Need a decent all-in-one printer

OneYorkshireLass

Looking for printer-scanner-copier. Currently have a HP Photosmart C5280 - the cartridges are expensive, it's very temperamental (won't do double sided printing even though it's supposed to), not much warning when cartridges are running out and it's now eating my paper on a regular basis.

I'm looking for something of a similar size, but with cheaper cartridges. Also, I use the double sided function a lot so if there's one that does it automatically somehow that'd be good.

Any recommendations?

podcake

Hello OneYorkshireLass,

You say that you use the double sided function a lot, that says to me that you use the printer a lot in general. For reliability, functionality and cost effectiveness when using large numbers of prints I would ALWAYS point people towards a 'laser' printer (when I say laser I mean Laser, LED ETC., basically one that uses toner). They have come down in price SIGNIFICANTLY in recent years and are a far better deal. You do not get caught out with toner, you tend to get 3000+ pages from a black (depending on sizes etc). So as long as you have a spare in u'll have loads of time to buy the next one. Also, you CAN have a spare in and it won't dry up...

My Brother laser has done me 12,000 pages in the last 2 years (approx) and has had one set of colour toners and one (maybe two, I cant quite remember) blacks.

it doesn't even skip a beat when you send it 200 pages of degree dissertation to print, it simply does it.

its a bit out of the box, and probably a bigger outlay but tbh laser printers are cheaper in the long run. Back when i was looking for this one i drew a graph of all of the printers and associated costs ( i know, I need a life). Lasers came out cheaper than all but one inkjet which came out cheaper than EVERYTHING by a margin. ( I think HP lied about the performance) That said i looked for reviews, and the inkjet had hundreds (literally) of bad reviews, it hadn't been out long...


You don't say if you NEED colour or if mono will suffice. If it will things are a decent size and price. Colour and multifunction makes laser printers expensive. If you need colour, i'd personally suggest a colour laser and a scanner, after all, how much printing do you honestly do without a PC turned on?

OneYorkshireLass

Thanks podcake, I have previously heard that lasers are far superior but always thought they were huge. I've just found the 'compact' ones though, so I will have to get the tape measure out and see how they compare to the inkjets.

I've been surprised how much I have used the scanner & copier, to be honest, and I guess I could get away with not having colour ink. Trouble is, it'll be used by other people so I have to take their opinions into account too.

If anyone's ever had an Epson I'd be interested in opinions - got this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/Epson-Stylus-Office-BX305FW-Printer/dp/B005X4X5UA/ref=sr_1_5?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1327962560&sr=1-5
on the shortlist.

santer_2

Another option

This has 2400 by 2400 scanning resolution, the BX305 has 1200 by 2400

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/epson-stylus-sx535wd-wireless-all-in-one-inkjet-printer-11825609-pdt.html?srcid=369~Computing%20Accessories~11825609

http://www.epson.co.uk/Store/Printers-and-All-in-Ones/Epson-Stylus-SX535WD/Tech-Specs

http://www.epson.co.uk/Store/Printers-and-All-in-Ones/Epson-Stylus-Office-BX305FW/Tech-Specs

A lot of the newer Epson's use the T1295 set of inks, which are among the more expensive sets of compatibles

Compatibles here, though check for better pricing and ink capacity

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/printsolution/_i.html?_nkw=T1295&submit=Search&_sid=742048059

Erme

You can refill cartridges quite easily (okay it's a bit messy) by getting a just refill kit off amazon

I did that for my canon MG5150 when I first got it and discovered it was only half empty - so I just turned off the ink status monitor and I've been fine since..

Love my Canon MG5150 (if you can still get them) and yes does double sided (though I find reloading the paper for more than one sheet quicker)

E

OneYorkshireLass

Thanks for the Canon recommendation, have found it at Maplins online.

andy2004

refilling cartridges isnt just messy, its a nightmare, did that when i had a lexmark will never do it again.
I bought a epson sx200 printer, cartridges for mine only cost about 50p-55p for compatibles. 18-19ml per cartridge, bought my last 14 just over 2years ago and still only on the 2nd set.

there a program which was on QVC a couple of months ago called Inksaver 2.0 i downloaded a trial of it, and it works. even on a setting of 33% i couldnt tell the difference between 0% and 33%, but i stopped using it.
due to the amount i was printing at the time. 1 a4 page once a fortnight it felt stupid running it at windows startup time, and then of course i forgot to run it when printing. LOL.

HughSpencer

I use Inksave down to 40% with black but keep it to 100% for colour. Recommended.