Community Forums

336muffin · 10-08-2012, 07:57 PM

I did a search before posting and came up in the 2009 time period. Things have changed a lot and we need a compact printer and probably a copier. We have a HP now but it is huge and Ink thirsty. Time to upgrade, photo capability is not needed. Any suggestions?

Buford B · 10-08-2012, 08:08 PM

I use Consumer Reports. Check at your local library.

Muddypaws · 10-08-2012, 08:10 PM

I've had the worst luck with HP Printers and the best with Canon.

That being said: They are all pretty much the same. It's classic 'razor blade marketing'. They will just about give you a printer in order to capture your ink business. Ink is liquid platinum.

Given that it's for your RV you probably want one that uses the most common and easiest to find ink carts. That would be HP 96, 97, 99.

Always print in draft quality unless you're sending out a resume or something. Never ever unplug a printer without first powering it off with the power button, that leaves the ink nozzles open and it 'will' leak out. I've seen dozens of printers ruined this way. And several yards of corporate carpets.

Wayne M · 10-08-2012, 10:03 PM

I have had exceptional results with Epson and Lexmark. Epson, so I have been told, made the first printers for Radio Shack computers to hook up to. They have been around a long time.

The biggest feature now is the wireless capabilities of some of the printers. You can set it anywhere out of the way and print to it.

Most are now printers, copiers, and fax, and most all are photo ready. Many are under $100.

Do your research.

TXiceman · 10-09-2012, 06:19 AM

I have had great luck with Lexmark and Brother printers. Right now we have a Brother Laser printer (never a problem) and will need to replace it with a smaller printer to full time in the RV.

I gave up on the color injets....to expensive to operate and the color cartridge would dry out before I used it again.

Ken

IMDSailor · 10-09-2012, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muddypaws

That being said: They are all pretty much the same. It's classic 'razor blade marketing'. They will just about give you a printer in order to capture your ink business. Ink is liquid platinum.

If they priced fuel for the space shuttle the same as printer ink, it could never afford to be launched.

My printer money goes to Epson, all I've ever owned way back to the ribbon days.

tncruiser · 10-09-2012, 06:32 AM

i use a kodak printer less than 80 bux and ink is CHEAP have had it about a year noooooo problems
brianj

njs42 · 10-09-2012, 06:48 AM

Read some reviews head to Costco, Best Buy any big box store and they will have enough there to wear you out looking. We like HP but our needs are greater than yours.

Finding a good compact reliable printer is a snap, too many to chose from is the problem. Spin the bottle at name brands, go for size, features and reputation and take your pick. Then raid your IRA for ink money.

TXiceman · 10-09-2012, 06:50 AM

HP ink jets have always been the most trouble for me. But the HP office laser printers are real work horses.

ken

TheArnolds · 10-09-2012, 07:05 AM

I have a new model HP wireless printer/scanner. It is small, light weight, and able to print/scan from our iPad as well as our computer. It fits nicely in an overhead cabinet so it is out of the way until needed. All inkjets can be ink hogs but what do you do if you need a printer on the road as I do for work.

Asking what is the best printer is like asking what is the best MH

TramDogs · 10-09-2012, 09:23 AM

Having 10+ years in print & graphic design experience, I will probably lean towards a multi-function color laser printer for our full time use. It will cost a little more, but there's usually more savings in toner cartridges vs ink jet. (Not to mention that toner doesn't "dries out" or leak if handled incorrectly.) So I'm looking at Oki, Xerox, Brother.

FWIW, during a stint selling printers, I learned that HP's cost more to operate than any other printer on the market. They may be cheap to purchase, but that's where the savings end. (This was the case a few years ago, and I'm not sure if they've changed their philosophy, but I'd definitely do my homework on cost of use before buying an HP.)

All that being said, as I'm researching my personal needs, I still run across a few ink-jets that get my interest. As others have posted, epson is always a good pick, and I just ran across this particular printer that might be a good fit for your needs.

Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4540 All-in-One Printer

EPSON WorkForce Pro WP-4540 All-in-One Printer - Product Information - Epson America, Inc.

Lots of good reviews and it looks like you'll get a decent printer with a ton of features for a decent price.

For me, my criteria includes:

Wireless
Duplex
Quality Print Output
Ink/Toner Cost
Decent Speed
Paper Capacity
Print/Scan/Copy Features

I'll also make sure the printer I'm purchasing can print envelopes, various weights of media, etc. as I'll be producing sales and marketing materials for my company while on the road. (But these may be more requirements that you'll have.)

Hope this helps...

336muffin · 10-10-2012, 09:52 PM

Thanks and I appreciate the answers from everybody.

bukzin · 10-10-2012, 10:06 PM

[QUOTE=TramDogs;1334427]Having 10+ years in print & graphic design experience, I will probably lean towards a multi-function color laser printer for our full time use. It will cost a little more, but there's usually more savings in toner cartridges vs ink jet. (Not to mention that toner doesn't "dries out" or leak if handled incorrectly.) So I'm looking at Oki, Xerox, Brother.

FWIW, during a stint selling printers, I learned that HP's cost more to operate than any other printer on the market. They may be cheap to purchase, but that's where the savings end. (This was the case a few years ago, and I'm not sure if they've changed their philosophy, but I'd definitely do my homework on cost of use before buying an HP.)

All that being said, as I'm researching my personal needs, I still run across a few ink-jets that get my interest. As others have posted, epson is always a good pick, and I just ran across this particular printer that might be a good fit for your needs.

Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4540 All-in-One Printer

EPSON WorkForce Pro WP-4540 All-in-One Printer - Product Information - Epson America, Inc.

Lots of good reviews and it looks like you'll get a decent printer with a ton of features for a decent price.

For me, my criteria includes:

Wireless
Duplex
Quality Print Output
Ink/Toner Cost
Decent Speed
Paper Capacity
Print/Scan/Copy Features

I'll also make sure the printer I'm purchasing can print envelopes, various weights of media, etc. as I'll be producing sales and marketing materials for my company while on the road. (But these may be more requirements that you'll have.)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

What is meant by 'duplex' ?

Thanks