Printer,help me choose

[David]

Hi all Im about to get myself a new printer and have been looking at the Epson,but not sure.
What I am looking for.Would like it wireless,(not right up on the list)want it for usual stuff letters,and that.also photos.

I have suffered with Lexmark which to be honest have been good bu the refills are sometimes hard to get and expensive.Got a P4350 at present with card reader .scans reads copies etc

Without breaking the bank (Rik take note) any recommendations.

While Im at it.If I change my netgear 54 to one of 100 would it make any real difference..

Please I have watch threads and see you all love the 2 wire job,which may be beyond me to install.

So Im upgrading almost from scratch.New laptop and all sorts of toys so want to optimise things..my speeds are very good so its just a refurb.....thanks 

[Rik]

The best photoprinters are not brilliant at text, David, and vice versa. Do you want a multi-function, so that you've got a copier/scanner as well?

Changing the Netgear adaptor will have no effect unless the router is capable of supporting pre-N standards.

[David]

yes Rik I would need a multi task job,that said,its pretty rare nowadays to write and actually post a letter,the main thing is to copy documents like receipts which I need paper duplicates and the odd letters as long as the text is good Im ok with that.I use my pc has a card reader so this isn't really needed.
Is that any clearer?

As for the N in router...Rik hello..its me..N to me is  .

Rereading what you have just posted,I am thinking will a change of router and adapters have any real effect.

sorry,

[Rik]

Hi David

I don't advise the use of pre-N routers, as the standard has not been ratified yet and, until it is, you may be buying a pup, and interoperability between different makes of equipment isn't guaranteed. N is just the next letter in the chain from the present 80211.g, 54Mbps wireless and, no, I don't know what happened to H-M.

For the printer, take a look at:

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=245866&CatId=1430
£109.26 - wired network connection, good for text and scanning, OK for photo printing

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=293200&CatId=1430
£183.29 - wired network connection, better for photo-printing

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=256877&CatId=0
as (1) £89.29

Misco won't necessarily be the cheapest source, but it will give you an idea. Wireless networking seems to be out of fashion atm.

[David]

2nd one looks very good,ticks all the boxes.looks good.....hmm (its in stock as well) 

[Rik]

I'm very pleased with my Canon, David, and it's way better at text than the Epson ever was.

[David]

It looks very very nice Rik,but so far I have the laptop,warcom,router (on list) monitor is still alive...ok just finished a new bathroom.....Im pushing my luck...all Wendy says is"if thats what you want" love her 

[Rik]

Can I send you my wish list for approval, David?

[David]

You can send it,but might get more than a groan and it wouldn't be from me.

Wendy is brilliant though she really isn't at all up on these things,only just got her to practice sending Emails but as long as the bank isn't dented too much,she is fine with it,although its the same the other way...I think its called sharing......and we have down to a fine art....

[Rik]

Same here, David, but I'm lucky in that Sue likes to surf and is into digital photography...

[Noreen]

Does Sue come here, Rik?

[Rik]

She never has done, Noreen, though she is a member - though that's so that I can log in as a normal member to see the forum as others see it. Sue's not a forum sort of a person, if you know what I mean.

[john]

Sue's not a forum sort of a person, if you know what I mean.

You mean she's got a life then, Rik 

[Rik]

Exactly.

[john]

I got an all in one printer as part of the deal when I bought my Dell laptop about a year ago. It works well enough but I believe it's made by Lexmark and the cartidges are not cheap. I understand there's a mod you can make to either the printer or the cartridge so you can use Lexmark ones instead of having to buy even more expensive Dell ones.

I don't think it's as good as my old Canon printer, which used individual colour catridges but it's more convenient.

Ideally I'd like an all in one wireless printer that just did black and white and basic colour, probably a colour laser might be more cost effective to run. If I want any photographs printed I take them to one of the shops that do it as they're much cheaper and if I had to do a lot then I think a dedicated photoprinter would be better.

Lexmark seem to be the only printer manufacturer who charge reasonable prices for wireless models though.

[Rik]

They make it back up on the cartridges though, John.

[john]

Too true Rik,

Here's an article from the BBC News about them 4 years ago but the situations not changed much.

However I'm also concerned about this as I worked for over a year in a small room with a laser printer 

[David]

I got an all in one printer as part of the deal when I bought my Dell laptop about a year ago. It works well enough but I believe it's made by Lexmark and the cartidges are not cheap. I understand there's a mod you can make to either the printer or the cartridge so you can use Lexmark ones instead of having to buy even more expensive Dell ones.

I don't think it's as good as my old Canon printer, which used individual colour catridges but it's more convenient.

Ideally I'd like an all in one wireless printer that just did black and white and basic colour, probably a colour laser might be more cost effective to run. If I want any photographs printed I take them to one of the shops that do it as they're much cheaper and if I had to do a lot then I think a dedicated photoprinter would be better.

Lexmark seem to be the only printer manufacturer who charge reasonable prices for wireless models though.



Lexmark on the surface are good value I have had 2 but the cartridges range the cheapest colour I have see is Asda at around £16 for colour and £16 for black..other places add up to £5.have tried generic but keep getting the message that printer recognizes not a lexmark product,still works and I ignore it.I did try the injection kits from Argos,horrible job and to my surprise work very well,good for printing sheet music.but now getting into photography and with my Lexmark the prints are lousy so I need to change it.my daughter will get this one for all her homework and pictures she loves to create,,I am leaning towards Canon.

[Rik]

However I'm also concerned about this as I worked for over a year in a small room with a laser printer 

Plus there's the ozone emissions which can cause irritation, John. The worst printers, in my experience, are the ones which allow you to top up the toner from a bottle/container. In that respect, I like HP lasers with their 'single cartridge' approach.

[Rik]

I am leaning towards Canon.

Lexmark inks are, imo, totally unsuitable for photographic use, producing very warm images. I've used Lexmark, HP, Epson and Canon inkjets, and the Canon produces by far the best image quality imo, David, though I do recommend using Canon paper and inks for best results (also use Adobe RGB as the colour space).

[john]

Plus there's the ozone emissions which can cause irritation, John. The worst printers, in my experience, are the ones which allow you to top up the toner from a bottle/container. In that respect, I like HP lasers with their 'single cartridge' approach.

It was about 10 years ago Rik and have not noticed any ill effects as yet. I think the printer that's not far away from me may actually be the same one but we are now in an open office. It's a HP LaserJet 5000DN.

I've always found this company quite good for replacement cartridges : Choice Stationary

[Rik]

Their prices seem quite competitive.  I tend to use PhotoGlossy/MX2, but these look about the same sort of level.

[David]

Lexmark inks are, imo, totally unsuitable for photographic use, producing very warm images. I've used Lexmark, HP, Epson and Canon inkjets, and the Canon produces by far the best image quality imo, David, though I do recommend using Canon paper and inks for best results (also use Adobe RGB as the colour space).

Thank Rik to be honest I don't want to buy twice and you really do know what you are talking about so will take the plunge and follow your advice regarding the paper.Lexmarks photos were so bad I stopped using that feature 

Did you notice I actually edited that last one...getting there slow but sure 

[Rik]

Did you notice I actually edited that last one...getting there slow but sure 

Yes, but you left an extra [/quote] on the end. 

[David]

Yes but I didn't say I had arrived....just getting there.

[Rik]

 

A karma for your efforts then.

[David]

Yes but I didn't say I had arrived....just getting there.

There done it 

[David]

I thank you... 

[David]

I'm very pleased with my Canon, David, and it's way better at text than the Epson ever was.

Just found one £99 refurbished full warrenty money back if not satisfied ? Canon M970

[Rik]

Is it a discontinued model, David?

[David]

No Rick checked double checked same one as the link all spec is same picture and specs same,just refurbished

[Rik]

Odd. I Googled it and drew a blank...

[David]

its hiding Rik 

[Rik]

Found it. No networking though.

[David]

You little sherlock you.networking ,is that important Rik

[Rik]

Personal preference, David. I like to have one printer at least that works straight off the router, so that it's available to any machine that's on the LAN. The rest I hang off my main machine, and they are available when that's on, which is most of the time.

[David]

Its only for me though Rik

[Rik]

In that case, it's fine without. You can make it a shared printer, and then install it to other machines if you find the need.

[David]

I just love a bargain.....5% for you on that site isnt it Rik 

[Rik]

Which site, David? If it's Misco, you can get an extra discount by going through Quidco.

[David]

what is quidco ?
sorry if Im late in replying using IE7 seems better than FF

[Rik]

It's a weird cash-back scheme, David. Perfectly legitimate, but I don't understand why merchants sign up to it.

http://www.quidco.com/

[David]

Just reading this good link looks promising 

[Rik]

I've never used it, but everyone seems to rate it - the discount on Sky is particularly good. What I don't understand, though, is why any merchant gives cashback through a third-party site.

[David]

Low discount for larger share of the market worth the small percentage given away.bit like the theatre bums on seats.?

[Rik]

Or an offset for saved advertising costs? I don't get it, but you will get the cashback, though I do believe it takes a little while to come through.

[David]

Better in my pocket than thiers,every little helps 

[Rik]

What are you going to buy with it?

[David]

Debit card Rik,credit card is emergency only  (like a new pc) lol

[Rik]

I was just thinking you'd have spent the full sum, so you could apply the discount to some other purchase...  (Don't forget to order a USB cable if you don't have spares. Chances are it doesn't ship with one.)

[David]

Is this a universal type Rik,although they are £3.99 and you cant have too many

[Rik]

It should be a standard A/B USB cable, David.

[David]

Thanks Rik you will get your reward in heaven,I prefer mine down here 

[Rik]

I do OK down here, David.

[David]

Ditto,think we are back to out wives and co 

[Rik]

Indeed we are, David.

[Simon]

I'm very happy with my Brother DCP-330C multi function printer which I got just before Christmas on Inactive's recommendation.  The offer for that one has finished now, but it's still available from Ryman and Ebuyer, as is this one, which looks flasher and is slightly cheaper.

[David]

That looks good Simon are the cartridges as costly as Brother ?

[Simon]

It is a Brother, David.  Compatible or branded cartridges available from Choice Stationary, who I have used and would recommend.

The thing I like about the Brother, is that the paper feed goes in the front, so it could sit on a narrowish shelf, without the need for headroom for the paper.

[Rik]

HP's tend to front-feed too...

[David]

I just love to front feed Rik 

[Rik]

Me too.

[David]

I looked at that Canon on Amazon,and although I really like this machine the seller didn't inspire me enough with his reply to an inquiry and this isn't a CD so decided to be cautious and let that seller pass.but still hunting.... and will revise yesterdays items....I don't mind a refurb,but he had no backup just said if it was faulty to send it back for a refund.so I think I will stick to established retailers.just in case 

[Rik]

I certainly would, David. Over its life, the cost of the printer is quite small.