looking for a new printer... again

OK, I'm just looking for a standard printer. I don't even need color.

budget <200$

I'd like it to...
have the ability to print black pages even if the color is out.
3-in-1 copier
cheap ink cartidges(or drums)
as fast as possible


I've had good luck with Epson in the past but the reviews aren't very good on the current Stylus line and I can't find much on the WorkForce series. nor Can epson printers print if any of the cartridges are empty, eg. if yellow is empty you can't print your term paper...

I currently have a Epson Stylus CX4800 printer but lines are starting to appear in the text and the feeder is grabbing >1 sheets at a time...

If I can't find anything I'm going to buy the HP DeskJet 4160 as it's 25$ and I can use it until the ink is out and then toss it.

Oh, I know of printercomparision.com, but there is zero traffic there...

what do you suggest? you guys were great with finding me a good keyboard

 

i got an all in one for like 80 bucks at staples. I think it was a lexmark.

 

how is the lexmarks ink consumption? and how much are the cartridges... I trying to find a decent printer that is cheap to run.

 

lexmarks are ok for light work and the cartriges are mostly refillable

 

oh, ok thanks! is there seriously no good printers out there? I might just have to buy the cheap HP and use it as a disposable printer... print out the life of the cartridges and toss the unit...

 

lexmark x4650

 

HP Photosmart C5580 - Good all around printer and cartridges (74/75) are cheap

Epson Artisan 800 Great Photos, awesome machine but def more expensive to operate than the HP

 

the HP has actually very expensive cartidges...

the others I can't find cartridges. cartridges for my current Epson are 4$

but thanks for the post! I'm still considering them but first I need to find them.

 

I would go for a Brother b&w laser printer for about $75 if you could live without the copying
The copying 3in1 feature put you close to $200 for the cheapest models
Any of the inkjets cost a lot per sheet for ink, and the cartridges tend to dry out when not used
I have been using laser printers for about 10 years and have saved a bundle on supplies, my latest is a hp color laser printer




Alex

 

You could also try to repair your current printer instead of buying an inferior new one.
The lines are caused by a clogged print head. Canon allows the user to remove the print head which makes cleaning super easy, Epson sadly not. You can try to use the in-built clean function, if this does not help you have to clean the print head manually with alcohol or something else, sadly you can't take the print head out. Or, if you're skilled enough you can disassemble the whole printer and take the print head out for easier cleaning.
Just google a bit, I don't know an english site which explains how to clean an Epson print head.

Then the feeder. Most often it helps if you just clean the rolls, change the paper type or store the paper on a less humid place. Google for a tutorial what to use to clean the feeder or other rolls in the printer.


If you really don't want to repair it, then buy a new one. If you want one with a permanent print head again, just like the Epson then better get a Canon, because there you can remove the print head, place it in Isopropylalcohol for a night and then all the lines are gone.

Permanent print heads are better for people who often print things.
HP and some others don't use them, there the print head is on each ink cartridge. This makes ink more expensive, refill kits more expensive, if available at all, therefore they are better for casual printers.

 

I recently purchased an Epson Workforce 500 and it's been fine so far. I opted to get it over the 600 because I didn't want to spend the extra money for the built-in wireless adapter (the main difference), something I wouldn't use.

It's my third Epson in a row and, as you said, the biggest qualm I have had with them has been the pricey ink cartridges that force you to replace them even if you're not printing with that color. This time, I just decided to purchase a CIS system instead to help alleviate that problem. Like the printer, it's been fine so far.

I hope my luck holds out.

 

I used the 'cleaning' software that came with the epson, and it seems to have corrected itself, but I still want a new one, that's just too close. If I need an essay printed I don't want to fight with this thing.

 

Once you have installed new cartridges you have to use the printer on a regular basis, store the printer at a cooler ambient temperature. I have the Epson CX4600 which is almost identical with yours and it's working great when used every other day or week. Alcohol will deform and deteriorate plastic and rubber parts. I would not recommend it. Use warm water and paper towel to clean it. Install new cartridges when you work on something big like your essay, don't give ink a chance to run dry. Print something at least once a week. Head cleaning consumes ink... the software probably informs you about that already.

 

wow, I found cheap ink! 20$ for 14 cartridges... now I think I'm just going to use my printer until it dies... if it goes on me last minute I be first in line at staples. maybe at Christmass I grab a new one and give this one to my parents. thanks everyone for your help!