[fyrffytr1]

I went to buy ink cartridges for my old HP printer and was shocked! $53.00 for the color cartridges and $39.00 for the black!
I looked at new printers that were cheaper than the ink for my old one. Plus, the new ones are wi-fi ready.
But, I don't know which one would be best for my needs. I like to print high quality photos and want to be able to use the printer with my laptop as well as my PC. Those are about the only requirements I have.

[Ollie]

Yeah, doesn't matter what brand printer you purchase. The printer is cheap, take in the ace for the ink.

[John V.]

Don't know about printing photos.

But if you can, get a laser printer.

I now use a HP 4500 wireless inkjet. It prints color which isn't real important to me. With XL cartridges, I probably get 2-3 months out of the cartridges. Not sure what I pay, maybe about $70 total for both? I was going thru the "regular" cartridges in about 6 weeks.

It is a multifunction that I got cheap with purchase of a laptop. But it is expensive to run.

I aslo have an older HP P2015d laserjet. It is not wireless. I think I pay a local guy about $40 to refill the cartridge. I no longer use this printer on a regular basis in part because it has an electronic issue common to this model (which I think is about 4 years old). It is black only, but with same volume of printing as the inkjet, I would get about a year between refills.

It replaced an HP 4P laserjet that lasted for 15 years or so IIRC. I used to have the cartridge refilled by same guy for about $35 and it would last 9 months, about like clockwork. I used the printer a bit more heavily back then.

When I bought the new laserjet, he thought it might come with a "partial" fill cartridge that wouldn't last long. Turned out not to be so, the original cartridge lasted forever. I think I have only refilled it once, maybe twice, but like I said, it stopped being my regular printer a little more than a year ago.

I have no clue about new models. I'm sure you want color. But you will make up the added cost for a laser printer in ink savings in no time if you use the printer heavily. Especially if you find a good local service to recharge/rebuild the toner cartridge instead of buying new ones.

[fiedlerh]

Avoid Epson at all costs. They lock you out of your cartridge when its half full. About every time we go to use our Epson is won't print unless you replace a $15 cartridge.
A color laser printer is good for everyday printing, take your files to the drugstore or Costco for photographic prints. Our HP 3600n has been great for many years, but is no longer sold. Trouble with color lasers is the toner costs more than a new printer.

[fyrffytr1]

I don't do a lot of printing anymore but every now and then I will print two or three photos.
I really like the quality of the prints I get from my HP D7460 but i want something that I can use with my laptop using Wi-Fi.
What about the Kodak products? They advertise the cheapest ink refills as well as Kodak quality prints.

[chrisinestes]

Laser printers are not good for "photo quality" prints. You have to go with inkjet.

I've used Epsons and HPs for many years. Both print great, but the HPs always lasted longer. Less nozzle clogging on the HPs, too.

I have had good luck with aftermarket cartridges in both my Epson & HP printers. These aren't re-filled, they're new and half the price of the brand named cartridges. They're not available for every make and model, though... so you have to check to see what's available if you want to try the knock-off cartridges. Google up "compatible inkjet cartridges"

I've also heard that the new Kodak printers are good, and the ink prices are lower, but I haven't checked into them, yet.

Right now the only inkjet I have is an HP Photosmart Premium. It's a multi-function with Wi-Fi. It's 2 years old, and so far it's been great. I can buy HP cartridges for it at Sams Club.

A good rule-of-thumb is: The more you pay for the printer, the cheaper it is to use. In my experience, it's mostly held true.

[Rodney R]

I bought an hp officejet 6600 a couple months age to replace my pos Epson and I'm so happy with it. It's AirPrint compatible if that matters to you(apple devices). It prints really fast and a $30 black ink cartridge lasts for over 500 pages. Really nice!

[fyrffytr1]

I went to Columbus today to look at printers and my wife met her sister-in-law there to do some shopping. After looking and not being able to make up my mind I gave up.
During supper my wife's sister-in-law mentioned that she had a bunch of electronic equipment in her storage room that belonged to late husband and asked if I might be interested in any of it.
Long story short, she gave me a JVC receiver, JVC cd player, Vizio blue ray player, a pair of Bose 501 speakers and an HP wireless printer!
I think I came out ahead by paying for her and her son's meal!
I will be rocking in my shop tomorrow night!!

[sonjaab]

IMO just about any brand printer works for me..................

For the $60 in ink my HP printer needed I just picked up a new Epson all in one for
$49 bucks instead and its a wireless unit to boot................
My puter tower didn't have enuff plug-in outlets for accessories anyhoo
so the wireless deal was a plus for me.

[GT182]

Phil, get a printer with scanner and FAX included. Might cost more but you'll be further ahead.

[Cammer-6]

I have a multifunction (scanner/fax/printer) lexmark that was given to me
because guy updated OS and it didnt support Win 7,tricked it and works fine.
For all my printing thats just needs B&W I use a new Brothers laser printer
came with 1000 pg cartridge,3000pg refills are $30 and the whole thing shipped to me was $75.
I have 2 older Brothers lasers and one HP laser if anyone wants them.