New Printer

[theonlyone]

I need to buy a printer and don't have a clue as to which one to buy .People say Kodak are good because the inks are cheap .It won't get alot of use so I don't want to spend lots of money .So all comments welcome.

[woofgang]

what are you going to use it for (scannning and copying as well as printing? bulk stuff, photos, multimedia crafting etcet) and what with (Ipad, laptop, network, desktop, multiple computers etcet)

[mikey4444]

Go to Tesco and look at a HP all-in-one. Beware Kodak, as the company is in severe financial difficulties, which is why their printers are piled high and going cheap just about everywhere. There will be AB'ers that will argue about Kodak but why take a chance ?

An all-in-one will allow you to use it as a home photocopier, which will be more useful than you might imagine.

I have used HP printers for years and never really had any problems. The ink cartridges are available everywhere and look-alike ones are to be had on ebay for very little money.

I have also used Tesco for years now as there is rarely any problems if things go wrong and you have to take anything back. They are also very competitive...I bought a wireless keyboard and mouse at 07.30 this morning, for £15.00 !

[Wak]

If the price of the ink is the main problem then have you tried refilling the cartridges yourself??? I have refilled the same HP cartridges which I ordered with the printer for the last two years (except for two days). I refill them before they get to the empty stage, it takes approx. 20 to 30 minutes and it isn't as messy as a lot of folk would have you believe. Refill kits approx. £2.99 ea. for 90 ml from the Cheap shops. New cartridges containing approx 14/15ml of ink anywhere up to £40 a pair.
Just a thought.

[woofgang]

The only time I tried refilling cartridges, one leaked in the bowels of a very expensive printer and we had to replace it. :(

[Wak]

Yes, Woofgang, I appreciate the possible problem of flooding.
If you refill a cartridge until the ink appears at the filling hole then the ink is way above the top level of the internal sponge and the weight of the excess un-supported ink above the sponge will consequently force it to run out at the bottom of the cartridge until the sponge can fully support the ink it is carrying. At this point I withdraw about 1/2 ml of ink with the syringe and then dab the print head of the cartridge on to a paper tissue until the flooding stops. The cartridge can now be safely replaced in the printer and will no longer flood.

[mikey4444]

There is little need to fill cartridges yourself, so who do it ? If you have a lo on ebay, you will see lots of generic cartridges that will fit almost any printer known to man

For instance, I have a HP C6280 All-In-One. if I buy a set of HP 5 colour and 1 B/W from say, PC World it would cost in excess of £25.00. But on ebay I can get double the amount, ie 12 cartridges for £8.00 !

Now, admittedly I don't print out photos with my machine but £8.00 must be good value surely?

And no inky fingers !

[Wak]

Yes. Mikey, I agree with you, they are good value and can be found on Ebay.
However, I have refilled cartridges for over 12 years now and invariably dodge the inkey finger routine through a bit of experience.
I have plenty of time on my hands, do a fair bit of printing and enjoy it.
The ink I have used over the last 2 years must amount to an approx total of £4 or £5 and whilst the saving isn't the main issue, it is certainly appreciated.
I suppose it's whatever pleases the person that matters.

[theonlyone]

Many thanks for your comments and answers will now have to decide what to buy and will let you know .