[Klug-general] Printer suggestions

[J D Freeman]

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On Tue, Jun 10, 2008 at 06:01:58PM +0100, Mike Evans wrote:
> I'm thinking of getting one of the HP multifunction printers.  
> (Printer/Scanner/Copier all in one.)  Anyone got any experience with  
> them and Linux or any reason I should buy something else.
>
> One of my key criteria is that it should fit in the cupboard under my  
> desk along with my shuttle PC.  The new ones have the advantage that  
> they are pretty much self-contained within the dimensions of the unit,  
> unlike my current Epson printer, which has a sheet feeder sticking up  
> and out at the back.  This means it has to sit on my desktop and destroy  
> my Feng Shui.  (More importantly eating up valuable desk space.)
>
> I wonder about the merits of getting one with separate colour cartridges  
> as opposed to black and then colours combined.  The HP colour laser at  
> work has separate units for each of the colours - but I note that it  
> always demands that all three are replaced at the same time.  That can't  
> be can it?  It makes me think unkind thoughts about HP.

My recommendation is simple: Get a networked printer. Setting up a
networked printer in linux is amazingly simple. Give it an IP address,
drop this in your /etc/printcap go.

rlp|Remote printer entry:\
        :lp=:\
	:rm=192.168.0.21:\
	:rp=knuth:\
	:sd=/var/spool/lpd/remote:\
	:mx#0:\
	:sh:

Replace the 192.168.0.21 with the ip you gave the printer. Done. Its so
mind numbingly simple to setup.

That said HP are expensive. They are well worth the money, any HP laser
printer is going to last for ages and should be very reliable. However
you may also find that you can get much the same level of service from
a brother machine. I have had a Brother 1270N for several years, and its
working wonderfully. I am now pondering a network enabled Brother
printer. 

As for colour laser, depending on your usage, don't bother. If you want
to print photos, use photobox.com/ if your document is so important you
and you need the colour headers, use a printer (I use print matters in
canterbury) the rest of the time black and white will be more than
enough. This makes this so so much more affordable. Also means you only
need to change one cartridge. 

Not sure if this answers all your questions, but hope it helps.

J
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