i have zero knowledge of printers, only that im partial towards Epson...not much of an HP fan either

not willing to spend a lot as im operating on a budget, so figure less than $300...thx!!

 

Cannon and HP probably make the best for you buck. HP works friendly with any operating system. You can get a really nice laserjet for under 300. I have a HP office jet V40 (printer/scanner/fax) it it's pretty nice - i got it about a year ago for like 235 from staples or office depot.

i kinda don't like epson myself - their drivers cause os's to CRASH - i haven't seen it with Windows but on Citrix servers so i'm kinda biased

just on a side note: dell makes printers now - stay away

 

First,

What kind of printer do you need?

Black and white (Laser)?
General Purpose Color printer (Color Laser/inkjet)?
Real PhotoPrinter?

What is important for you?

Price < $300.
Speed?
Operating Cost?
Of course, quality of the output?

 

Nashua:

speed not THAT important...i'd b willing to sacrifice speed for quality (i currently own a dinosaur DeskJet 660C from '95, and it's pretty much finished)...as far as operating costs, ehhh, kinda neutral

so i guess im looking for EXCELLENT color quality with speed and operating costs less important...for less than $300

 

go get yourself a NEW Canon i960.It's just been introduced.
It has best color, fastest and should cost less than $200. I got a i950 ($250 MSRP) and the new i960 is even better!!

Then grab some Office Depot Premiun Glossy Photo Paper (8.5x11) and you are all set!

 

Canon I950
Simply one of the best printers for $300. I think they are still made, High praise from Cnet.com.

PS: I own one, simply phenomenal.

 

i recently got the epson stylus cx5200 for $120 after rebate ... its a scanner, copy machine, and printer all in one. The prints look incredible and the size is great

 

Go with Canon.

Epson - They are pieces of shit after a year or less.

HP - pretty much the same as epson

 

ive been through 3 different printers in the last year and a half and they all were absolute crap, especially the $350 lexmark we bought a few months ago that doesnt even work with my new comp, yet it worked on my old one (both comps have winXp), i had a hp printer about 7-8 years ago and i didnt have a single probelem with it for 6 years untill i dropped it as i was moving it and something inside of it broke, i hate printers!

 

I didnt know people were installing printers in their cars. ;] ;] must be something new

ink cost too much. try lazer

 

 

My vote goes for an HP. We set up an experiment at work several years back and bought equal numbers of HPs and Cannons and gave them to several savvy people. Then, after three months everybody traded. Also, everybody had to do their own install/remove themselves.

The HPs were preferred by 85% of the test subjects.

One thing you should know: color printers these days are sold at a loss in order to get to where the real money is, replacement ink cartridges. Back in 1990 (I am sure the cost is lower now) we did a study on color printers and the average ink cost was just about $10 a GRAM!

Another tip: When you printer says you are low on ink and to change the cartridge, ignore it. They just want to sell more ink

 

from my experience Cannon makes the best quality prints, but HP are the easiest to use/fix/install/etc. at my work we will not support ANY agency's or department's printer unless it is
HP. if they go out and buy it themselves and it aint HP, they're on their own

and completey right on about the refills -$$$ - in Fact my comment about staying away from dell printers was b/c of that - they have their own refills and nothing else will work and they're $$$

 

I would have to say HP is the best

 

HP 7550 Photo printer. Amazing print quality, has a card reader to print directly from digi memory card.

 

man if only other things were that cheap!

 

lexmark........................................... .........

best bang for the buck....

HP SUCKS.............

 

i sold printers at staples for 2 years, so i know alot. your best bet is to go to staples and get some advice. avoid future shop, they will try adn upsell you to something you dont need. you have a selection of over 20 printers at least for under 300$. it all depends on what you use it for.