Need advice on printer to order tomorrow

[RichNY]

I went to the local Apple store today to pick up a 24" iMac and they have a $100 off printer rebate going on. Since I don't have a color printer and my laser is old an in another room I figure it makes sense to buy one now.

What should I get? I'm leaning towards the Canon MP600. I'd like to be able to use this as my daily printer as well as for some color photos when convenient but I'll be primarily using outsourced printing for my photographs.

Here's the link to the web site showing which printers there are to choose from: http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/24.RSLID?ps=1&nclm=80FB2123

I thank you in advance for your suggestions.
(I know there is a printing forum but this where the best advice seems to come from and section that gets the most views from people in the know)

[noyjimi]

Looks like a good choice on paper, but is it missing fax? Do you need fax? Also, how much daily printing did you do with the laser? Because the inky will cost relatively more just so you know.

[JMWallace]

Not that it is an end all - to be all, but Consumer Reports rates some of the Canon Pixma series the best on all counts for text quality, picture quality and graphics quality. With the exception of the iP6600D. Top rated was the iP5200R.

Also, you could check out Jeff's other site. http://www.printerspot.com/

I have an HP Photosmart 8250 and have gotten a lot of compliments on the prints I've made, BUT when I bought it there wasn't much info out on it. At the time I was debating between (yet) another HP or go Canon. Wish I would have gone for the Canon.

IMHO, I would stay away from a combo. If the fax breaks down and you have to send it in for service...you will also be doing without your printer. Never been a combo fan.

Good luck -

Jeff

[RichNY]

Looks like a good choice on paper, but is it missing fax? Do you need fax? Also, how much daily printing did you do with the laser? Because the inky will cost relatively more just so you know.

Great catch- I didn't realize it didn't have a fax.

A fax would be nice- I'd be willing to pay a few extra $$$ for a fax, but I'd give it up if it meant a lesser print quality.

The printer won't be doing an excessive amount of printing.

Given this information, what do you think would be the best printer for the task?

[ReF]

rich:

hmm, i shoulda read this before the two other replies. at least you'll know - might come in handy sometime.

[RichNY]

rich:

hmm, i shoulda read this before the two other replies. at least you'll know - might come in handy sometime.

I really appreciate your PMs; if Photography is going to take me to the poor house you certainly know all the back roads to get me there quicker, but in style;)

You should really think about taking what you sent me and making it into an information post on the board so others can benefit by it also.

[adam75south]

(I know there is a printing forum but this where the best advice seems to come from and section that gets the most views from people in the know)
yea no kiddin...i made a post about monitor calibration in one of the general sections and i got like 2 replies with nothing of what i was looking for...i make one about card readers in this section and there's two pages in a day.:D this is now my general section.

personally i don't have a scanner, i'd go with this one.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/6.RSLID?mco=44F6B82F&nplm=TK684LL%2FA
or this one
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/9.RSLID?mco=417EEF70&nplm=TK663LL%2FA

and 1 picoliter drops should be more than enough for printing proofs.

[RichNY]

Adam thanks for the reply. After noyjimi pointed out that there was no fax I went back and it looked like the 530 (your first pick) and the 800 were the two best Canon choices.

'd rather be able to copy, fax, and scan than have an LCD viewer and the ability to plug a memory card into the printer and print directly- something I don't think I'd ever use.

I don't know how others use this site but I choose New Posts every time I log in and get all the unread posts across all the forums. It seems that many people just go to their favorite forums so that's why it works against you to post under the appropriate sections.

[aparmley]

No offense or anything Rich, but maybe this should have been down in the Printer forums??

Since you aren't going to be printing pictures that much perhaps a cheap HP. But . . . you could make that $100 go further in picking up an Epson so you have the choice to print and excellent high quality archival quality print when you need it, check out the R1800 . . . :p

[adam75south]

I don't know how others use this site but I choose New Posts every time I log in and get all the unread posts across all the forums. It seems that many people just go to their favorite forums so that's why it works against you to post under the appropriate sections.
yea i just come straight to this forum and read the posts in here. i only go to the others when i get REALLY bored.

[timmciglobal]

Only thing that turns me off about epson is the fact you can't replace the print heads.

The 8 color system from epson is supose to be amazing though.

I've debated buying a canon I9900 for some 13x19s.

Tim

[RichNY]

No offense or anything Rich, but maybe this should have been down in the Printer forums??

Since you aren't going to be printing pictures that much perhaps a cheap HP. But . . . you could make that $100 go further in picking up an Epson so you have the choice to print and excellent high quality archival quality print when you need it, check out the R1800 . . . :p

I prefer it here... I know I knew I could count on you guys for responses.

The R1800 looks like an incredible printer but I'd prefer to have the multi-function capabilities to being able to print larger at home. Would have been nice to get both.

Q. Are the Epsons the only printers that can print on CD/DVDs? I didn't see this as a feature listed for any of the Canons.

I've got 24 hours before my Mac ships to change my order. As it stands now I'm going with the MP830. (It was same price as MP530)

[noyjimi]

Q. Are the Epsons the only printers that can print on CD/DVDs? I didn't see this as a feature listed for any of the Canons.

Yes, of the major printer manufacturers (not talking about a Casio or whatever). This is due to a patent in the U.S. market by Epson. You could try to get a tray off eBay, or make one, and use it with a Canon, or import an international model.

Another option is LightScribe, which is not quite printing, but just wanted to mention it.

[aparmley]

I prefer it here... I know I knew I could count on you guys for responses.

The R1800 looks like an incredible printer but I'd prefer to have the multi-function capabilities to being able to print larger at home. Would have been nice to get both.

Q. Are the Epsons the only printers that can print on CD/DVDs? I didn't see this as a feature listed for any of the Canons.

I've got 24 hours before my Mac ships to change my order. As it stands now I'm going with the MP830. (It was same price as MP530)

I know what you mean Rich. . . just for the sake of saying it I started with the Canon i960, after a while I decided to do most of my prints online because it was more cost effective to do so. . . I've since decided, for the exact same reasons as Don mentioned in THIS (http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24767) thread and also because I'm tired of getting prints that have been damaged during the shipping process. All the time it takes to upload to the printing site of my choice, attempting to get the profiles and images edited the way I need to so they come out they I want, wasting time with service departments because my order showed up with every single image bent on all 4 sides, the time waiting for reprints. . . then still not getting a result thats remotely close to my calibrated monitor - arggg define frustrating. At first I didn't know enough to notice the difference, but now when I get images that are a little darker than I wanted or the colors are just a skoosh off it bugs me something terrible. . . Just thought I'd share my evolution thus far incase it proves useful to anyone. [odd sound] There, I feel better - LMAO - you guys are so lucky you can't smell this! :D

[timmciglobal]

I bought a HP All-in-one for 200. It doesn't match that well yet but honestly it does pretty good for non professional results.

Tim

[RichNY]

I started with the Canon i960

What's your printing solution today?
Hmm... wonder if that should be the name of a new thread?