Hardware Best photo Printer?

[DSoryu]

I'm about to buy a new printer, because my old printer is really too outdated and broke a week ago (2002 :o ) so it's a perfect time to upgrade.

Which are the best options in the market? I want one that can print from paper to photos, less ink usage and if possible the cheapest option, I have $600 so that price range will be ok.

Thanks in advance

 

[FAST6191]

$600 buys you a big boy printer, or at least the entry level in that world. Do you actually plan to do much with it? Do we need to find something with a scanner, automated document feeder, double sided, A3, stapling....?

Otherwise these days I have been doing well with getting people a cheap and cheerful laser printer (they get quite small and toner is cheap) and saying "take your photos on a USB drive/SD card/email them to a photograph printing place". For how much they cost most people that just want to print the odd holiday and party are not going to hit the $500 + running costs very quickly, bonus is the proper photo printing places will have proper inks and paper that will last a few years.

 

[trumpet-205]

Do you print a lot of photos?

The most affordable way when it comes to printer is to buy a monochrome laser printer and take your color printing need outside. Like FAST6191 have said, putting them on SD card then taking them to a photo shop.

If you really print a lot of photos each month then color inkjet printer is the way to go.

 

[vayanui8]

I recommend a laserjet if you're looking for durability. Their ink lasts alot longer as well. They are more expensive upfront, especially with color, but you budget seems to support that.

 

[trumpet-205]

I recommend a laserjet if you're looking for durability. Their ink lasts alot longer as well. They are more expensive upfront, especially with color, but you budget seems to support that.

It's toner, not ink.

The advantage of toner is that it is dry powder. It doesn't dry up and clog the cartridge head that normally would happen with color inkjet printer.

 

[3DSXLGamer]

Got a brother monochrome laser printer, damn bro now your printing with power. Fan kicks on, shoots paper out like no ones business.
Plus I'm still on the starter toner and I got the thing last November printing like a madman., thing has a ethernet port so printing online works (just haven't set it up yet, I keep delaying it) but I saw they had a wireless one too.

I still have my older printer for colour and I get fussy everytime I have to use it, you get addicted to the speed.

You'll love it!

 

[vayanui8]

It's toner, not ink.

The advantage of toner is that it is dry powder. It doesn't dry up and clog the cartridge head that normally would happen with color inkjet printer.

Always end up calling it ink lol. Force of habit after years of using an inkjet. The cartridges themselves are much larger as well, so that definitely contributes to them lasting longer.

 

[RandomUser]

I have this brother laser color printer that I bought years ago, and it does everything I want it to do and support duplex scanning and printing and also no problem with it. Now for the photo printing aspect, I don't know if laser printers can even print on photo papers, some people say that the powder would just roll of the paper. The printer supports wireless and Ethernet printing as well. The bad thing about this printer is that it is heavy, but so is all other small office laser printers. Usage cost can be on the high side, but should fit your budget well. Also you can upgrade the memory of this printer as well.

 

[Joe88]

If you are printing photos, stick with inkjet
Also is that 600 in pesos?

 

[trumpet-205]

Now for the photo printing aspect, I don't know if laser printers can even print on photo papers,

You don't want to use photo paper in the first place. The high heat from the fuser will melt the surface of the photo paper, damaging the fuser.

Inkjet is the only way for photo printing. Question is how much photo will you be printing? Unless you print in large volume it doesn't make financial sense to own an inkjet printer.

 

[Joe88]

If you buy remanufactured carts, the ink is pretty cheap, though some brands might cause color degradation

 

[trumpet-205]

If you buy remanufactured carts, the ink is pretty cheap, though some brands might cause color degradation

You can also invest in CIS (continuous ink system).

Both CIS and re-manufactured cartridge are cheap, but many of them have questionable quality (ranging from whether it works, leaks, color degradation, and smudges).

 

[RandomUser]

You don't want to use photo paper in the first place. The high heat from the fuser will melt the surface of the photo paper, damaging the fuser.

Yeah, I figured as such, and I didn't even try. I find that it is cheaper for me to put picture(s) on an SD card, then take it to a local store that does photo printing. I do not have much photos that needs printing. I do more of a regular paper printing, and the nice thing about lasers is that if the printed paper get wet, the printout will not bleed, unlike inkjet, they bleed even when slightly wet.

 

[FAST6191]

Inkjet is far from the only way, or indeed really even the best, for photos. In consumer world I would hold dye-sublimation printers are the better option, assuming you only want "normal" size photos.

That said if the OP wants photos of that size then consider one of those (people tend to get them and use them three times before stashing them in the cupboard) plus a simple laser, black and white or otherwise for day to day use -- something I tend to find most people do not have and a laser spares finding your inks dry/nozzles clogged in the once every three month printer session. By the way modern small lasers can be as small or smaller than any scanner+printer and lighter too.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

Inkjet is far from the only way, or indeed really even the best, for photos. In consumer world I would hold dye-sublimation printers are the better option, assuming you only way "normal" size photos.

That said if the OP wants photos of that size then consider one of those (people tend to get them and use them three times before stashing them in the cupboard) plus a simple laser, black and white or otherwise for day to day use -- something I tend to find most people do not have and a laser spares finding your inks dry/nozzles clogged in the once every three month printer session. By the way modern small lasers can be as small or smaller than any scanner+printer and lighter too.

Ah yes, those were the ones I was thinking of, dye sublimation printers.
They pretty much have the colors contained on separate layers that are "fused" with the paper, and the ink is supposed to stand the test of time much better than other types (which is kind of important for photos)

 

[DSoryu]

If you are printing photos, stick with inkjet
Also is that 600 in pesos?

Nope, dollars, I made an aproximate conversion, in pesos I have around $8300, and I'm about to receive another $600 at weekend.

So an inkjet is the way to go? And a multifunction printer took my attention, specially that Brother one. Like some already said, I indeed print a lot of photos, since in my University we take a lot form conferences and expos (I'm studing Robotics Engineering, and we run a LOT of them, and we need to send a report to another schools and our teachers with photos included, no digital, only phisical). I think that the best way is to purchase a Multifunction printer isn't it?

EDIT:

Inkjet is far from the only way, or indeed really even the best, for photos. In consumer world I would hold dye-sublimation printers are the better option, assuming you only want "normal" size photos.

That said if the OP wants photos of that size then consider one of those (people tend to get them and use them three times before stashing them in the cupboard) plus a simple laser, black and white or otherwise for day to day use -- something I tend to find most people do not have and a laser spares finding your inks dry/nozzles clogged in the once every three month printer session. By the way modern small lasers can be as small or smaller than any scanner+printer and lighter too.

I asked someone for that kind of printer and said me that an alternative and cheaper option is this one: http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.mx...ora-fotografica-tinta-continua-para-cd-dvd-_J. Maybe I should choose that, I don't really seem to know the difference but looks like to be a good choice.

 

[FAST6191]

That printer (epson-l800) looks like one that officially has a continuous ink system, basically a normal inkjet but can do refills by yourself. I would check to see how easy it is to find ink, original or replacement and know that if you have to find it last thing on a Sunday evening you are possible going to struggle. Likewise you may also wish to see how long they plan to support things here -- epson are pretty good but if you are used to having things be supported/working for 10 years then you may be in for a surprise.
Dye sublimation printers, which are a somewhat different concept, can be quite cheap, a lot of people get them with digital cameras (they often do bundle deals), print three times (one to test, one because they think it is a good idea and a final one for an elderly relative) before never using the thing again and as such tend to be happy with letting them go for next to nothing. However if you have to do reports then you probably want A4 size. Mind you if you are doing "proper" reports with figures and photos referenced at the back then you could stick them in as a proper photo album of sorts (even come with the bonus of being easily available in hardback form)/or use a4 slip wallets.