envelopes is
far better on the Canon.

If I had to choose just one of the two printers it would be Canon.
Why would he want to go to the lengths of buying a colour inkjet
printer, when he only needs to print black text? Especially when an
entry level laser will do his jobs.

John.
 
F

Frank

John said:
measekite wrote:
Why would he want to go to the lengths of buying a colour inkjet
printer, when he only needs to print black text? Especially when an
entry level laser will do his jobs.

John.

John, meashershithead is a canon inkjet troll. And he's a known idiot
who also happens to be a moron.
In other words, pays absolutely no attention to anything he says.
Frank
p.s. he's also a jackass
 
J

John

Frank said:
John, meashershithead is a canon inkjet troll. And he's a known idiot
who also happens to be a moron.
In other words, pays absolutely no attention to anything he says.
Frank
p.s. he's also a jackass

Thanks Frank and I hope the original poster who wanted recommendations
realises that too.

John.
 

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