inkjet printers

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Hi

our latest inkjet printer (Epson) has just died and now goes on the pile of two dead Canons to be taken to e-waste when I get around to it. All three of them have a fair bit of (now unusable) ink in them.

I am getting a bit sick of making generous donations to big corporations - does anyone have an opinion on which inkjet printer might just possibly work a bit longer than the warranty period? - or should I get a laser printer?

Thanks, Ray

[PCH (Paul)]

There was a media release recently of a new Epson inkjet printer that takes much larger, and therefore more economically viable, ink cartridges.

The cartridges were maybe half a litre of each colour at a time or something like that. It was definitely Epson but I can't remember the model number.

Your experience is the very reason I don't bother with inkjet colours any more. More ink was spent doing cleaning cycles than printing, and then either the printer dies or the ink just dries up in periods of no use.

Now I make do with a cheap and cheerful very fast Brother laser printer/scanner/copier.

But of course that doesn't help if you need a colour printout.

[dannat (Daniel)]

if you want inkjet to continually work it is a lot of work -bit like owning a RC or newt..you have to continually clean after use, store the ink in the fridge between times..cheaper to get stuff printed at harvey norman - or as Paul sugest sget a laser -can let them sit for yrs & theyll fire up & print..1 last thing avoid canon

[doppler (Rick)]

I too have gone through a few (not so cheap) canon printers. Our current printer (still going strong for the last couple of years now) is a $100 multifunction "Brother MFC-J430W" Printer. It has 4 individual ink cartdriges, so cheap to get refills. We have been using "calidad high capacity" refills since we got the printer without problem. This is an older model so probably not available anymore but is the longest lasting inkjet I have had. This printer gets a good daily workout though, lots of fresh ink going through might help its reliability?

[csb (Craig)]

We have 2 Epsons but probably won't buy again.

When a colour catridge is empty the printers WON'T print. We must buy a replacement cartridge even if just want to print in black. What a ripoff!

And, as has been said, the bubblejet cartridges may dry out/become blocked if not used often.

So we'll be trying a laser printer next time. Otherwise Epsons have been great and economical.

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

I have a Brother too ... Went over to Europe for 6 months. Came back turned it on and it printed perfectly .That was last year. Did the same this year. Same result. Worked perfectly.
Though I do get a bit frustrated with the a3 print section.
Doesn't like some orientations with certain papers.

6990 model. Photocopies and scans well works well printing wifi too.

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Thanks all - appreciate the good advice.

Will look at a Brother for "occasional colour" and get a laser to do the rest.

regards Ray