Need a printer recommendation

M

MurderCityDevil

Gawd
Joined
Dec 6, 2007
Messages
724
I need to buy a printer for light to medium use at home. I'm a student and don't exactly get excited about throwing down tons of cash for something like a printer, I'd like to keep it around the 100 dollar range max - free shipping and instant rebates/MIR are a plus. I really do not print very much at all, so a simple inkjet would be fine. I don't print photos but I do want the ability to print in color. My biggest concerns are price, how much I'll need to spend on ink, and how the printer looks. I want something compact and preferably black or silver. Basically something that's reliable, doesn't require me to refill ink very often, and only does the basics. If you guys could help me find something on newegg that would be great - I searched around but every single printer on there has terrible reviews so I'm a bit skeptical.
 
How about this one? The Canon PIXMA IP4600

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828102317

I've got the model that came out before this one, the IP4300. Its got the same basic specs, it can really spit out black text pages, and high quality photos are quicker to print than you'd imagine, even prints on printable CDs if you buy the tray on ebay for $10 and install the European English drivers. One feature of particular note is the built-in Duplexer - a SUPER feature for a printer in this price range that many tend to overlook.

I've owned inkjets from numerous other manufacturers over the years and in my mind Canon has the best output and the best software. Price per page (PPP) is definately competative, but I can't quote a number.

Some discontent some people have with the unit I have and the new IP4600 are:
1. Doesnt' come with a USB cable.
2. The printer occasionally spends a long time cleaning it's heads.

Well, its $89.99 (I got mine for 69.99), for a color photo printer that can do 25ppm+ and duplex and print photos that look like they came from a photo store - what the heck to people expect? Yes, it is an inkjet, and clean heads are VERY important to print quality, and all inkjets have these delays. So until you can afford a color laser, you're stuck with it.

This Canon MFC might not be half bad either:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828102258

Different print heads than the IP4600, so the photo output might not be as good and the PPP may suffer as well. I'm a KISS kind of person when it comes to cheap electronics though, I worry that this many features at such a low price might distract it from it's main purpose for taking up space in my office - printing.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
thanks for the replies guys...i'm looking at the canon pixma ip2600. seems like the higher model numbers are only more expensive because of either ppm rates or photo-specific features, neither which concern me. it's only 50 bucks too... too bad there's no free shipping.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top