Hi! Community board refugee here looking to pick some brains and get some solid advice.
Here's the scenario;
Our 3rd printer in eight years (HP 8250) recently decided to still work but no longer produce vibrant color prints. (Yes, we've changed cartridges and had the machine do self-maintainence to attempt to unclog the printer heads with no success.) I use the printer strictly for my business, and my usage is maybe 10-20 sheets of paper per day. DW, on the other hand, will print anywhere from 5-20 photos per day (she teaches Pre-k and takes pictures daily of the class in activities) and is very particular about photo quality. If it matters, we use a Canon SD-500 to take the shots.
It's time for a new one, and we're a little tired of buying a new one every two years or so. We've decided that we're willing to spend up to $500 (although we'd love to spend less) for the RIGHT printer if that stops the need to buy a new one every two years for $200 or under. For instance, we used to buy the cheapie $150 gas grill, use it for two years until it rusted out and then just bought another. We finally bought a $500 Weber a decade ago and still love it. The philosophy is by spending more up front we spend less in the long run, and we hope it might be the same way here.
Here's what the RIGHT printer needs to have;
-Outstanding photo quality
-Reasonable speed (especially for my non-photo stuff that will have some color in the printing)
-Durability
Here's what we DON'T need and are not interested in paying for;
-Oversized prints. (99% of all prints will be 4x6. I think we've done 2 or 3
8 x10's in the last five years and never had a need for anything larger)
-No All-In-One Machines. I already have a fax and scanner, and they're fine.
We're not novices at all, so get as technical as you want. DW would prefer to stay with HP, for what it's worth. We've already done a great deal of homework, but I'd be interested in hearing what advice you folks have to offer.
Many, many thanks in advance!
Here's the scenario;
Our 3rd printer in eight years (HP 8250) recently decided to still work but no longer produce vibrant color prints. (Yes, we've changed cartridges and had the machine do self-maintainence to attempt to unclog the printer heads with no success.) I use the printer strictly for my business, and my usage is maybe 10-20 sheets of paper per day. DW, on the other hand, will print anywhere from 5-20 photos per day (she teaches Pre-k and takes pictures daily of the class in activities) and is very particular about photo quality. If it matters, we use a Canon SD-500 to take the shots.
It's time for a new one, and we're a little tired of buying a new one every two years or so. We've decided that we're willing to spend up to $500 (although we'd love to spend less) for the RIGHT printer if that stops the need to buy a new one every two years for $200 or under. For instance, we used to buy the cheapie $150 gas grill, use it for two years until it rusted out and then just bought another. We finally bought a $500 Weber a decade ago and still love it. The philosophy is by spending more up front we spend less in the long run, and we hope it might be the same way here.
Here's what the RIGHT printer needs to have;
-Outstanding photo quality
-Reasonable speed (especially for my non-photo stuff that will have some color in the printing)
-Durability
Here's what we DON'T need and are not interested in paying for;
-Oversized prints. (99% of all prints will be 4x6. I think we've done 2 or 3
8 x10's in the last five years and never had a need for anything larger)
-No All-In-One Machines. I already have a fax and scanner, and they're fine.
We're not novices at all, so get as technical as you want. DW would prefer to stay with HP, for what it's worth. We've already done a great deal of homework, but I'd be interested in hearing what advice you folks have to offer.
Many, many thanks in advance!
