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Thread ID: 66478	2006-02-24 19:52:00	Cheap Colour Printer	bonzo29 (2348)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
433403	2006-02-24 19:52:00	My B&W Laser printer fulfills the majority of my needs but the better half would like to occasionally colour print out an embroidery pattern and suchlike. Usage would be minimal maybe 3or 4 prints a week so I suspect the cartridge would dry out before it was empty through use! Q1 which elcheapo would you recommend? Q2 any problems having two printers connected to one computer, providing you change to the appropriate default XP control panel of course	bonzo29 (2348)
433404	2006-02-24 20:06:00	1) Canon Pixma iP1000 or iP2000 (check PriceSpy for best buys) and stay away from Lexmark, HP or Epson. The latter brands can have higher ink costs for lack of individual cartridges, or because of other whiz-bang technology that reduces ink yield. I favour Canon because I have had 5 consecutive Canon printers over the last 11 years (changed because of upgrades in performance, not because of failures) and they have been cheap to run and ultra reliable. 2) I run up to 5 printers off one computer, all you need to do is select the correct one when you get the printer option box at the start of a print. Set the Laser as the default if it does all the work. Cheers Billy 8-{) Edit: Nearly forgot, don't buy an elcheapo, it will cost you more in the long run and may frustrate the better half.	Billy T (70)
433405	2006-02-24 20:27:00	Many thanks BT, Can' afford to frustrate the better half whatever the cost!!	bonzo29 (2348)
433406	2006-02-24 20:37:00	Further note to B.T. Have just seen the Canon IP 1600 at $99 special on the DSE site I guess I could slip down and buy one of these. Searching around on PriceSpy prob. wouldn't save me much at this price. By the way, do new printers usually have full size cartridges or do they just fit sample type ones for want of a better description?	bonzo29 (2348)
433407	2006-02-24 20:40:00	I bought a pixma 1600 last week... colour is in one cartridge... print heads part of cartridge... print quality excellent Pete	Organicpete (133)
433408	2006-02-24 21:09:00	I'd go for Canon - mine only used occasionaly, but no problems with ink drying out. Pretty sure the cartridges supplied were normal ones. As replacements, I use Office Solutions ones from Warehouse Stationary.	Peter H (220)
433409	2006-02-24 21:09:00	Hmm... I wasn't aware of the "one cartridge" development at the low end prices. At the cost of cartridges, it is well worth upscaling until you reach the first model with separates. It isn't too expensive though, because I went all the way ip to an iP4200 and paid a smidge over $200 (+GST). Check Canon's website to find out which model has separates. Canon only have full capacity cartriges BTW, so you get full life from the ones supplied with the printer. They are transparent, so WYSIWYG. Follow installation instructions to the letter, or you may get covered in ink! (Guess how I found out. :blush: ) Cheers Billy 8-{)	Billy T (70)
433410	2006-02-24 21:31:00	But please, stay away from Brother printers. As regards ink "drying out", I stored an HP inkjet for 2 years in the garage, cartriges intact. When I got it out it works straight-off, no blockage or drying out involved. Unlike Billy T, I avoid Canon for historical support reasons, but have had a great run out of HP (presently run 3 HP printers, used to have dozens in a previous job). At your print usage, the ink cost is not going to be a significant factor. But if you had a Brother printer, the "cleaning cycles" could over time empty the ink irrespective of use. Same goes for some earlier models of Epson I believe, based on personal experience. Many printers do ship with "starter cartridges" HP is in that category.	godfather (25)
433411	2006-02-24 21:46:00	Thanks again to everyone for prompt and v.helpful advice.	bonzo29 (2348)
433412	2006-02-24 22:30:00	I bought a cheap brother multifunction printer & I have regretted it. The print quality was great when I first bought it, but after 4 months, it is crap & It has to do a cleaning cycle before every time I print.	Greven (91)
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