Printer suggestions

Forums › Desktop computing › Printer suggestions

cjmack

167 posts

Master Geek

#40565 31-Aug-2009 15:20

Hi,

Not sure where to post this, so Mods feel free to move it if needed.

I currently have a Brother DCP-150C. It works great, except for a few things. Because I hardly ever use it, each time I turn it on it needs to clean itself, this therefore uses ink. Also, if I want to print something, and one of the ink colours is out, I can't print anything. Even if I want to print in black and the yellow is out, it won't let me print ANYTHING.

What I am looking for is something to possibly replace it, as it costs me a fortune in ink refills (about every 5 times I use it, it needs new ink).

I need a scanner/copier, printer (B&W will be fine, but prefer colour), possibly a fax if I can, and I would dream of LAN connection so as others can print when I'm not home. I also want something that won't cost me an arm and a leg in the long run in ink/toner costs.

I would like one under $200, but I doubt that is possible. $250 is a more realistic budget, but I could probably stretch to $300 for a good one.

If anyone can help me, that would be great!!

Thanks,

Sam.

samwooff

219 posts

Master Geek

#252067 31-Aug-2009 22:01

Ok brother epson canon all put the printing jet on printer so unless you use your printer reguarly the cartridges dry out, hence why yours "cleans" itself out when you print every couple of days.
HP and lexmark are the only two brands as far as i know that include the printing jet on the cartridge, this means the cartridges do cost slightly more initially but will save you much more if you don't print that often because they don't dry out.

Not sure about the lexmark range but the most efficient printers in the HP range are the ones that use the 74 and 75 cartridges
http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4a9b9e00011bb454273fc0a87f3b068b/Product/View/XM1103
pretty much any printer thats on this page.

The trick with these printers is to get the XL cartridges, they cost twice as much as normal ones but have 4 times the ink.

The base model in the range the c4480
http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4a9b9e00011bb454273fc0a87f3b068b/Product/View/XP4480
just has print,copy,scan but others have the whole package, wlan, fax etc

Printing quality is acceptable too.

........ORRR alternatively, get a laser lol, good luck finding one for under $300 that does anything other than B&W printing though.

Desktop: i7 920, GTX 275, asus P6T, antec 1200, 6gb ram, 1tb spinpoint f1, 1tb spinpoint f3, Logitech Z2300, Zero DAC, Shure SRH440
Laptop: Toshiba satellite, T5300, Go 7300
Home Theatre: 32" loewe CRT, Harmon kardon amp, dvd player, image 418 speakers, rega planar 25 turntable :)

cjmack

167 posts

Master Geek

#252078 31-Aug-2009 22:33

Hi,

Thanks for that, very helpful.

I had a quick look on the DSE site, and came across this HP model: http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4a9b9e00011bb454273fc0a87f3b068b/Product/View/XP6270 would that model be any good? I couldn't work out what ink cartridge it uses.

I'll have a better look tomorrow when I have more time.

samwooff

219 posts

Master Geek

#252363 1-Sep-2009 19:08

That particular one uses 6 seperate ink cartridges=expensive. it's generally the ones that use a combined colour that are more frugal.
On the dse website it shows you the inks it uses in the "customers also bought" at the bottom of the page.
I think my girlfriend's printer has fax and wifi and uses the 74/75 inks i'll try and get a model number for you cause it should be perfect, not sure where she got it from though.

richms

28168 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#252378 1-Sep-2009 19:32

Get a epson, some refillable carts and bulk ink off ebay and you are printing for cents per page.

If you get the auto reset chips it will never prime since it never sees 100% full carts in the printer. You can use the tools to force a clean or prime if needed.

They had a printer/scanner at dse for $110 or so - only a 4 colour one so not great for photos but thats clearly not one of your priorities.

Richard rich.ms

cjmack

167 posts

Master Geek

#253451 5-Sep-2009 21:20

How does this look?
http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/computers/computer-scanners/epson-stylus-office-tx600fw-multifunction-inkjet-printer/prod10483.html
I will jump on pricespy and try and find it cheaper aswell.

richms

28168 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#253578 6-Sep-2009 17:35

That looks like the cheap dse one with fax as well. They are all pretty good. Just dont hit up the bottom end of the bulk ink market. I did on my R230/R310's and its not the right ink so it drips thru the printhead when printing leaving splotches on the page.

Budgetstore on ebay has done me well. I just needed some in a hurry so trademe'd it. Thats a pigment printer so stick with pigment inks, yes they are about twice the price but they are so much better on cheap plain paper then dye's

Richard rich.ms