Best printer?

[RHT447]

I have an Epson C88+ (works fine, hooked to an XP machine) that I have been running for a few years. However, it is getting a bit long in the tooth (counter has been reset once). I see Epson has discontinued this model, so thought I might grab another from Amazon since I've had good luck with this one.

However, I have a new tower with Windows 7 (Haven't had a chance to set it up yet). If I understand correctly, there are no drivers for 7 to run the C88+. Sooo...looks like I'm in the market for a new printer. Just for basic home printing--no photos. I'm curious as to other opinions about printers; cost, quality, cost of ink, ink consumption, etc.

TIA

[Ricky-Ray]

I've ditched the inkjet printers and have gone directly laser. I have 2 laser printers at home. A networked color laser printer and a networked multifunction black only laser printer (print, scan, copy, fax).

Granted the printers cost a bit more than the inkjets but the quality is much better and toner is cheaper than ink cartridges.

[billofrights]

http://www.amazon.com/Hewlett-Packard-1102W-Laserjet-Wireless/dp/B00847UWUE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390418526&sr=8-1&keywords=hp+1102w

We use that guy, an HP 1102w. Wireless printing so we can print from laptops and ipads if need be. Laser, so the ink won't dry out from extended bouts of disuse ( we print maybe 5 pages a month?).

[MaHoTex]

I have had good luck with the Brother MFC series. I run the now out of production MFC-7420 and it is excellent. I am sure their newest generation works great too.

[Ricky-Ray]

+1 on the Brother MFC series. I picked up the MFC-7860DW refurbished at Staples. After rebates, gift cards, and discounts I only paid $40 bucks for it.

[aeromech]

Okay, here's my two cents on computer printers. I've owned several inkjet printers from all the way back to 1992. I've had HP, Canon, and Epson. All color ink jet. The biggest issue is the cost of ink cartridges. That's why I recommend first, before you buy the printer, go on eBay and see if generic cartridges are available. You can buy two full sets (that's 2 of each color) for about $26 delivered compared to going to Office Max and paying about $20 for each cartridge. Cheap enough to keep spare ink on hand.

Next, as was said earlier you should consider buying a printer that is Airprint compatible. That way you can easily print wirelessly from any of your Apple devices. You can find a list of Airprint printers somewhere online. I wish I had done that.

Lastly, the most recent printer I've purchased is a color laser made by Xerox. I got a great deal on it at $200 delivered. It will get something like 2500 pages printed per toner cartridge. It's super fast and cranks out the pages. The color quality isn't great but if I need to print digital pictures I'll just run down to Kinko's and have them do it.

These days they just about give away printers because they know they've got you when you need to replace the ink. I heard once that HP made more profit off their ink than any other product line. Just go on eBay and type in ink cartridge. You see thousands available at great prices. Then go buy the right printer.

[Ricky-Ray]

I heard once that HP made more profit off their ink than any other product line.

That is true. The profit margin on HP's ink cartridges far exceeds the profit margin of their printers. They will sell some of their printers for a profit loss and hope to gain it back in cartridge sales.

[NytWolf]

I heard once that HP made more profit off their ink than any other product line.

That is true. The profit margin on HP's ink cartridges far exceeds the profit margin of their printers. They will sell some of their printers for a profit loss and hope to gain it back in cartridge sales.

An HP engineer told me once, half of HP's revenue is made on selling ink cartridges.

With that said, your cost per page for laser is waaaaay less than ink.

[klewan]

Canon laser....I got tired of the print heads failing in the ink jet because I didn't use it often enough.

[Dubious_Beans]

However, I have a new tower with Windows 7 (Haven't had a chance to set it up yet). If I understand correctly, there are no drivers for 7 to run the C88+. Sooo...looks like I'm in the market for a new printer.

FWIW, the C88+ works fine under Win7-64bit. BTDT.

[sholling]

Another +1 on the Brother MFC series. Unless you need faxing the Brother DCP 7065DN monochrome laser printer/copier/scanner is a great choice and it occasionally goes on sale for with deep discounts ($160 shipped right now). If you need faxing then the MFC-7460DN is good to go. High capacity 2600 page factory toner runs about $50 ($15 for knockoffs) and by the time you need to replace the 12,000 page drum you'll be ready for a newer printer.

[bg]

I bought one of these Brother HL-2270DW's. It's a refurb that came with
a 2 year cover all warranty. I don't know if it works as it's still sitting
in the box, but these things had good reviews, and lazer is the only
way to go. It seems to have a fairly small footprint and that was
real important. Kinda get an idea of it's size from this image.

[Cowboy T]

I despise Brother's printers because they're not Linux-friendly. I will gladly use an HP, though, especially any of their LaserJets. Not only is the printing quality good on them, but if my (now ancient) LaserJet 6L is any indication, they're doggone durable, too.

The Color LaserJets are now pretty affordable, so consider one of those as well.

[Kodemonkey]

I have a few of the compact Brother 2270 lasers. Use them as check printers at the office. Time to print first page is really quick - even in sleep (like 8 seconds). I bought one for my wife to use at her work (she is a teacher) and she pounds on that thing. Cartridges are cheap, they last a pretty long time.

I ended up buying one for home for the occasional print job because my inkjet would always be dried out or screwed up in some way. I've been on the same toner cartridge for 4 years. Toner doesn't dry out...

In windows 7, my wife just prints everything she wants on the laptop even though the printer isn't connected (it spools it) - goes upstairs, turns on the printer, plugs in the USB in within 15 seconds it is kicking out all her print jobs.

None of the 3 I have bought have died yet.

[MaHoTex]

One of the Newegg Shell Shocker deals today is a Brother Multi-Function Printer/Scanner.

Heck of a deal:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828113651

MFC-7860 with built in wireless networking.