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Eug · Jan 19, 2003, 02:50 PM

A friend wants an inkjet printer. I recommended a cheap laser, but she wants colour support.

So what is a good USB inkjet printer with excellent OS X drivers and OK print quality? One feature needed is separate colour and black ink cartridges, but there is no need for true photo quality prints. Also, availability of relatively cheap cartridges would be a big bonus.

I'm thinking in the sub US$80 range, but if necessary she can go up to the sub $125 range (CAD$200).

mindwaves · Jan 19, 2003, 03:06 PM

Try an Epson 860. My family got one for $100 with a $20 rebate. It has separate color (I think 4) and black.

Eug · Jan 19, 2003, 03:16 PM

Originally posted by mindwaves:
Try an Epson 860. My family got one for $100 with a $20 rebate. It has separate color (I think 4) and black.

Does that printer still exist? I don't see it on Epson's website.

I'm thinking along the lines of the Epson 820 Stylus Photo. I have an 890 that makes good pictures, but I only use it on a Windows box, so I don't know how good the OS X drivers are. (My Epson scanner works great works in OS X so that's one reason I'm thinking Epson.)

X-Ray · Jan 19, 2003, 05:05 PM

Having owned and used Epson, Canon and HP printers and used them all with OSX I would recommend HP. Their drivers are the best. With Epson custom paper sizes don't work so you're stuck using 8X10. Canon's are expensive and if their heads clog they're dead and can't be revived. So I've settled on an HP Photosmart 7150. Custom paper sizes work so I can print photos on whatever size paper I want. The print heads don't clog and text is ok although I only use it for photos. Text goes to my laser printer. By the way if you bump your price range up to about $149 you'll really increase your choices.

rambo47 · Jan 19, 2003, 05:47 PM

I've always had good luck with Epsons. I have the Stylus Color 880 and it was truely "plug & play." Epsons are ink hogs, but it's not that much worse than any of the others, just slightly less economical. My Epson was supported in OS X right out of the box, and USB Printer Sharing was a snap.

proux · Jan 19, 2003, 07:07 PM

If you want a photo printer these Epson 785EPX are going for pretty cheap now, the used to cost over $150...

mindwaves · Jan 19, 2003, 08:33 PM

Originally posted by Eug:
Does that printer still exist? I don't see it on Epson's website.

I'm thinking along the lines of the Epson 820 Stylus Photo. I have an 890 that makes good pictures, but I only use it on a Windows box, so I don't know how good the OS X drivers are. (My Epson scanner works great works in OS X so that's one reason I'm thinking Epson.)

Oops, it was the 820 SP (I am almost sure on this).

Peter · Jan 21, 2003, 11:44 AM

I also am looking for a printer, a QUIET printer, is there a cheapish one ?

Socially Awkward Solo · Jan 22, 2003, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by X-Ray:
Having owned and used Epson, Canon and HP printers and used them all with OSX I would recommend HP. Their drivers are the best.

That is a joke right? Remember the whole HP drivers slow down your whole damn OS issue a month ago? Also the drivers for the HP all in ones are possibly the worst software ever made.

I was using over a year old drivers with my Epson C80 on 10.1.3 and it worked perfectly.

X-Ray · Jan 22, 2003, 11:09 PM

A couple of clarifications. To begin with, the slowdown was NEVER an issue with either the HP 952 or Photosmart 7150 in OS X (which I use 99% of the time). Second if Epsons are so cool in OS X try printing in a paper size other than 8x10. Ain't gonna happen bucko. They won't do custom paper sizes. The HP's will!

Socially Awkward Solo · Jan 22, 2003, 11:43 PM

Originally posted by X-Ray:
A couple of clarifications. To begin with, the slowdown was NEVER an issue with either the HP 952 or Photosmart 7150 in OS X (which I use 99% of the time).

Wow, it didn't happen with 2 of their printers. wow.

Back up 15 and punt · Jan 23, 2003, 12:12 AM

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
Wow, it didn't happen with 2 of their printers. wow.

The slow downs happened with the photosmart printers (7350 and 7550) until 10.2.3. Either HP fixed the problem which was included in the OS update or it was an Apple problem all along. The other devices that also created slow downs were the All In One devices and the scanners. Again 10.2.3 supposedly fixed the problems with the All In One's but not the scanners.

joe · Jan 23, 2003, 08:44 PM

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
That is a joke right? Remember the whole HP drivers slow down your whole damn OS issue a month ago? Also the drivers for the HP all in ones are possibly the worst software ever made.

No, my HP930 didn't have any driver problems from OS9.04 when I bought it through Jag. The "HP drivers slow down" you mention didn't effect the majority of their printers - only the newly released printers with Digitial Camera access and multifunctions. HP fixed it in short order. Not sure where you're getting your info from but I've actually owned an HP for 3 years now and you're way off here.

I was using over a year old drivers with my Epson C80 on 10.1.3 and it worked perfectly.

Yeah, that figures.......joe

AU_student_iceBook · Jan 23, 2003, 09:44 PM

Originally posted by Eug:
A friend wants an inkjet printer.....I'm thinking in the sub US$80 range, but if necessary she can go up to the sub $125 range (CAD$200).

I would recommend the Epson C62 seperate tanks, good drivers and $70. Another important factor is that the refills for it are cheap too.
Good Luck.

Paul S · Jan 27, 2003, 10:48 AM

I've been using a Epson Stylus Photo 870 and it's been fantstic. Epson drivers are very stable. I've had it from 9.0.4 up to 10.2.3.