Recommend me a high-end inkjet or a low-end laser printer

[bgeh]

my old printer has just gone kaput.
so now i'm on the market for a $200-$300 budget to get a new printer.

should i go laser or stay on with inkjet?
i know the pros and cons with colour and speed.

and one more question.
does the inkjet still have its clogging problems?
i know the inkjet will never be able to make that problem disappear, but i'm asking whether it has been improved?

TIA

 

[solrac]

I had the same thing happen to me. And I picked up a HP 8550. It was $299 buck the store had a $50 gift card if you got it and HP has a $50 rebate on it.

The key features I liked about it was
3 cartiage system
1-black
1-tricolor
1-photo enchanced cartiage

We print alot so having seperate cartiages is important so I can only replace the ink we use.

It also had cute features like an LCD, and the ability to read all portable media smart card, memory stick and etc.

I been thinking of picking up a color laser printer but they are to slow in comparison. And expensive.

 

[bgeh]

but my mum wants seperate catridges for seperate colours
does anyone have suggestions?
and my budget has been pushed up to $350

 

[techfuzz]

Originally posted by: bgeh
but my mum wants seperate catridges for seperate colours
does anyone have suggestions?
and my budget has been pushed up to $350

Go with Canon. Not only do they have seperate colors they use the BCi-3e ink wells which are like $5-$10 each. Much much cheaper than any HP offering IMO. I have the i850 that I just bought last week and I'm loving it. It only cost me $160 after a $30 rebate. I think they have a higher-end model than the 850 but this thing rocks as-is!

Going with laser it's going to cost an arm and a leg. We have a HP 4550 at work that goes through toner like there's no tomorrow. Plus you have to get fusers and drums which cost even more. Too many expensive pieces that need to be replaced too often. Stick with inkjet for home/home office use unless you're rolling in the dough.

Cheers,
techfuzz

 

[bgeh]

thanks, techfuzz
anyone else want to throw in their 2 cents?

 

[tenoc]

Why the dithering?

Either you need/want colour or you don't.

If not, Samsung and Brother have a good range of inexpensive lasers.

For colour, I agree the Canon range is probably the best choice for their separate tanks.

 

[SickBeast]

canon i850 is my vote.

cheapest ink, excellent print output, very fast.

 

[WalkingDead]

Canon i850. Got one for my dad. Due to its USB 2 connection and speedy print engine this printer is the fastest inkjet that I ever see. The 4 single color ink tank with no embaded chip will also save you a bundel in the long run. Btw, the print head is fully user replacable and it pops in the printer just like a ink cart..

 

[Shagga]

Originally posted by: techfuzz

Originally posted by: bgeh
but my mum wants seperate catridges for seperate colours
does anyone have suggestions?
and my budget has been pushed up to $350

Go with Canon. Not only do they have seperate colors they use the BCi-3e ink wells which are like $5-$10 each. Much much cheaper than any HP offering IMO. I have the i850 that I just bought last week and I'm loving it. It only cost me $160 after a $30 rebate. I think they have a higher-end model than the 850 but this thing rocks as-is!

Going with laser it's going to cost an arm and a leg. We have a HP 4550 at work that goes through toner like there's no tomorrow. Plus you have to get fusers and drums which cost even more. Too many expensive pieces that need to be replaced too often. Stick with inkjet for home/home office use unless you're rolling in the dough.

Cheers,
techfuzz

Canon S900. Best Inkjet out in my experience. 6 No. seperate ink cartridges 2 of which are photo ink. I have the S9000 which is the A3 version and have never looked back. Prints full A4 in full colour photo quality in 40 seconds and i quiet to boot.

 

[bgeh]

thanks everyone

 

[Savatage]

Just bought a Canon S520 here and am very pleased with it. This model is on the lower end of what your talking about but still. The seperate catridges are a big plus as well as the prices for replacement of the seperate catridges

 

[rugby48]

The newest Canon i950 is just hitting stores. It is a 6 ink printer and initial user comments from dpreview.com have been excellent. They had some posts that CompUSA had it in stock for $249.00.

 

[techfuzz]

Originally posted by: rugby48
The newest Canon i950 is just hitting stores. It is a 6 ink printer and initial user comments from dpreview.com have been excellent. They had some posts that CompUSA had it in stock for $249.00.

Yeah the i950 is the one I was thinking of. I knew it was a little more expensive but I didn't know they were using a 6 ink well design. Interesting... Oh well as long as my i850 lasts me a couple of years I'll be very happy with my Canon purchase.

techfuzz

 

[ProviaFan]

I like Epson for their good print quality and cost efficient ink usage, but they tend to be finnicky for some people; if it's going to work for you, it will work very well; otherwise you'll be swearing and vowing never to buy Epson again.

Nevertheless, HP's tend to have expensive ink cartridges, so I'd suggest that you go with one of the Cannon models that people here are recommending.

 

[Macro2]

Canon i850. $148 t0 $169 depending on where you buy it.
Separate ink "clear" tanks, refillable or cheap generic tanks. 2 picoliter, 4800 dpi. Rivals 6 cartrige printers.
It's very fast. 22 ppm black up to 13 color. This is Important.
If you do any any amount of printing forget HP.