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My trusty old HP photo smart just died. So now I have to go out and pick out a new printer. Reading reviews on Amazon is an exercise in futility, since so many of them are fake anyway, and Amazons star system is based on some strange logic I can’t possibly comprehend. I haven’t found a single printer with what I would call good reviews on Amazon. I went into Best Buy and look at what they had in stock, and they all feel like they’re made of about $.25 worth of cheap flimsy parts.
I want a decent paper tray, the ability to print in black and white if my color cartridges are empty (that eliminates Epson completely), WiFi/usb connectivity, ink that doesn’t cost an arm and leg to replace, and a size that is something reasonable for the hone. Scanning and copying of course, so an “ all in one”. I’d gladly pay $200 for such a printer. But I don’t think anyone makes such an animal.
Why does no one make a decent printer for the home anymore?
I'm an HP fan but have you looked at Brother? They seem to have a big following and are what I would describe as a "Home Printer". Inkjets are not very good at anything except for printing photos. Have you considered a laser?
I've had decent luck over the years with Canon inkjets. No issues with using 3rd party ink, which is about half the price of Canon's. If I can get 5 years from a $100 printer there's not much to complain about.
I'm an HP fan but have you looked at Brother? They seem to have a big following and are what I would describe as a "Home Printer". Inkjets are not very good at anything except for printing photos. Have you considered a laser?
Color lasers are too pricey for home use. At least for me, certainly.
Color lasers are too pricey for home use. At least for me, certainly.
They are more and the toner is not that cheap BUT you can get generic toner (much less) and the printer is maybe a $100 more than your $200 budget. Since you will not be printing that much, the printer and toner will last a lot longer. You get what you pay for.
Color lasers are too pricey for home use. At least for me, certainly.
$200 or less if you just need a printer. $300-400 gets you the better multi-function ones.
Really it depends how much you print and what you print. Photo is injket, laser can't do photo quality at least on a consumer budget. If you're printing a few hundred pages a year, you'll never really recoup the cost a laser printer. If you're printing a few thousand pages a month it'll pay for itself in a few months. They don't actually make any money selling those $30 printers. They make it on selling the ink that runs out after a few hundred pages.
What I wish they made was a cheap color printer that didn't have the inkjet issues with screwing up with non-use.
The average person probably needs a cheap b&w laser printer (Brother, let's say) and then a cheap and rarely used color printer. The problem is that inkjet printers deal poorly with low usage.
I'm tempted to buy a Cannon PIXMA Pro-100 for $79 right now (one of the sales that happens now and again), but I'm certain it'll sit and I'll have to buy a new pack of ink every 8 months or so.
$200 or less if you just need a printer. $300-400 gets you the better multi-function ones.
Really it depends how much you print and what you print. Photo is injket, laser can't do photo quality at least on a consumer budget. If you're printing a few hundred pages a year, you'll never really recoup the cost a laser printer. If you're printing a few thousand pages a month it'll pay for itself in a few months. They don't actually make any money selling those $30 printers. They make it on selling the ink that runs out after a few hundred pages.
Yeah laser cost is just more than I can justify. And I want color, definitely. I don’t care about photos...if I want to print a photo I have it done at a store or online. SD card slot is also on my list.
I think I need to stop looking at Amazon. Their reviews are all awful.
in the last ten years i went thru two cheapo $30 hp printers...i ONLY print maybe once a week and either the ink would dry up or it would be the old wont print without color issue...i have since moved on to a refurbish brother laser b/w that cost all of $45 at online walmart...been working fine for a yesr or more and at 80plus percent toner level still..
I bought a Dell color multifunction laser about 8 years ago, still ticking away. Only about 6000 pages printed, and use generic toner refills exclusively. I think I paid $600 back then.
Compare that with the cost of multiple “disposable” inkjets and replacement cartridges.
I have one inkjet in the house for the kids and for photo printing.
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