30 replies to this topic

[Maximus Decimus]

Hey guys,

I've been looking round for a new printer and I can't seem to find any consistent advice. If experience teaches me anything there's usually an expert on these forums!

Basically I bought a new Epson printer about a year ago and I hate it. I pretty much thought printers were printers but this Epson has been shocking. The ink is expensive and doesn't last 5 minutes and worst of all they decide when it runs out which is often when it feels like there is much more left in it. I've since found out that this is at 17% still left in. Then even if your magenta has ran out and you have a full black ink it won't let you print until you replace the magenta.

I don't print professionally and most of what I print is text. So sometimes I don't really care if the ink is running out as long as I get something printed out. This is what most frustrates me with the Epson, I might only need to print out a rough draft but they have decided I can't despite there being plenty enough ink to do this. It also doesn't accept other companies ink cartridges very easily and often not at all.

The printer I had before this (HP) would print even if it was virtually empty and I liked this because you still had a printer in a desperate situation if you needed it. However I don't know if things have changed over the years and now they all do what Epson does, meaning I'm no better off.

I'm looking for a printer between £50-£100 that isn't amazing quality and the ink is relatively cheap. I've seen a couple of Canon printers that are apparently cheapest for the ink but I don't want to buy one only to find out it has the same problems as the Epson printer.

Any experts out there to point me in the right direction?

[Severus]

I have a Canon all in one jobby with a scanner combined. It was fairly cheap (<£100) and I have been pleased with the results. I use a mac and have had no problems at all.

[Maximus Decimus]

I have a Canon all in one jobby with a scanner combined. It was fairly cheap (<£100) and I have been pleased with the results. I use a mac and have had no problems at all.

Big question (for me). Who decides when the ink is cannot be used, you or the printer?

[hindle xiii]

Can we call NE an expert?!

[shrek]

I used to have an all in one HP that was vastly superior to the Kodak I have now, but being an infrequent printer I got fed up with cartridges reaching the end of there natural before I'd used all the ink, if that makes sense.

So I ended up with one of the new Kodak ones, black cartridge £6.99 and colour around £11.99, which does me just fine, quality of prints is pretty good, the cartridges are not massive so if your an intense user you'll probably burn through them pretty quickly but I just don't print in the sort of volumes were I'd ever find out.

[Maximus Decimus]

I used to have an all in one HP that was vastly superior to the Kodak I have now, but being an infrequent printer I got fed up with cartridges reaching the end of there natural before I'd used all the ink, if that makes sense.

So I ended up with one of the new Kodak ones, black cartridge £6.99 and colour around £11.99, which does me just fine, quality of prints is pretty good, the cartridges are not massive so if your an intense user you'll probably burn through them pretty quickly but I just don't print in the sort of volumes were I'd ever find out.

Thanks for that. So with this one does it just run out or does it stop you using the ink?

[Northern Sol]

Buy a printer that doesn't require 4 (or more ink cartridges). This is fine if you want photo quality print-outs but from the sounds of things you don't. It's a while since I bought a printer so I don't know if I am out-of-date or not but my last printer just had the one ink cartridge and it was fine for the purposes that I used it for.

[hindle xiii]

Gadget Show is always pretty good on these types of things.
Linky dink

[Riversiderontour]

Hey guys,

I've been looking round for a new printer and I can't seem to find any consistent advice. If experience teaches me anything there's usually an expert on these forums!

Basically I bought a new Epson printer about a year ago and I hate it. I pretty much thought printers were printers but this Epson has been shocking. The ink is expensive and doesn't last 5 minutes and worst of all they decide when it runs out which is often when it feels like there is much more left in it. I've since found out that this is at 17% still left in. Then even if your magenta has ran out and you have a full black ink it won't let you print until you replace the magenta.

I don't print professionally and most of what I print is text. So sometimes I don't really care if the ink is running out as long as I get something printed out. This is what most frustrates me with the Epson, I might only need to print out a rough draft but they have decided I can't despite there being plenty enough ink to do this. It also doesn't accept other companies ink cartridges very easily and often not at all.

The printer I had before this (HP) would print even if it was virtually empty and I liked this because you still had a printer in a desperate situation if you needed it. However I don't know if things have changed over the years and now they all do what Epson does, meaning I'm no better off.

I'm looking for a printer between £50-£100 that isn't amazing quality and the ink is relatively cheap. I've seen a couple of Canon printers that are apparently cheapest for the ink but I don't want to buy one only to find out it has the same problems as the Epson printer.

Any experts out there to point me in the right direction?

I have an Epsom printer
I use these guys for compatible cartridges

the trick is, do NOT press the OK button when the Epsom software tells you ink is out, just close the dialogue box and slip in the new one, never failed for me
Can get a full set delivered for under £10
I usualy order an extra black as well though so that puts it up by £2.99

Good luck

[shrek]

Thanks for that. So with this one does it just run out or does it stop you using the ink?

It either runs out or drys out depending on how long I go between prints, which can be a while! The ink management seems pretty unobtrusive it leaves you to it.

[goldcard]

Anything you need printing, e-mail to yourself at work, and print it there.
Sorted.....

[hindle xiii]

Anything you need printing, e-mail to yourself at work, and print it there.
Sorted.....

But that was MY super secret scheme...

Edited by hindle xiii, 07 November 2010 - 08:18 PM.

[goldcard]

But that was MY super secret scheme...

Didn't click your link, tbh.....

[hindle xiii]

Didn't click your link, tbh.....

Noooo, that was Gadget show. I'd never unviel any evil genuis plans on TRL.

[Tiny Tim]

I've got a Cannon printer (ip4000 I think) i've had it for years and have no complaints. I get compatible cartridge replacements rather the Canon branded stuff and have no complaints. If it hasn't been used for a while it sometimes needs the self cleaning program to be run, but other than that has out lasted a couple of laptops with no issues. It does B&W printing quick and no problem and does colour photos to a pretty high standard. In it's day i think it was a WHICH? best buy, and most Cannon printers seemed to get good reviews.

[goldcard]

Noooo, that was Gadget show. I'd never unviel any evil genuis plans on TRL.

Ah, sorry, do it anyway, it's no secret now......

[hindle xiii]

Ah, sorry, do it anyway, it's no secret now......

I can't. I got enough stick for airing my views last week.

[Kenilworth Tiger]

My Job is selling printers - couple of questions...

Do you need colour?

What sort of length of time do you need your documents to last once printed?

Is A4 maximum size?

Do yo uneed to be able to do 6x4 photos (obviouslyh irrelevant if you don;t need colour)

Do you want an all in one (print, scan and copy)

I could bore you forever with reasons not to use compatibile media but all I'll say is that it's cheap for a very very good reason.

[Millman]

I could bore you forever with reasons not to use compatibile media but all I'll say is that it's cheap for a very very good reason.

If your occasional use printer only costs £100 for copier/scanner/printer where's the harm? Do go on.....

Best advice; print at work.

[Kenilworth Tiger]

If your occasional use printer only costs £100 for copier/scanner/printer where's the harm? Do go on.....

Best advice; print at work.

where's the harm? none in theory but it depends on what you want to print as per my other questions.....

Now this thread asked if anybody was an expert - I suggest you stay off it and find another one about boring folk to death