Advice on printers

[acforfamily]

Hi, can anyone give some advice.

Have been looking for a printer - basically to print out stuff for my kid’s schoolwork / project.
Found a lot of quite cheap all-in-one printers (e.g. MP 145 ) going at around $120 but what I understand is that the key is the ink usage itself as the ink refills can be quite expensive. Have tried to google a bit for this but found nothing useful.
Has anyone bought this Canon MP 145 before and how is the ink usage?
Also, found that a lot of people seem to be selling them "brand new" at $80 or less - wonder why?

[Merlion]

Usually printer is given out as free gift when you buy computer during PC or Electronic shows. That’s why people are selling their "extra" new printer.

[winstonk]

For inkject printer, I am using HP brand. The difference is that for HP, the printer head is actually on the ink cartridge. So whenever you change a new cartridge, you are also changing the printer head too.


So is this important ? Other brands have their printer head in the printer itself. So when you change the ink cartridge, its purely replacing the ink.

When a printer cannot print, most probably its the printer head. Dirty, no regular cleaning or using compatible ink cartridge. Replacing the printer head will cost you probably as much as the printer itself (if no more warranty). My HP printer is already 7-8 years old and still going strong !

[csc]

I go for laser printer - using toner . It’s much cleaner. I have two at home. Samsung CLP 310 to do colour printing for children’s project with pictures.


A black and white printer - Xerox workcentre 3119 for normal photocopying and downloading of exam papers.

I am rather satisfied with the quality so far. We got them both from IT fairs which is coming soon in Sept.

[plum-cake]

acforfamily:

Also, found that a lot of people seem to be selling them \"brand new\" at $80 or less - wonder why?

ye nowadayz the printers are cheap but ink prices are very expensive.
consider your usage against the ink prices. I have hp2200

[BigDevil]

I don't like inkjet printers because your printout smudges when you get water on them.


I would probably go for colour laser printer but they :moneyflies:

[shurley197323]

Hi. What kind of printer do you use ? Any good recommendations ? My Canon mp160 had been faulty. And I was wondering to get HP ? Canon ? Brother or Epson ? Because I print a lot of photos at home so I need to save cost on ink cartridge. Been to courts & HN but still had no idea what to get ? :?

[thebusybee]

What types of pictures / sizes do u normally print? If 4R only mostly, I would suggest print them on photographic paper i.e. Kodak/Fuji, like HN’s Photo Centre charging 19cts during promo period or in large qty, 25cts if u sign up as member.


I personally think inkjet’s consumables are too expensive, it causes more wastage and frustration - imagine printing half page A4 ink run out -‘liao’ ink and paper. Also when paper jammed!:frustrated:

Just my view! Been thru done that.

p.s. alternative 4R printer is the thermal types like Canon CP 100 Dye Sublimation Printer. Cost around 35cts/pc.

However, for inkjet so far i prefer Epson’s, especially those 5/6 colors type, gives better image quality.

[shurley197323]

I prefer printing at home as I could create my own frames or photobook and print out scrapbook. Also my kids project. I got a HP photosmart A616 but cannot create myself .And now trying to buy another epson printer cause I thk the ink is the cheapest in town. Still not sure which model to buy. THks for your advice.

[UncleLim]

It may also make longer term sense to have 2 printers.


One laser printer - for black and greyscale normal document printing and your photo printer. At least you won’t waste precious inkjet ink printing normal documents. Laser printer toners can last 2000-3000 pages and they cost around $70-$100.