Windows 7: What's a good printer?

Home use.
Not used extensively.
Don't do pictures.

Looking for advise on an inexpensive flatbed 4 in 1 printer. I need a dedicated FAX (can use without PC).

Print, scan, copy, fax.

Printer ink costs are important. Some state that multiple cartridges are great while others state that they all need to be replaced almost at the same time and that a black and color cartridge are fine.

My Epson C60 purchased in 2003 is still working fine with Windows 7. But it may be time to upgrade to something that does a little more.

If you do LOTS of text printing, and NO photo prints, consider a cheap laser 4 in 1. Injet cart replacements are crazy-expensive if you do much printing, unless you opt for the 3rd party ink refills. I've got a decent HP OfficeJet (actually have 2 of them) but I have a lot of trouble with failures of the cartridges within just a few weeks of installing a new one, far too often. $24-30 for a black cartridge is just plain highway robbery. I've had cartridges fail past the warranty period stamped on them and when that happens I'm out roughly $30 because HP won't replace them. Laser printers, while more costly upfront, have long-term cost savings over inkjets (assuming you aren't spending a king's ransom for the laser) if you print fairly often. and even if you don't print a lot, the laser refill won't go bad just sitting there idle, as inkjet cartridges often do.

the best printer for ink price i know of is the kodak esp range
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kodak-ESP-32...dp_ob_title_ce
its slightly loud but i have 4 kids and im used to the noise round here. its about £15 for black cart and a color cart, thats for both.
Edit ,sorry i realise that you wanted a fax also, still GVFM on ink

I'm finding out that it may be difficult to find a flat bed scanner that also has a dedicated (no PC) Fax.

Thanks.

I know that you did not have this in mind, when you asked the question. But, after you select one or two printers for the final choice, compare the cost of printing. Many, good printers can be had for a relatively cheap price, but the big profit is made with the cost of replacement cartridges. Some printer can be replaced for the cost of a new cartridge and the printer comes with a 1/2 full cartridge.

Not to mention most now come without the usb cable. Some are even made to not accept anything but genuine ink cartirdiges form manufacuter as well. Happy shopping.

I have also heard that HP among others have a timer in the cartridge, after a certain amount of time it no longer works.

It truly is a race to the bottom with low budget home printers. I would like to think the bar can't go any lower, but ...

The fact is the best deal going right now might be the loss-leader that sells for about the cost of ink. Get a new printer when the ink runs out. Its a horrible waste of planetary resources, but since the manufacturer loses money on every sale, you can hardly expect one cheaper. At the other end of the scale my office-duty HP color inkjet is now in its third year without issues.

The bottom line is they don't make them like they used to, and the current business model doesn't encourage them to do so.

Anyone have any dealings with this printer?


Epson WorkForce 500 All-in-One Printer.