In August, I'll be starting law school, and leaving my job of seven years in order to do it. I'm taking stock of all the resources I currently enjoy at work that I'll actually have to buy for my home after I leave. Lori's school has a lot of paper-cutting equipment, so I'll still have access to those kind of things (though I'll have to start buying my own paper), but the main things I'll lose are my current hardware setup.
I've already got my sights set on either a black or white MacBook, or even a 15-inch MacBook Pro, depending on how much federal financial aid I end up getting. This will replace my current work-provided first-gen 17-inch MacBook Pro, which I dearly love, but which has started to fritz out a bit anyway. But I'll need a color printer for the house, to replace the one that will stay on my desk at work when I leave.
I already have an old HP LaserJet 4 at home for black and white printing, so I'm primarily looking for something with great graphics/photo printing capabilities. It has to be able to hook directly into my network, and I'd like to find one with less-expensive cartridges. Of course, it has to play nice with Macs.
Consumer Reports recommends a number of sub-$100 models, including the HP Deskjet D4260 and the Canon Pixma iP1800. But I find myself very wary of cheaper printers - I worked at Lexmark, I know the score when it comes to printers. Buying cheap up front almost always guarantees higher ink costs and quality compromises.
So, since I assume each and every one of you reading this (hi, Mom!) has an inkjet printer of some kind, what would you recommend?
Mom | March 12, 2008 3:32 PM
The Pixmas are great. I have the IP3000 and the IP3300 both of which are great for photos as you know. The IP3000 is hard to find now but I prefer it as it has the bottom loading tray. They are inexpensive and I think worth the money. My IP3000 has been going strong for 3-4 or more years. It could probably use a new print head which runs in the 40$ range. I think Dad has the IP1800 so you might ask him about it.
I got my IP3300 from www.pcconnection.com they are also www.macconnection.com. Their printer prices are really good and there are usually rebates of some sort.
Mom | March 12, 2008 3:32 PM
The Pixmas are great. I have the IP3000 and the IP3300 both of which are great for photos as you know. The IP3000 is hard to find now but I prefer it as it has the bottom loading tray. They are inexpensive and I think worth the money. My IP3000 has been going strong for 3-4 or more years. It could probably use a new print head which runs in the 40$ range. I think Dad has the IP1800 so you might ask him about it.
I got my IP3300 from www.pcconnection.com they are also www.macconnection.com. Their printer prices are really good and there are usually rebates of some sort.
Nick | March 12, 2008 3:50 PM
Computer-wise, go with just a regular macbook that has at least 2GB of RAM, mine runs great and it comes with most of the same stuff.
Printer-wise....I have no recommendations. If you end up needing just a color printer that only prints about 700 dpi, let me know, I have an Epson at my place that I never use, and would gladly give you it for nothing. Well...maybe a 79 cent taco.
Nala | March 12, 2008 4:41 PM
The HP Deskjet D4260 is what I buy for all my remote and European sales agents. They abuse the hell out of them but they seem to last quite a while.
AnnaMarie | March 14, 2008 12:27 PM
Wait... you're leaving your stuff at the Library? I thought it was common practice for you department to keep everything.
(please don't hit me!)
teresa | March 17, 2008 10:14 AM
well, i use my printer all the time for printing packaging for my crafty items i sell. i use the higher end epson printer photo stylus R1800. it has 6 ink cartridges, each cost about $14 to replace, but you only replace the ones that get low, instead of a whole 4 part one. it isn't cheap printer, but i work it like a dog, and it is really good. my experiences with ink jets, they only work well when they cost more money. the cheap ones seem to always fail on ya.