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Which printer?

Kingsly

Kingsly

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Aug 9, 2005
3,389
14
Either in front of a computer or behind a camera.
I am purchasing an iMac soon and already ordered the MBP. I want to take advantage of the $100 printer rebate w/ a new mac option but don't know which one to get.
I want to stay in the $100-150 range.
So far I like the Canon PIXMA iP4200
Anyone have this printer? Like it?
have any other suggestions?
 
Get the Canon PIXMA iP4200, you won't be sorry with that choice. I have the Canon iP6600D, before that the Canon i960 as well as the Epson R300. I like the Canons the best for my printing needs (photo, some art) and couldn't be happier with the quality.
 
Most printers are pretty much the same. Some have scanners and coppers built in. Those are useful. If you want a decent printer and a decent scanner, you should consider getting an "all in one" models.
Otherwise, cannon makes pretty good printers. I haven't any complaints about them. :)

If you want a cheaper alternative, and don't need color, you should consider purchasing an Etch-a-Sketch. Just make sure you don't make any sudden movements when your transporting your documents. ;)
 
Eniregnat said:
Do need color? Are you printing mostly text? What do you want the printer to do?
Click to expand...
Uhh, yeah. It helps If I say what Im using it for.
1)Documents (90-120 page scripts...)
2)Occasional iPhotos

I would really like a copier feature, but don't have that kind of money to spend.
Out of curiosity, which of the Canon printers (price is not an issue) that is eligible for the rebate would you suggest?
 
I know your lookign for Canon suggestions, I didn't find any in my building. So I can't get you any information, but here are some thoughts.

I am not one that believes that all-in-one solutions are the best tool for everybody. If your writing manuscripts and that's your bread-and-butter, then I would think about reliability and cost/page. I would go with something like the Brother HL 2040 or 2070. You can replace the toner separately from the transfer drum, the toner is relatively inexpensive, and it is possible to purchase toner from "toner pirates." You think about a photo printer for your photo needs, and a monochrome laser for your document needs. I have a Brother HL-1440 and I am happy with it.

C-net article on Pixma IP42005-cents/page seems light for an ink jet printer. Color ~19cents pp graphics, 30 cents/4x6 print.

Review for Brother HL 2040-2.4 cents per page.

Something else to think about is the cost per page. I narrow your choices to 3 and search Cnet and ZdNet for reviews. I wish I could help more. Pick up a good Canon, perhaps the Canon PIXMA MP13, which does do copying and scanning. The Epson Stylus CX4800, is also and all in one with a 100$ rebate on Apple. Multi-function printers tend not to do everything well.
 
Thanks for all your advise.
I had an Epson all-in-one and it died within a month. On the other hand, I had an HP deskjet 970 and it lasted a good five years with no problems. Sadly, it died last week in a horrible explosion involving a jar of pickles and a herring.
[actually, it made a grinding noise and shut down]
 
Kingsly said:
Thanks for all your advise.
I had an Epson all-in-one and it died within a month. On the other hand, I had an HP deskjet 970 and it lasted a good five years with no problems. Sadly, it died last week in a horrible explosion involving a jar of pickles and a herring.
[actually, it made a grinding noise and shut down]
Click to expand...

The herring made a grinding noise and shut down? .wav here
Pickels explode ? (see question 8)

All of the HPs in my office are good work horses, all the the new Dells, suck- mostly because I can only buy toner from Dell.
 
I have had an HP for about 2 years now.
And it hasn't exploded! :D But, wanting to be on the safe side, I incurred my house against exploding printers, herrings and pickle jars.
Thanks for the heads up! :)

Do you believe in spontaneous human composition?
 
I always buy inkjets and then always regret the purchase. I have a Canon too, and i560, and I think its better than most. Still, its an inkjet, the cartridges run out, the ink smears sometimes, it gets jammed in weird ways, pictures make the page soaking wet, etc. Every time I run into problems, I always wish I had bought a laser instead. Don't make my mistake, just get a frickin' laser.
 
tristan said:
Don't make my mistake, just get a frickin' laser.
Click to expand...
Laser printers are also frickin' expensive. :p
There not very good at color pictures.... :mad:
But if you need to print a couple hundred black and white text documents, a laser printer is for you! :D
 
Eniregnat said:
I would go with something like the Brother HL 2040 or 2070. You can replace the toner separately from the transfer drum, the toner is relatively inexpensive, and it is possible to purchase toner from "toner pirates." You think about a photo printer for your photo needs, and a monochrome laser for your document needs. I have a Brother HL-1440 and I am happy with it.
Click to expand...
I looked at the Brother 2070n today at Staples. I didn't care for the paper curling. I would have bought it, if not for the curling issue.
 
i have a Canon Pixma MP780, and have fallen in love with it.

My company bought it for me to use, and it has been flawless. Granted most of its life (98%) has been text, and I print a few color items at low res. But it has been reliable and predictable with great paper handling. I need to plug it into an AP Express and see how it does, but I couldn't be happier.
 
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