Seeking Advice on Printer to buy

[leafleaf]

For3 months now, i've been sitting on a decision between buying an Epson, Canon
or HP A3 or A4 printer. I want one that would print both nice color or BW quality
prints that will last.

Have a budget of about S$1,000.....

Any suggestions/advice from fellow CSers?

Thanks

[jeffreyk]

there is a promo on HP8450 at HP online store (ending 31 Dec 05).

$199 + trade in any printer in working condition.

[jfoo]

Originally Posted by leafleaf For3 months now, i've been sitting on a decision between buying an Epson, Canon or HP A3 or A4 printer. I want one that would print both nice color or BW quality prints that will last. Have a budget of about S$1,000..... Any suggestions/advice from fellow CSers? Thanks

i think the question you have to put to yourself what is it you want to print, or print often.

i can offer you the following tips:
canon: print head is a separate component which is user replaceable. individial ink cartridges allow you to print till the last drop. the ink cartridges are transparent so you can see how much ink you have before you decide to go ahead with a print job when the system tells you ink is out. easy to find original and third party inks. print head doesn't clog up even though i don't print anything for a week or two (when i was away on holiday). come to think of it, i never had to do a head cleaning on any of my canon printers.

epson: print head is part of printer and has to be replaced at service centre. ink cartridges have chips to ensure that you only use what epson 'thinks' is best for you. ink cartridges are opague so you can't see how much money you are throwing away. easy to find original and third party ink. the print head tends to clog up when you don't print anything for a few days to a week. i had to do head cleaning and nozzle checks before starting any print job because of that. and when the nozzles clog, sometimes it takes two to even four cleaning cycles to clear them.

hp: no personal experience but from friends who use hp printers find the running cost is a huge concern as you have to replace the entire cartridge when one ink runs out. similar to epson, the ink cartridges are opague so you can't see how much money you are throwing away.

in the past, epson was touted to have the best photo printers in the market. today, the other brands have caught up especially canon.

please do not be mistaken that i am pushing you towards canon. i am just giving you my experiences on the two brands that i have used as i print a lot of stuff.

if you need to print a lot of A3 size jobs, having an in-house printer on demand is convenient. if you have to print occasionally, you probably will be better off sending the job out to a service centre for printing. the cost between a A3 and A4 printer is quite huge. this is one decision you will have to make yourself.

[leafleaf]

Originally Posted by jeffreyk there is a promo on HP8450 at HP online store (ending 31 Dec 05). $199 + trade in any printer in working condition.

Thanks! I checked it out. Unfortunately, it's for USA orders only.... :-)

Likewise, i'm tempted to get the HP8450 with or without the offer....

Thanks again.

[leafleaf]

good points comparing between canon, epson and hp.
having used an Epson before, i know what you mean about the clogged nozzles.
happened to me before...

It's better to have the print head with the cartridge. Which is the case for HP and
canon.....

Between the 2 brands, i must confess that i am biased towards HP... :-)
Hmm... will i be printing a lot or occasionally....
something to think about....

thanks

Originally Posted by jfoo i think the question you have to put to yourself what is it you want to print, or print often. i can offer you the following tips: canon: print head is a separate component which is user replaceable. individial ink cartridges allow you to print till the last drop. the ink cartridges are transparent so you can see how much ink you have before you decide to go ahead with a print job when the system tells you ink is out. easy to find original and third party inks. print head doesn't clog up even though i don't print anything for a week or two (when i was away on holiday). come to think of it, i never had to do a head cleaning on any of my canon printers. epson: print head is part of printer and has to be replaced at service centre. ink cartridges have chips to ensure that you only use what epson 'thinks' is best for you. ink cartridges are opague so you can't see how much money you are throwing away. easy to find original and third party ink. the print head tends to clog up when you don't print anything for a few days to a week. i had to do head cleaning and nozzle checks before starting any print job because of that. and when the nozzles clog, sometimes it takes two to even four cleaning cycles to clear them. hp: no personal experience but from friends who use hp printers find the running cost is a huge concern as you have to replace the entire cartridge when one ink runs out. similar to epson, the ink cartridges are opague so you can't see how much money you are throwing away. in the past, epson was touted to have the best photo printers in the market. today, the other brands have caught up especially canon. please do not be mistaken that i am pushing you towards canon. i am just giving you my experiences on the two brands that i have used as i print a lot of stuff. if you need to print a lot of A3 size jobs, having an in-house printer on demand is convenient. if you have to print occasionally, you probably will be better off sending the job out to a service centre for printing. the cost between a A3 and A4 printer is quite huge. this is one decision you will have to make yourself.

[jeffreyk]

Originally Posted by leafleaf Thanks! I checked it out. Unfortunately, it's for USA orders only.... :-) Likewise, i'm tempted to get the HP8450 with or without the offer.... Thanks again.

its for Singapore order. I have ordered & received. $199 is in S$.

pls go to hp Singapore online store, choose the photosmart 8450 & enter the eCoupon :
03PSC12

Hurry offer ends 31 Dec.

[leafleaf]

Piang eh! That is super solid good news!

Jeffrey, thanks a million!

Originally Posted by jeffreyk its for Singapore order. I have ordered & received. $199 is in S$. pls go to hp Singapore online store, choose the photosmart 8450 & enter the eCoupon : 03PSC12 Hurry offer ends 31 Dec.

[leafleaf]

...bought the HP8450 at $199 (trade-in price)
feeling happy with the deal now....


Thanks!