good inexpensive EASY to use printer?

[hempomatic]

I've never had a printer that I've ever been able to just "work". Even with the Mac, it seems there were always hoops to jump through, and since I don't print very OFTEN, I never remember how to do it. My last printer was (is) a Canon MX340, but it's probably at least 5 years old at this point. Even though it's wireless, and the computer recognizes it, the only way I could ever get it to print at all was to use a USB cable, then a couple of other steps so the printer would detect the ink cartridge. It's supposed to be a photo printer, but using photo paper, it would just make a big smear. It usually takes about 1/2 hour, plenty of cursing along with some finger crossing.

Here's what I'd like
1.) Wireless
2.) Reasonably inexpensive
3.) CAPABLE of photo or near photo quality
4.) fax and scan are secondary, but it appears most have that capability anyway.
5.) I would LOVE to just hit "print" and have it print. EASY to operate.

thanks

ken

 

[chscag]

Lots of opinions on printers. But I'll start by saying that I will never buy another Canon anything. I've never had more problems with any printer that I ever owned (Windows or OS X) than the Canon. OK. I've had good luck with Epson (easy wireless setup) and my HP LaserJet. Most folks also recommend Brother as they seem to be easy to setup wireless for OS X. But most inexpensive printers will nickle and dime you to death with replacing ink cartridges. I personally order and use refillable cartridges and have never had a problem with them but your mileage may vary. And by the way, there is no such thing as plug it in, hit print, and it works. All printers have to be setup and configured, especially the wireless ones.

 

[harryb2448]

Good run with Epson wifi printers and Apple automatically updates Epson software. And that setup requires USB connection first off.

 

[chas_m]

If you print very occasionally, I might suggest you look at color laser printers rather than inkjets.

 

[hempomatic]

Chas, I print occasionally based at least partially because of the level of aggravation. I assume the lasers are more expensive, but that's easy enough for me to check on pricing. If printing was less frustrating, I might do it more frequently. Between our new granddaughter and traveling cross country in our RV, I would like to print a few more pictures.

chscag, I did try refillable with the canon, but the software rejected them saying they were incompatible. The refillable cartridge folks were very helpful, but every time I used the printer it required 1/2 dozen steps going between the printer and the computer. Two standard Canon cartridges were equal to the cost of the printer.

Harry, no issues with USB out of the starting block. I probably wouldn't mind every time if it just worked when I needed it to.

Thanks.

ken

 

[lclev]

I am in the same predicament at home. I have a Canon MG9200. Biggest problem is the wifi. I always have to restart the printer to get it to connect. I have trouble with it drying out and I feel like I have to use up a ton of ink to get it to print decently. For a little as I print at home I am thinking of what chas_m suggested and getting a laser printer. I know the cartridges are expensive but I don't print that much. Usually it is something my husband wants done.

Lisa

 

[chscag]

chscag, I did try refillable with the canon, but the software rejected them saying they were incompatible. The refillable cartridge folks were very helpful, but every time I used the printer it required 1/2 dozen steps going between the printer and the computer. Two standard Canon cartridges were equal to the cost of the printer.

Yeah, that can be a problem with the Canon and also HP. However, there are refillable cartridges (for Canon and HP) which will "fool" the idiots who designed the system forcing you to buy their "golden" priced ink cartridges. I used those for awhile with my Canon while it was still alive. Epson printers will warn you about the refillables but then will ask if you want to use it anyway. Just reply yes and press on.

As far as the color laser printers go, they have come down in price for the hardware but you'll get a shocker when you see how expensive color toner is. And guess what, most color lasers use 4 toner cartridges at about $50 to $60 each! Not recommended - at least by me.

You're probably not going to be happy with any of the current line of printers. They are all cheaply made and have very limited warranties - even the so called professional models. If all you wish to do is print color photos and you're traveling about in a RV, just stop off at your local Walgreens or CVS and have them print for you. I find it more convenient and less expensive to have all my color prints done that way. I'm just a very amatuer photographer and not fussy about results.

 

[hempomatic]

If all you wish to do is print color photos and you're traveling about in a RV, just stop off at your local Walgreens or CVS and have them print for you. I find it more convenient and less expensive to have all my color prints done that way. I'm just a very amatuer photographer and not fussy about results.

LOL ! An option that never even OCCURRED to ME !

NOW I'm wondering about on line services that will do your printing and mail them to you. Doesn't shutterfly do something like that?

A couple dozen professionally done photos can't be that much more expensive than a good laser printer with $200 worth of cartridges.

ken

 

[RadDave]

LOL ! An option that never even OCCURRED to ME !

NOW I'm wondering about on line services that will do your printing and mail them to you. Doesn't shutterfly do something like that?

A couple dozen professionally done photos can't be that much more expensive than a good laser printer with $200 worth of cartridges.

Hi Ken - you seemed to be getting excellent printer advice, so I've not 'chimed in', but I do own a Canon Pixma (USB cabled to our iMac) and a Brother B&W Laser (wireless) - both are recent vintage and have AirPrint, so we can easily use our iPads wirelessly to print to either one, and yes it is just press print, walk into the other room, and the printed material is waiting - the Canon also allows me to print directly to a 'printable' CD-R (I occasionally DL MP3 music and like to put it on CD-Rs).

Now, concerning your question above about online print services, I've used AdoramaPix for about 3 years although not recently (I was making picture frames in my basement workshop, framing the prints, and tried to sell at a local crafter's store - a retirement project that kind of flopped) - BUT, as long as you send them large file images (at least 2-3 MPs), the prints returned were excellent -cannot remember the cost, but check the link, if interested - below is a screen capture of my opened account w/ the photos I sent them. Of course, there are plenty of other online services which I have no experience. Good luck - Dave
.

 

[Slydude]

Harry, no issues with USB out of the starting block. I probably wouldn't mind every time if it just worked when I needed it to.

Thanks.

ken

The USB setup that Harry was speaking about doesn't need to be done every time you print. It's part of the initial wireless setup on many of their printers. After that you do not usually have to do it often. Sometimes after a power outage I will have to re-enter the network information.

BTT There are some third party cartridges that the Canon system doesn't complain about (at least on my Pixma MP 990). If you decide yo go with laser printing and want to print photos try to get a look at what the photos will look like. The hast time I looked at this the color printouts of photos looked a bit washed out compared to prints from inkjet printers.

 

[pm-r]

I was going to add a comment about using a print service but I see that's already been done.

And so just to add, I have several clients that ended up doing just that for their occasional printing needs. They have about three icons of places/folders they use on their desktop, and any print job gets sent to the appropriate one and the prints get picked up or even maybe mailed back to them.

They're very happy with the way it works and probably maybe even cheaper than having their own printer(s).