which printer?

spaceboy

Neil_Jones wrote: »

It is not "bizarre". I used to work in IT support and the number of people who complained their printer was broken because it didn't produce a good quality picture was quite high. In nine time out of ten the problem was nothing to do with the printer it was due to the fact the source of the photo was crap - too dark, too light, full of motion blur or somebody had attacked it with Photoshop.

Mind you nothing beats the "blow a tiny little 200x200px image up to A3 and be able to see the hairs up somebody's nose" thing, which works wonderfully in no end of movies and TV shows but is totally impossible in reality, as it'll just look like an explosion in a Minecraft game.

Rest assured I am not that stupid.

Neil_Jones

spaceboy wrote: »

That doesn't help me as I do print quite often. And still nobody has suggested any printers. I also scan regularly. I forgot to mention that.

Decent budget one:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Epson-Expression-XP-255-Print-Printer/dp/B07CQ5N6XQ

Compatible ink for it available for under £10.

spaceboy

Neil_Jones wrote: »

Decent budget one:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Epson-Expression-XP-255-Print-Printer/dp/B07CQ5N6XQ

Compatible ink for it available for under £10.

Can it definitely use compatible inks though? There's a few 1 star reviews which say it can't.

silverwhistle

spaceboy wrote: »

That doesn't help me as I do print quite often. And still nobody has suggested any printers. I also scan regularly. I forgot to mention that.

For what purpose? I use a B&W laser (and scanner) for most of my needs but yesterday we took a photo of the football team I play for, and for that I'll go to one of the self-service bureaux to print of a few copies.


Look at somewhere like Novatech for specs and go from there.

debitcardmayhem

spaceboy wrote: »

That doesn't help me as I do print quite often. And still nobody has suggested any printers. I also scan regularly. I forgot to mention that.

spaceboy wrote: »

Rest assured I am not that stupid.

Really, printers print, photo printers print photos, scanners ...with me so far.
Cheap and nice are adjectives, not necessarily used together unless you add dress,or biscuits. Size is relative, just 6x4 or A3, no you are not “that stupid” just not giving us the impression that you don’t know what you want ergo what type of answer that is not stupid:cool:

that

i you print a lot, 300 or 600 dpi are enough, then lasers are possibly cheaper, though not up to 2000dpi. What ever they choose, the consumables will rip you off.

use amazon, type in compatible ink cartridges, find one with a good score given by load of people, and is a top seller, read the reviews too, then choose the printer that fits that cartridge.

If you print a lot, look on amazon for CIS, instead of "compatible ink cartridges", and continue the above process. Very few engineers work with a wide and varied range of printers, and new printers nearly always work, so sale people a bit misleading.

spaceboy

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

Really, printers print, photo printers print photos, scanners ...with me so far.
Cheap and nice are adjectives, not necessarily used together unless you add dress,or biscuits. Size is relative, just 6x4 or A3, no you are not “that stupid” just not giving us the impression that you don’t know what you want ergo what type of answer that is not stupid:cool:

I disagree. I should have perhaps said "decent for the money". And you're just being condescending.

abssorb

spaceboy wrote: »

Not had a great deal of advice yet. No recommendations of specific printers that use individual colour cartridges.

Did you look at any Brother printers after I suggested them?


If you don't want to do any thinking, just get a Brother MFC-J4620DW. About £150. Has individual cartridges, the OEM cartridges are only about £12 each.

It's also a scanner / copier.

I find that the photos from this printer satisfy the requirement of "nice"

interstellaflyer

abssorb wrote: »

Did you look at any Brother printers after I suggested them?


If you don't want to do any thinking, just get a Brother MFC-J4620DW. About £150. Has individual cartridges, the OEM cartridges are only about £12 each.

It's also a scanner / copier.

I find that the photos from this printer satisfy the requirement of "nice"

https://www.brother.co.uk/printers/inkjet-printers/mfcj4620dw

The MFC-J4620DW has been discontinued as have most of the printers taking those particular cartridges. £12 each will get you the low yield LC223 colour cartridges, however, these machines run perfectly well on compatible cartridges, our Demo 4620 at work is 2 years old and has had several sets through it and it it still works perfectly.

That said, if photo printing was a must I'd go for a Canon printer that takes PG570 CLi571 cartridges as the photo black does make a difference.

Heedtheadvice

spaceboy wrote: »

I disagree. I should have perhaps said "decent for the money". And you're just being condescending.

Well you are very entitled to your opinion. Having not replied yet though I can see why other posters might be getting a bit frustrated.


You really need to be more specific - even for people to properly comment in fairly general terms. Post a list of what you need, the use for which your prints will be put, what size you need, how many you forecast that you will print of text and colour and full colour photos.


These days [ as you will be aware ] printers cover a vast range of prices, quality of printer, quality of print, aims of the output [ monochrome text, graphics (colour), photo, water/fade resistance, 'ink' type (Jet cart/ jet tank/laser/ specialist), availability of compatible non original brand supplies, paper/card/envelop/poster handling type ans size. Budget also plays a big role.


Which? (the Consumers Association) regularly test and review independently and give all round scores and Best and Don't buy guidance. Several specific ones are already listed.


Currently for the cheaper inkjet ranges some HP ones are coming out well (I have always found their consumables to be expensive), Canon always have several of theirs highly rated, but I have always been pleased with Epson (currently an older Photo R265) for my needs with very good photo printing with cheap Wilco photo papaer!!. An acquaintance will only print photos an one bought for well over £1000 as that more meets the need.



What is your need in specific rather than woolly terms?????


it's a bit horses for courses and if you do not define the course nobody can realistically advise which horse to back!