[Macogenes]

I'm in the market to buy a nice color inkjet printer, but have sensory overload from the bewildering array from which to choose. So, I just wanted to get anyone's opinions on their experience with good inkjet printers, namely, what brands or models seem to work best with Macs. I'm not looking for a comprensive review, maybe just something to point me in the right direction.

For example, though I have no experience with them myself, I hear that HP printers aren't so hot because the drivers stink. On the other hand, my only experience with a color inkjet was when I first bought my computer; I grabbed an Epson something or other (it was about $125) and was rather disappointed with the print speed (I wound up taking it back in for a Brother HL-1240, which I am generally satisfied with).

My preferences are only that the printer have at least 1200 x 600 DPI, run on the quiet side, hover around $200 and, for god's sake, have few problems with the drivers.

Oh, yeah: I'm running a 533mhz G4 (Digital Audio), with USBs and all that good stuff.

Any help would be great--and much appreciated!

Thanks,

Theocrates

[OldManMac]

The printer you buy depends on what you want to print with it. HP and Lexmark are generally better at text, and Epsons are generally better at color printing. I've owned six printers in the last six years, from all three companies I mentioned. I currently have an Epson Photo 870, because I've rekindled my interest in nature photography, and the Epson, being a six color printer, does a superb job on photo prints! It has been replaced by the Epson 820. The Lexmark inkjets I've owned (3 of them), have done a superb job at document work, but Lexmarks tend to be a little noisier.

[Paul S]

I used to have an older Epson and was also not pleased. I got a Epson Photo 870 as well about a year ago and can't be happier. I also print photographs with mine and have not seen a better printer (with the excpetion of the newer 820 mentioned above). Text is around 8ppm I think. I don't do much text so it's not an issue.

[xyber233]

The current epsons are excellent printers. They are inexpenive, have incredible print quality, and are very reliable. I don't like HPs as much because the epson has better quality printing IMO.

[PeteWK]

First, I have to admit that I'm somewhat of an Epson freak. I've owned 3 or 4 HPs, and they were fine printers. But they had an annoying habit of jamming when using heavy weight paper. The Epsons are straight through machines. I print ALOT! And my needs may not be just what your's are but I'll give it a shot.

I currently own the following Epsons (with brief blurb)

740 - liked it better than the 777 by about 15 %, gave it to a friend who needed a printer $NA

777 - cheap, good machine, moderately noisy, a little slow $80

880 - cheap, quiet, slower than the 777, uses too much ink, very nice graphics $160

980 - best all around printer I've ever owned, workhorse, fast, efficient with ink, good color printing, but VERY NOISY, handles 110 lb card stock $250

1280 - Uses a lot of ink, Photo printer goes all the way out to the side of the paper, quiet, prints up to something like 13 X 19 (I need it for 11 X 17) $500

C80 - This is the printer for you. I think it will be replacing the 980. Nearly as fast, very quiet, individual ink cartridges, will accept 110 card stock (but needs to be fed in one at a time). $170 I really like this machine. I use it and the 980 as a printing press basically with great results.

PeteWK

[turner]

Like some others said, depends on what you are printing, but if doing photos get the Canon S800. Super photo printer and good with text also.
Very quite and fast.

Rusty