printer/scanner

Baz · Feb 07, 2008, 13:15:49

looking for ideas or recommendations for a decent printer and scanner for my daughter who has a lot of art work to produce and wants good quality results. Am open to any ideas, stand alone models or all in ones, ink jet or laser etc. any info would be great.

I have had a Epson Stylus CX5400 all in one for some years and it always gave good results but may be a bit dated now so need to know what is in the market at the moment.

If you have any thoughts on all aspects of them, pros, cons, cost etc will be good. links welcome too on any sites for buying or reviews of good makes/ models

thanks in advance.

Baz

Inactive · Feb 07, 2008, 13:25:17

I have tried most makes Baz, my favourite is Brother All in Ones, cheap compatible cartridges readily available, I did list one in the Bargain Basement section on here, but I reckon the offer has now ended.

Rik · Feb 07, 2008, 13:30:05

I've had good results from HP, Baz, ideally go for a networking one, can be very handy!

Baz · Feb 07, 2008, 13:48:19

Hmmm networking ones eh? how do they work then. she does have wireless facilities on her lappy but ours at home always seems to take a while to print from our wireless lappy.

Never looked at Brother Inactive, they good are they. I too have always used compatibles for mine and the quality is good for what we need.

Thought about HP before getting mine but wasnt sure about them, it was a while back though.

Dont think I'll go for Lexmark as had one once and it was really expensive to run. It did speak to you though when the ink was getting low

Simon · Feb 07, 2008, 13:54:52

I would also recommend the Brother In referred to above.

As an aside, In, did you ever receive your free offer on registration? I asked for the label printer, but nothing has appeared.

Inactive · Feb 07, 2008, 14:06:10

I took the free 3 year warranty on this recent one Simon, but yes I have had 2 Label Printers from them in the past, they too a while coming tho'.

Rik · Feb 07, 2008, 15:17:48

Quote from: Baz on Feb 07, 2008, 13:48:19
Hmmm networking ones eh? how do they work then. she does have wireless facilities on her lappy but ours at home always seems to take a while to print from our wireless lappy.

Basically it hangs of the router, so to speak, Baz, and can then be used by any machine on the LAN. Very handy way to set up printers.

Quote
Dont think I'll go for Lexmark as had one once and it was really expensive to run. It did speak to you though when the ink was getting low

Lexmark are horrendously expensive to run, and their photo quality isn't, imo.

Baz · Feb 07, 2008, 15:24:26

thanks guys some good stuff there.

started looking at this http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/reviews/review.phtml/2794/3818/hp-photosmart-c8180-all-in-one-printer.phtml

what you think. If anyone has a HP model, or any make infact, what do you feel about the use of compatible carts. Theyve always been ok for me. Also, some of the info on printers Ive looked at state they include a cartridge described as 'introductory'......does this mean 'we havent put as much ink in here so you may print for about a day and then need to buy a new set'

Inactive · Feb 07, 2008, 15:28:59

Many printers come with so called " introductory " cartridges these days Baz, fortunately Brother come with full cartridges, many HP printers come with these half empty cartridges now.

I get my compatibles from Choice Stationery for around a couple of quid each delivered, very good, no problems at all.

I have used HP, Canon, and Epson before, the Brother is the best by a mile for my needs.

Have a look at Argos, they sell them.

Rik · Feb 07, 2008, 15:44:36

Quote from: Baz on Feb 07, 2008, 15:24:26
thanks guys some good stuff there.

started looking at this http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/reviews/review.phtml/2794/3818/hp-photosmart-c8180-all-in-one-printer.phtml

what you think. If anyone has a HP model, or any make infact, what do you feel about the use of compatible carts. Theyve always been ok for me. Also, some of the info on printers Ive looked at state they include a cartridge described as 'introductory'......does this mean 'we havent put as much ink in here so you may print for about a day and then need to buy a new set'

Take a look at this:

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=276653&CatId=1430

Higher spec, lower price, includes fax.

I've always used HP cartridges, myself. I buy them from Photoglossy. Using HP's draft mode, which is perfectly adequate for day-to-day printing, it costs me about £20 per quarter, and I do a fair amount of printing.

Baz · Feb 07, 2008, 16:15:23

looks good.

you know what kids are like, just 'talking' with my daughter online now and the story is guys, she is starting some work in schools and has recieved a grant to help with it and seems to think these models I have shown her are not good enough quality wise $:-\$ says she could spend about £400

Inactive · Feb 07, 2008, 16:18:52

Giver her a reality boot up the bum..

Rik · Feb 07, 2008, 16:19:16

She can spend a small fortune to buy the same product, it's just about knowing the best outlets.

Baz · Feb 07, 2008, 16:19:53

nice idea but shes in manchester and im not......you near there?

Inactive · Feb 07, 2008, 16:22:01

Nah, but I know a man who is.....

Malc, a boot up the bum required Manchester ASAP.

D-Dan · Feb 07, 2008, 20:22:09

I'm more than happy to recommend the Canon ip4300 printer - cheap to buy - compatible cartridges are cheap - and excellent results.

As for a scanner - I'm still a fan of Epson.

I wouldn't go for an all in one - if one part breaks down - it all breaks.

Oh - and I'm in Manchester - Aria are very good if she's looking to buy locally (mail order too).

Steve

Lance · Feb 07, 2008, 22:22:05

I have the HP C5180, and find it produces great quality and is built like a rock. Just like all HP prints new and old!

I only use HP inks, but find it very economical - one of the plus points of the 6 ink vivera system. The intro cartridges have a slightly different ink in them - something to do with being the first ink used with the printer. Not sure what the ink has in it though! Even running the intro cartridges, they still lasted a while.

I think the other brand worth considering is Canon, but I would personally have an HP.

Inactive · Feb 08, 2008, 01:25:07

Just shows, we all seem to have different favourite printers/scanners.

My old HP used to give good results but would regularly jam paper, and cost a fortune in cartridges.

My Canon suddenly stopped printing black, they sent a replacement, it did the same.

I now have 3 Brother All in Ones, all have been fine.

Rik · Feb 08, 2008, 01:27:56

I've only ever had a Brother daisy wheel, I've had Epson dot matrix and inkjets, HP laser and inkjets, Taxan & NEC dot matices, Canon photo inkjet, Lexmark inkjet and Sagem dye sub, plus a Seiko and now Dymo label printer. Only the Lexmark really gave me any grief, but I've heard bad stories about most brands. I guess it's down to luck.

Inactive · Feb 08, 2008, 01:44:24

Indeed Rik, and differing results from different models from the same maker.

Rik · Feb 08, 2008, 01:46:06

Often caused by the stock used - there's paper and there's paper. I always recommend what used to be Modo and is now M-Real. Low dust, low abrasion, good in any kind of printer.

Inactive · Feb 08, 2008, 01:50:04

Just checked my paper supply, Asda Copy Paper..

Rik · Feb 08, 2008, 01:54:58

See if you can pick up some M-Real, In. I think you'd like it. (But then I'm a bit hot on paper as well as fonts and backups.

)

Baz · Feb 11, 2008, 14:00:44

She has decided to go for the HP model mentioned earlier in this thread. From Ebuyer, also a combi pack of carts and paper. Will let you know how it goes.

Thanks.

Lance · Feb 11, 2008, 21:55:13

Hopefully it'll be fine!

Sebby · Feb 11, 2008, 22:33:59

Quote from: Inactive on Feb 07, 2008, 13:25:17
I have tried most makes Baz, my favourite is Brother All in Ones, cheap compatible cartridges readily available, I did list one in the Bargain Basement section on here, but I reckon the offer has now ended.

I second this. They're not the greatest in terms of quality, but they're good value, and even the genuine cartridges are quite cheap. They're very easy to setup, too.

Baz · Feb 15, 2008, 14:38:11

latest update on my daughters new HP printer.

Over the moon when it came on time from Ebuyer. Got a call from her on the night telling me about it and that she was going through setting it up but there was no USB lead in the box. Now I have heard of this before from some manufacturers not including leads and it really annoys me, but myself I have bought from other online companies and have had everything included. So all I could say was that she would have to buy one the next day......cost her £5.

The next day I got in from work and after stewing on it all morning thought to myself, s*d it and got on the phone to Ebuyer. (this is the first time I have actually used them, heard loads of good stuff so ...give them a go). Explained to the guy what had happened, I was online at the time so he said can I go to their site and look at the description of the model,I had already checked this just in case, can you scroll to the 'extra technical stuff' part and look at the 'Whats in the box' section. yes.

Well in there Sir, it says what you get, printer...DER!!!!!.... software, cartridges, power lead, etc. told me the bit about most manufacturers do this now, we are not opening boxes and taking leads out. Told him the bit that yes I understand you are not doing that but seen as I have paid £265 for a printer I expect to be able to use it, also that I have never experienced this from all the other places I have bought from and I cannot find in the description that it says you will need to buy a lead. He put me on hold for a while and came back and said they would send one out for me and yes it was a bit mis-leading (no pun intended there

) that it doesnt mention you will need to buy one anywhere on their site and they will be changing the description for similar items (havent done so yet though). Just before he went I said that you had been highly recommended and I was a bit surprised at this and wondered if any of there other stock items would be the same as I was looking to buy more things soon. He didnt know if that was the case or not.

So bit of a initial set back from my first Ebuyer purchase. And on top of it all when my daughter rang me she said it wouldnt install and she kept getting a message window saying something on the lines of usb port could not detect external device???

got me stumped at the moment and cant just pop round to fix it for her.

will see how it goes today. told her to uninstall it all, Some software is in there but no entry for the printer in C. panel etc, and try again and to follow the instructions exactly.

could it be a dodgy lead? is that possible?

Rik · Feb 15, 2008, 14:47:23

It's common industry practice not to supply a USB cable, Baz, and I don't think it's fair to pick on a retailer for that - it's the manufacturers who decide what to put in the box. My Laserjet, for example, didn't come with either an ethernet or USB cable, nor did I expect it to (I have a cable 'shelf' iac). Similarly, camera manufacturers often don't include a memory card these days.

The installation problem could be down to not following instructions exactly. These hydras are very fussy about doing things in exactly the right order. It's unlikely that a USB cable would be faulty, though it can happen. OTOH, if your daughter is trying to use a USB hub, that's much more likely to be the cause.

Baz · Feb 15, 2008, 15:04:40

Hmmmm strange though Rik.To me its like buying a car then getting it delivered to find out it has no engine. I bought my own Epson all in one about two years ago and that included every thing needed to use it. Ok I bought it from a fair, but the dealer has shop outlets too so it wasnt a one off, hadnt been open to add a lead...it was included. Thought the model I got was ok so pointed a mate to Amazon for the same model and that too had it all.

Got our son a Samsung camera for xmas and that too had a card included. Just looked around for the right deal. Unless I'm just lucky.

No usb hub Rik, straight from her lappy to the printer. Yeah the correct order thing may be the catch.she says her lappy has been slow lately but wont go take the time to 'tidy it up ' I said maybe she skipped a bit too quickly. you get the option of plugging it in when it asks or waiting till later, may be that. Dont know

Rik · Feb 15, 2008, 15:09:54

Hi Baz

Some manufacturers include cables and cards, some don't. My point was that's it's unfair to blame the retailers - as the man says, they don't go through boxes removing cables.

It's worth checking that the lappy can support the current drain of the printer, it's one case where a powered hub might actually help.

Inactive · Feb 15, 2008, 15:36:02

I have never had a USB lead with any printer that I have purchased, so it isn't just HP or eBuyer, I keep a stock of 49 pence ones, just in case.

I agree it is so annoying tho'.

As Rik says. I have found that if printers are not installed " to the letter " they play up, usually if the USB is connected to soon in the process.

I too have on occasions got a memory card with a camera, however, it was usually too little capacity to be of any real use.

Good luck with the printer.

Baz · Feb 15, 2008, 15:53:38

Quote from: Rik on Feb 15, 2008, 15:09:54
Hi Baz

Some manufacturers include cables and cards, some don't. My point was that's it's unfair to blame the retailers - as the man says, they don't go through boxes removing cables.

It's worth checking that the lappy can support the current drain of the printer, it's one case where a powered hub might actually help.

didnt mean it to sound that way, but it should be made clear too, IMO

powered hub Rik? as in a plug into socket power.Dont think Ive come across one of those

Rik · Feb 15, 2008, 16:03:11

Hi Baz

I read descriptions as saying 'no cable' unless it says otherwise, it's the safest way.

This is a typical powered hub. If you go for one, make sure it's USB2, not 1.1, dtr of 480, not 12 Mbps.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/57714