[NTLUG:Discuss] Color printer for Linux

[Chris Cox]

Todd Robinson wrote:
>  > ... [my color printer has] been sitting for a couple of years...
>  > I rarely use color mainly because of the cost of ink so i would like a
>  > color printer which I could somehow clean and store for an extended
>  > period of time ...
> 
> I think all inkjets require head cleaning when not used for lengthy 
> periods. ..

I definitely agree with that.  See below...

> 
> It's been my experience that Epson is very Linux-friendly and make some 
> of the best inkjets. I've heard of Linux-compat problems with Canon. YMMV.

The Espson C8x line has been very good for us.  It is a business
class printer with regards to speed (for an inkjet anyhow) and yet
can deliver very photo quality prints as well.

Highly recommended.

However, I'm done with dealing with them.  The ink costs mean that
you can litterally THROW AWAY the printer after THREE ink reloads.
Yep.. a C86 (or whatever the current version is) can be had for
$70.  It will cost you more than $70 each time you reload ink...
which is quite often.

Just remember, if something goes wrong, throw your printer
away.  Economically, Epson has made it so you can afford
to replace the printer every year (with much landfill love).

So... I love the photo quality you get with the Epson.... but...

The heads do clog... and on the Epson (unlike HP) they aren't
built into the cartridge,, so when they clog, they clog and
are are VERY HARD to unclog.  Mine went with use for maybe
a month or so and I've got one head that simply will NOT
unclog... sigh...

> 
> How about just go totally paperless. Don't print anything, ever. :-) It 
> seems more and more products are getting into the low-cost-machine / 
> pricey-cart. biz. Game machines, ink jets, even vacuum cleaners (hepa 
> filters)...

I'm moving on to color laser, they're pretty cheap now.