Color Inkjet Printer Recomendations?

[jjonn3]

Well the crappy Epson has died - once again.

It seems like printers go for about a year these days.

So I am back on the market for a new printer.

I was looking at one of the new Epson Ink Well machines. Although I never find Epson last when they work they seem to do OK - but then someone told me that the Ink Well machines do not print color graphics as well as the cartridge machines because at least with the cartridge machines you are installing a new print head each time and with the Ink Well the heads go bad.

Anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks -

 

[72-Jay]

All inkjets are junk.
Get a laser!

 

[trinket]

Anyone have any recommendations?

Everyone's situation is a bit different. It can really depend on your usage pattern to find the ideal "sweet spot" - how frequently you print, and what kind of stuff you're printing (photos, primarily black and white documents, any envelopes, etc.) and the quality needs of the same. Recommendations for a 75-year-old grandma and her needs might differ from a 20-year-old college student's.

In general if you're a "pro-sumer" in this space or want to bypass the idiosyncrasies of inkjets - i.e. if you don't print often enough that you're constantly dealing with head/nozzle clogging, or if you do print often and the consumables cost of inkjet cartridges is getting too high - I'd agree with 72-Jay's comment:

All inkjets are junk.
Get a laser!

Then you don't have to deal with all this business in the below video. The inkjet/laser debate rages on everywhere (at least in tech circles)...

For color lasers, if you're thinking about a multifunction all-in-one device (so can take advantage of scan capability, fax if you need it, and walking up to it and using it like a photocopier), the Brother color lasers have always been solid performers for me. They have a pile of different model numbers, tend to issue a few new models/refresh the line every couple of years and with that, differences in duplex handling, speed, etc. (and some geared more towards home and some small workgroups/offices) but you can use "comparison" features at Brother's website or their Amazon listings to really drill down into what's different about each model. I'm actually thinking about picking up a model such as the MFC-9340CDW myself.

If you're not looking at a multifunction, the Brother color lasers as a standalone are pretty solid.

I know The Xerox Versalink color multifunctions also get some decent reviews, models like the C405 - though pricy (would have to be considered a bit of an investment in quality and getting years of use out of it) it's pretty well-reviewed on Amazon.

If your needs are more general and you're set on an inkjet, something in, say, the Canon Pixma line would be inexpensive and fairly decent for the price. You mentioned Epson in your post - I don't have any experience with them but hear conflicting opinions from some that their "Ecotank" line is actually okay, with Epson insisting that they've solved the clogging problem with infrequent printing - but others have had a miserable experience with them. Again, all depends on your usage patterns.


Inkjets:

 

[jjonn3]

Unfortunately a laser printer is not an option - what I am printing for requires ink jet according to the manufacture. Apparently there is a small degree of wax in laser printing that will cause problems.

I have also heard mixed reports on the Ecotank printers - it is heading in the right direction - but it is not there yet.

Printers now seem to be like Bic lighters - when they run out of ink just buy a new one!

 

[cityboy-stl]

OMG...I love it. That video is the total truth about printers.

 

[Michiko]

I worked for years in the printing business and I can tell you: inkjet printers, particularly home-oriented models, are a pain in the ass. Large-format ones are, too, but at least they're much easier to service. The key is using them frequently: if they aren't used often, their tiny nozzles clog, sometimes permanently.

If you absolutely require an inkjet printer, I always recommend the Epson Ecotank series. I don't know if they still manufacture the L355 but it used to be a decent machine. Refilling the tanks can be messy, but at least it won't ever complain about unrecognized cartridges.