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Hi folks,
I'm now shopping an economic all-in-on Photo InkJet printer, including printing and scanner, (faxing being optional) preferrable Cannon. There are many of them available on computer shop. It won't be easy for me to decide. I only print and scan occasionally, heavy duty being NOT a MUST. The printer shall be used on Windows machine as well as Linux machine.
Suggestion and comment would be appreciated. TIA
B.R.
satimis
http://opensource.hp.com/
Seems from earlier search i did on the subject that HP has good support for Linux, I am looking to buy a (All in On Inkjet) HP5610 or may be a HP6310 (wifi network version) as soon i find a good deal on them.
PS these models are not photo printers.
I use an HP OfficeJet J5780 without any problems.
But for a few exceptions, Canon is not Linux friendly, has no intention of supporting Linux (that I know of), and is at the forefront of devising PTP and MTP protocols in conjunction with MS, Sony and others in order to keep some digital photo and audio in proprietary formats .....so return the favor, don't buy their products.
HP, Epson, Samsung and Brother all-in-ones have worked well with Linux and Windows. FWIW you will get much better value from a laser. They are pretty inexpensive nowadays. I am currently using a DCP7020 laser all in one with drivers from the Brother website and Brother Japan even gave me 24 hr email tech support when I loaded the wrong Linux driver. (all is working nicely now)
Hope this helps
Thanks for your advice. Can it print photos? If YES how about the photo printing quality?Quote:
Originally Posted by Trio3b
I'm aware that if the price of the laser printer is low then the toner replacement will be high. On the contrary if the price of the laser printer is high then the toner replacment will be low. How is about the Brother laser printer ? TIA
B.R.
satimis
Noted with thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Davno
Thanks for your advice.Quote:
Originally Posted by E1PHOTON
satimis
Brother laser about $125US with toner $68US, but this is monochrome laser. Most inexpensive lasers are not meant for photo quality.
I don't know where you are located but some photoshops and drugstores print jpegs for .19US per print in less than 1 hour. The quality is much better than you can get from most inkjets and you will not have to replace ink cartridges ($18 each color x3= $58 + black $25US =$83US which is more than half the cost of a new printer. I personally find it easier to download my photos online to the local drugstore and pickup prints the same day for just a few dollars and not worry about inkjets. All my documents are printed on the laser.
You must determine your usage to decide if an inkjet is worthwhile.
Hope this helps.
Does Canon us a print head separate from the ink cartridge? if so, it may be a terrible choice for an occasional user. I had a very bad experience with an Epson. The print head clogged up between uses and a new print head would run more than a new printer.
With HP, when a cartridge dries up before I have used all the ink, I can pitch it and restore my printer for the price of a cartridge.
I am currently experimenting with adding a drop or 2 of antifreeze to the ink i use to refill the cartridge. As the water evaporates, it leaves the glycol keeping the ink fluid. I am not ready to declare success or failure.
I am also pricing laser printers. I would hope the dry toner won't dry up and clog the print head. Years ago, I had good luck with an Olivetti that used dry toner.
Labman has a good point about printheads incorporated into cartridge.
Hi folks,
Thanks for your further advice.
HP has full support on Linux printer driver and scanner driver. I'm sure as I'm running HP Deskjet 5740 on Ubuntu and Archlinux here w/o problem. For Canon printer its installation on Linux box is a pain. Finally it can be solved with heavy effort injected.
What is the deficiency of HP printers is to print namecards. HP printers are feeding paper horizontally. They have problem on intaking namecard sheet. I have to give it a push with hand. But the printing postion differs on the pressure of the push. Some Canon models have vertical feeding device. They may intake paper correctly without a push. For such a reason I start turning to Canon and other makers whose printers are designed with vertical feeding of paper.
I need to print namecards occasionally. Photo printing is not very important as I print photo only occasionally as well. It is only for convenience not bringing them to shop.
I have been shopping a while on computer shops. According to their information only Epson and Canon have models with vertical paper feeding. To print namecards it needs an InkJet printer. Print head of Canon printers is replaceable. It costs about $30/head, not necessary disposing the ink tank.
My friend just purchased a Canon MA318 all-in-one InkJet printer. He is a Windows user. I'll test printing namecard on his printer when I have time. If successful I'll purchase a Canon Photo Inkjet Printer PIXMA iP2600 taking a chance. It only costs $50. I'll keep the Epson Perfection 3490 Photo Scanner which I'm now running.
B.R.
satimis