Computer Printer - recommendation required

[Stanfordian]

My computer printer a Kodak ESP3 is kaput. I would welcome a recommendation for an easy to use model that just carries out the basic operations. Oh, and where to get it.

[Anna]

If I were to buy a new printer the main deciding factor would be the cost of replacement ink cartridges. I have a LexMark all-in-one, lovely printer but the cost of genuine cartridges is more than the cost of a new printer, even the generic replacements don't come cheap.

[Don Petter]

I've always used HPs, at work and at home. They have the advantage that the print head is in the cartridge, so it gets replaced when they do, though I know many people like Epsons, which don't do this, but may therefore have cheaper cartridges (and often single colour ones, which means you don't have to replace a multicoloured one when just one colour has finished).

I'd go to Argos, and pay with my Nectar points instead of money. Otherwise see what offers PCWorld, et al have. Places like Staples, in my experience, are usually not as cheap.

Oh, and to find some user reviews of any particular model, Amazon is usually a good place, even if you don't buy from them, though that might be a source at a good price anyway.

Hope this may help.

[Don Petter]

If I were to buy a new printer the main deciding factor would be the cost of replacement ink cartridges. I have a LexMark all-in-one, lovely printer but the cost of genuine cartridges is more than the cost of a new printer, even the generic replacements don't come cheap.

I get my cartridges on eBay, sticking to sealed original manufacturer ones (HP in my case) but not worrying if the are nominally out of date. Typically half of current shop price or less, and never had a problem with one.

[scottycelt]

Depends whether you are prepared to splash out on a colour laser or are happy with an inkjet.

The HP multifunctions are excellent ... I currently have an inexpensive F4500 which does everything I need regarding printing, scanning and copying.

I agree with the suggestion to buy new cartridges from Amazon but wouldn't touch places like PCWorld with a barge pole. Again, Amazon (or more correctly the trader concerned) will generally supply cheaper (and deliver direct to your door) and all the specs are listed which you can study at your leisure unlike listening to a spotty part-time teenager who probably knows a lot less than you and, in any case, is only really interested in his commission.

Apologies to any spotty, part-time teenagers here ... I was once one myself and only really interested in my commission ... so nothing personal!

[amateur51]

Apologies to any spotty, part-time teenagers here ... I was once one myself and only really interested in my commission ... so nothing personal!

What in the name of sense is a 'part-time teenager'?

[Stillhomewardbound]

I'm with Don Petter on this one. The likes of PC World, Rymans and Sainsburys apply generous mark-ups to such consumables.

Here's a search from ebay ... featuring mainly generics.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=Kodak+ESP3+INK+CARTRIDGE&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Tricky thing about generics is there are 'same as ... ' and 'nothing the same as ...' possibilities.

[DracoM]

Slightly off topic: Dell ink jet ink cartridges. My printer requires a Series 8 cartridge. I cannot find a firm that does Series 8 type cartridges. Dell's own replacement cartridge prices are obscenely expensive, and I see that HP, Lexmark etc etc all have generic parallels, but AFAIK not Dell. Help please.

[mercia]

?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=dell+series+8+ink&_sacat=See-All-Categories

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

What in the name of sense is a 'part-time teenager'?

I refer the respected 'Boarder to several of the Threads hereabouts commenting on Suzy Klein, Janine Jansen etc etc!

Back to the header: a couple of weeks ago my last printer packed in three weeks after the Warranty ran out! (No names of maker, but when a small boy just passing asked "Was that the one you took to the recycling plant, Mr Ferneyhg?" I replied, "yEpson, it was.")

So, from the river people, I ordered an HP Deskjet 1000 for less than £20: it arrived (free delivery) a couple of days later and it has been chugging along pleasantly since doing nothing but basic printing very satisfactorily. Replacement ink is just over half what I used to have to pay, too!

Hope this is useful, StanLeg: best wishes!

[Stunsworth]

I have a cheap Samsung b&w laser printer. Does everything I need. For photographs I have an Epson 3800, but I use the Samsung for text.

[Stanfordian]

Thanks everyone for your kind assistance. I have ordered a HP F4500 as used by scottycelt.

I wonder scottycelt if you can tell me where you get your printer cartridges from?

[DracoM]

See four postings above.

[mercia]

?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=hp+f4500+ink&_sacat=See-All-Categories

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Both inkjet and laser colour printers have their advantages. I'm lucky enough to have both, using the HP Colour Laserjet for normal text and graphics, saving the HP photo inket printer for photographs.