Don't want this Dell printer!

[MARY-IN-OH]

Hi,
I have a Dell printer that came with the pc we bought a couple of years ago. The quality is not that great. It is an A920

Would like to buy something to print occasional photos (I use online service for most pics), also for kids homework and I may start trying to do some scrapbooking.

(sorry if dumb question!), but since Dell seems picky about using only "their" ink which is mega $$$$, can you even hook up another brand printerto this dell computer? (it is a Dell 4600)
Thanks!
-mary

 

[AbbysFamily]

Yes you can change printers... Shouldn't be any problem, especially if you are running windows XP.

I'm a bit partial to epson photo printers, but there are several out there, and many you can get after-market ink for to bring down the prices more than the one you posted.

 

[manning]

Sure, one of two things will happen when you plug external hardware (printer is hardware). what is needed are drivers. This is software that tells the computer what it is and how to handle it. If there are not drivers already loaded it will ask you to load them from a cd that came with the hardware. Everything will be spelled out on what to do.

 

[photo_chick]

DOn't know the specifics of the computer aspect of your question. I can say that I love my Epson printer. I have an R1800. I am partial to Epson, I think right now they have the better photo printers. They use a different type print head than some of the other inket printers. If you are looking for a letter sized printer check out the Epson Ultra High Definition printers.

Also, with most printers you will pay a premium for ink. That is just the way it is. I don't recommend getting the off brand or store brand inks. They will void your warranty, and they will generally not give you the same quality prints you will get with the manufacturers ink. Several factors like particle size, pigment color and the vehicle will affect how well the ink works. There are a few exceptions to this, like the inkpress inks, but they cost about as much as teh name brand for my printer!

 

[ukcatfan]

I do not do much at home printing, but I have a Canon that allows yu to change each color as individual cartriges that run about $10 each. You never run out of all colors at the same time, so I realy like this feature. Also, as much as I hate to say it having lived in Lexington, KY for years while attending UK; Lexmark makes junk these days, so avoid them. I had bad paper feed problems on three different models.

Kevin

 

[photo_chick]

I agree with the Lexmark assesment. THey used to make great printers, but now they are somewhat disposable. I got one for DD and died right after I bought new ink for it. Got a replacement under warranty and it too died just after a year.

MY Epson also uses individual ink tanks. They run abour $11 each, but there are 8. Good thing the don't run out all at once!

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

you guys are awesome! Thanks!
-mary

 

[Master Mason]

I'll make a plug for the HP Photosmart D7160 I have sitting on my desk. It to has individual inks 5 colors and a black. They run about 10 bucks each. Has a dedicated 4x6 compartment, so I can have the photo paper loaded to use as I want, plus it is reasonably fast printing work stuff.

 

[MICKEY88]

I agree with avoiding aftermarket inks, I've read too many reviews in the past few years...

results have varied from ink so thick that it clogged print heads, to ink so thin that it leaked out all over the place....manufacturers specially formulate their inks to give optimum results with their printers...

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

I'll make a plug for the HP Photosmart D7160 I have sitting on my desk. It to has individual inks 5 colors and a black. They run about 10 bucks each. Has a dedicated 4x6 compartment, so I can have the photo paper loaded to use as I want, plus it is reasonably fast printing work stuff.

Thanks Master Mason! so about how much for the printer do you think? And where to purchase? Office Max/Staples? Or, a best buy/circuit city type store? Can I purchase refill ink there too? (I sure do not like the online ordering of ink from Dell !!). I am hoping to get one soon, as my Dell is "yelling" at me that I need to buy ink!
-mary

 

[Master Mason]

Thanks Master Mason! so about how much for the printer do you think? And where to purchase? Office Max/Staples? Or, a best buy/circuit city type store? Can I purchase refill ink there too? (I sure do not like the online ordering of ink from Dell !!). I am hoping to get one soon, as my Dell is "yelling" at me that I need to buy ink!
-mary

I bought mine at Staples I believe, and it was around 150 I think. Office Max had it, as did Best buy. Amazon currently has it for $119 to give you a current price comparison.

 

[YEKCIM]

I have two Canon IP3000 printers, scattered about my home network, and one in reserve, purchased a couple years ago, when rebates made purchase of the printers less costly than buying the requisite ink cartridges separately. They go thru the ink pretty quickly, but the replacements are pretty cheap, and can be replaced individually (C/M/Y/K) and the quality of the prints is outstanding, IMO, if I use good quality glossy photo paper. My dad also has an IP3000, and has had the same experience with his that I have had with ours. The IP3000 will also automatically duplex (print both sides), which is sometimes a plus. No idea what Canon has on the market right now, but I'm happy enough with the IP3000, that I'd buy another Canon w/o hesitating.

~YEKCIM

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

You guys are the best for great suggestions! This will help me to be more confident when I go and take a look at the stores!
mary

 

[MICKEY88]

I forgot to mention, I have also discovered that there is no such thing as bargain photo paper, I bought some that was supposed to be good quality,,

I have 2 boxes of it that I will give away... an hour after printing the ink was either wet or tacky..... so now I only use Kodak or HP paper...



I have an HP 7550 photo printer it is awesome...I'm thinking of buying another HP to mount in the trunk of the Black Pearl so I can print pics at car shows

 

[Anewman]

This Epson Multifunction is a bargain, and consumables are on the low end(cost wise).

http://shop4.outpost.com/%7BqwliZtIErQsJY6mo9nwaqQ**.node3%7D/product/5093195;jsessionid=qwliZtIErQsJY6mo9nwaqQ**.node3?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

 

[photo_chick]

I forgot to mention, I have also discovered that there is no such thing as bargain photo paper, I bought some that was supposed to be good quality,,

I have 2 boxes of it that I will give away... an hour after printing the ink was either wet or tacky..... so now I only use Kodak or HP paper...

I somewhat agree with this. Most of the "other" brand papers out there are not good. I have ried just about every kind. I did find one that give superior results with my printer (an Epson R1800) that is the Inkpress brand papers ( http://www.inkpresspaper.com ). Though they are not much cheaper in cost than the Epson brand! They give me better quality in my printer than any other paper, including the Epson brand papers, that I have tried. But I think what works for each printer varies since ther are so many different ink types that the printer companies use. I tried the inkpress papers in ym DD's HP and they were just ok, so each printer model is different.

If you want to print up to 13" wide check out the Epson R1800. It is a beastly looking thing, but it is awesome! Also Epson has an online ink store too, though I order my ink from Staples online.

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

Hi !!

I did it !! Not only did I buy a printer, but I set it up myself! I felt so much better having had your advice with me (yeah, I copied and pasted your posts and took them to the store with me!).

Staples had printers half off. Got an HP 7360. $149 with a $75 rebate! It was really easy to do the rebate online and you can track it too!

I do want to try the HP ream paper though. The copier paper I had laying around got stuck in the printer and kept getting kind of crumpled.

But the photos I have played around are beautiful! I even printed some of my 5 x 7 photpass photos from my CD. It is really easy to use, and I love being able to put the memory card right from the camera to print a couple pics if I need something quickly.

Told the kids and DH they can use that crappy ol' dell printer for now! This HP is mine!!

Thanks to all of you!!

Now I'm gonna start a scrapbook for last year's trip and maybe make t-shirt transfers for our sept 07 trip with this printer!
-mary

 

[manning]

Here is something you will like about your printer.

HP cartridges have the print heads built in.

In other words every time you change a cartridge you are changing the print head. You won't have to worry about clogged or worn out heads. It could happen (clog) if you let the printer sit a very long time without use due to ink drying in the heads.

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

Here is something you will like about your printer.

HP cartridges have the print heads built in.

In other words every time you change a cartridge you are changing the print head. You won't have to worry about clogged or worn out heads. It could happen (clog) if you let the printer sit a very long time without use due to ink drying in the heads.

Very cool !! Thanks for letting me know that. Tonight I am going to get a ream of HP paper. I hope that when I do that, it won't jam anymore. My daughter tried to use it yesterday (even though I told them it's "my printer!). And the crappy copy paper jammed.

mary