Printer Help

[zgrm100]

Hi guys so I need some help. Years ago I followed you advice and got an R200 and loved it...

I now need a new printer with the following criteria...

I need to be able to easily refill it with good generic ink which needs to be cheaper then OEM...
It need to do double sided printing.
Photos aren't necessary, but color is hence Im leaning towards an inkjet...

Also I would prefer to have a built in paper tray so the paper doesnt stick out, but that's not crucial...

Again, most importantly is double-sided prints, and easily refillable with cheaper ink. I have used www.megatoners.com but their ink sucks in my r200 and the colors arent accurate... They are really cheap however I would like something of a bit higher quality.

Oh and if an AIO exists that I would be able to use as a copier as well would be great. I am a big fan of HP but Im not up to speed on the latest easily refillable printers. Thank in advance.

[tenders]

nowadays you can buy a new printer(including the ink) cheaper than the ink itself. :P

[neomaine]

zgrm100,

Will you be doing anything else, say out of the ordinary like printing disks, outside of single/double sided documents or envelopes?

If not, I'd recommend a color laser. I've got a samsung CLP-510(?) that my family's been using for a couple of years now. Best $199 I ever spent. We've printed literally thousands of pages on the original 'starter' cartridges. Its not photo quality but does great color work, especially in solid or gradient shades, and has nice solid blacks for text documents. Its been through three golf tournament flyers-registration forms-(full color) sponsor ads and who knows how much homework for the kids with no paper wrinkles from wet ink. The only thing I wish I would have done was get the network option so my computer didn't have to be on to print from. Most printers in that range have it built in now. Cartridges run $40-$50 for 2000 sheet and $60-$75 for 5000 sheet. There's no way I'd go back to buying the $60-$100 inkjets, and even with bargain refills, end up being more expensive. No cartridges to deal with, no cleaning them and wasting ink, no realignment, no drying out.

I'm not sure what the latest models are but I'd recommend taking a look at the color laser family if you're doing semi-serious printing.

[Faustus]

nowadays you can buy a new printer(including the ink) cheaper than the ink itself. :P

Yes but often those ink carts now hold way less then the store purchased ones do. In some cases next to no ink at all!