Printers

[xmanii]

Kinda surprised no one has asked about printers, but I didn't see any in the first 15 pages or so I looked at.

Currently I have a Lexmark X1185 all-in-one printer/scanner/copier, and am thinking of getting a new printer, but will be cheaper on ink usage. Any suggestions?
I plan on printing .pdf's mainly (D20 ones) but I don't really care how the color comes out, just as long as it is readable.

 

[Redrobes]

I have found that the Canon range is good because a) You get separate ink cannisters for each color so you only buy the one thats run out, b) The ink hasnt got any nasty chip lockout stuff in it so you dont get scammed when some arbitrary date passes by, and c) you can also get a replacement head for them too so if it clogs bad theres a get out clause which does not involve going to the landfill followed by shelling out for a new one.

I have had Epson's and HP's in the past and each have their good and bad but this IP4200 Canon is doing a much better job now. Prints like a photo every time - even after being off for a few weeks. Im pretty critical with printers (they do my head in the way they never work properly) but so far I have nothing to complain about at all with this one so im happy to recommend it.

I have a laser for B&W stuff which I got for a song and its also excellent. Thats an Epson but generally lasers print B&W stuff really well with minimal fuss. Its a bit old and bulky but it was a total bargain. Keep your eye out for one - they are definitely worth it.

Just as a complete side issue. I was measuring the power comsumption of all my plugs the other week and the laser was a real shock. Leaving it plugged in and in idle mode will cost a fortune in electricity ! They have a heater in them which I thought was off until you print but it appears that most lasers switch it on intermittently to keep the thing ready to print and its about 500W when its (briefly) on. - Before you ask tho, the Canon was really good at about 1W in idle.

 

[XCorvis]

If you're doing pdfs, get a laser. I hate ink jet printers. I'm never going to by one again. I have 4 of them scattered around my house. The ink dries out and clogs the head even before I get a chance to use the whole cartridge. It's more expensive to buy more ink than it is to buy a new printer.

Anyway, there are a few personal laser printers that seem nice, but you might be better off getting a gently used workgroup printer. The price is steeper up front, but your cost per page is usually lower. There are plenty of reviews around so just find one that seems to fit your intended usage patterns.

 

[Jarrod]

I really like my Canon inkjet, but I agree with the above post - get a laser printer for pdfs. The ink will be cheaper overall, it prints quicker, and will probably look better.

If you need color though and can't shell out for a color laser, go Canon. Individual tanks, clear plastic so you can see that they're empty... yeah. All good.

 

[caudor]

If you have the money, the Xerox Phaser series of printers are great. They used solid ink technology and produce laser quality. You just raise the top, drop in a cube of ink and you are good to go for a good while.

Back when I got my Phaser 850 DX, they promised me free black in for the life of the printer. I'm still getting my free black ink.

Anyway, they are pricey, but worth it.

 

[DaveStebbins]

I love my laser. I have a Konica Minolta PagePro 1350. One of the benefits for PDFs that I really love is the ability to print two readable pages per sheet of paper. Also, while it doesn't automatically duplex, it will rearrange pages so that all you have to do is take the pile of pages from the output tray and put them back in the input tray.

I currently print two-up and duoble-sided so I get four pages of a PDF on each sheet of paper. Laser printers are so crisp that it is still very legible.

Decent lasers only cost about $100 to $150 these days. Very much worth it.