recommend a decent desktop printer

[Johnnyreb]

Ok, I have an HP 5610 all-in-one that regularly has a error problem with any new or refilled ink cartridge I try to give it. And the web-fu makes it clear this is a common piece-of-junk level problem with this printer. HP seems to claim that the problem is electrical as in a bad remanufactured failed ink cartridge and offers a nice little document supporting how much non-brand new and non-HP ink cartridges fail. Which I might place stock in if it didn't claim a ZERO failure rate for HP's stuff. Oh well.

I've had the problem for some time since I don't use this thing all that much. But today I just don't want to spend half an hour or more pulling the stupid color ink cartridge out and putting it back in until the stupid bit of junk finally admits the ink is in there.

So, who knows a decent all-in-one type color printer that ISN'T an HP and isn't real pricey? Hopefully one where you don't get screwed on buying new ink for it. I think I paid 150 for this thing back when, so kinda around that much. I might think more to get something real nice but there's still these two trees right beside the house that have to go and the car could use new tires too.

[Greg]

Just how set are you on it being color?

Because laser printers are *much* better, more reliable, cheaper and easier to feed, resulting in fewer headaches and much lower costs on an ongoing basis.

You can find all-in-ones where the printer portion is a monochrome laser, and they're not too pricey. If you can do without the color....

[Rustyv]

If color isn't a requirement, grab a Brother laser.

[arctictom]

I have an Epson NX430 Scanner color for low volume stuff works great , for higher volumes I have a B/W Brother Laser I print about 1k pages a month on it and it have been running since 2008 , good luck and check Toms Hardware for advice as well (its CNET) .

[mekender]

Just how set are you on it being color?

Because laser printers are *much* better, more reliable, cheaper and easier to feed, resulting in fewer headaches and much lower costs on an ongoing basis.

You can find all-in-ones where the printer portion is a monochrome laser, and they're not too pricey. If you can do without the color....

I have this one:

http://www.amazon.com/HP-LaserJet-M1217 ... B004SUELBW

Works great, I get a new toner cart about every 15 months.

[HTRN]

Get a return LaserJet 5. They can be had for around 250 or so, a and last damn near forever.

[NVGdude]

One think I learned quickly when I moved to Arizona:

Ink Jets suck diseased Donkey Dick. Nothing like having the 5% humidity kill an 80% full ink cartridge. Went Laser and never looked back.

Unless you really NEED color, buy an HP B&W Laserjet. HP makes a good Laser printer. Inkjets, not so much, and their inkjets are still better than almost everyone else's.

[Denis]

+1 on getting a middle-of-the-range Brother b/w laser printer. Rugged and reliable, and consumables are reasonably priced. I use one on my desk in work, where I produce a lot of documents, and one toner kit lasts me 18 months or more.

At home, my HP LaserJet 1100A is a bit slow at 8ppm, but still going strong. It must be 20 years old by now. I really like the photocopier feature. I'm still hoping I can find somebody with the original scanner software for it...

[Greg]

I posted this as an aside in a rant (about CUPS, if you recall) a while back:

I bought my first printer in the very late 90's. Samsung monochrome laser, when they were first starting to break into the US print market so they were pricing aggressively. Spent $400 on it and it was a *steal*. It has served me well for over a decade, and it's still only on its second toner cartridge. Unfortunately it's getting tired, it's had lots of little issues, between the paper jams and the toner leaks, etc.

So, with discounts everywhere I bought a new printer. Samsung monochrome laser, network-capable, better than the old one in every measureable way. $80. Electronics is one of the closer things we still have to a free market, and look what happens. Maybe people might figure something from that.... Anyway.

Something vaguely similar to this:

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SL-M2825D ... 00DOV1D1W/

though the models have minor changes all the time. I've heard good things about Brother personal lasers too, and refurbs of the higher-end HP's can be awesome deals.

[Weetabix]

I've had great luck with HP lasers. One I have has been going for almost 10 years. Good results with Brother lasers.

Very small data sample, but a Canon Pixma color inkjet served me pretty well for a short time before I didn't need it any more. It was only $50, and I suspect it was intended to promote buying ink. I mostly used it as a scanner/fax.