posted
What is the difference between a HP Photosmart Ink Jet Printer and a HP Desk Jet Printer? I know that there is a wide range of models in each category, but I am wondering which is the best type for our business.
The HP Photsmart 1218 is about $500 and the HP Deskjet 1220 Cxi is approximately the same price -so what is the major difference between the two?
Thanks in advance.
------------------ Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas rchapman@vvm.com
Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I bought an HP 812C a year ago to make print outs of my designs done in Omega, so the customer could have a full color "sketch" of their sign or truck lettering. I take a photo of their truck / van / trailer and letter over the top of that photo in Omega and print it on paper for the customer to see.
Well, I spent over a $120+ for it and now, my wife found a Lexmark printer for $49.00 and it works just as good if not better.
So, in conclusion, I think if it costs more to replace the ink containers than by a new printer....buy a new printer everytime the ink runs out....this is crazy!
I'm not sure if a $500 printer does all that much more...and it will be outdated next month!
Oh, by the way, that little post about putting an Omega .plt file into Corel 9 came in handy yesterday. I have never needed to do that before. I am so glad you aksed that question. I forgot who gave us all the right advice, but it worke for me also! Thanks
------------------ Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA Stop in and visit a while! 309-828-7110 signman@davesworld.net Raptorman or Draper_Dave on mIRC chat
Posts: 2883 | From: Bloomington Illinois USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Dana Aaron
unregistered
posted
I might be able to help you a little (heavy emphasis on the LITTLE part, hehehe!)
I had a HP Photosmart - don't remember which # model. I LOVED it for doing photographic type stuff. Slip some photo paper thru it and you will swear it was printed off at the professional photo lab.
But I found that it wouldn't accept reformatting for other things... like address labels, business cards, stuff like that. I think it was because it would only print up to an 8x10 area, but don't quote me on that.
I traded it for an Epson Stylus Photo 750 with my Dad. He uses it (the PhotoSmart) for printing photographs and loves it.
As far as my Epson 750... you'll hafta pry it from my cold dead hands!! I love this thing, prints great for anything. I order my ink cartridges thru www.themacsmith.com - they have it buy 4 and get shipping free. I think the cartridges ran about $11-15 each the last time I bought some. And their service is great.
They also carry waterproof photo paper that is definately waterproof... my Dad's coffee buddy Jim printed something on it and put it upside down in a sink of water overnight. Came back in the next day, took it out of the water and layed it to dry. He brought it in to show Dad at coffee the next day - they were both amazed at it being just fine.
I dunno if this will help you at all. If you do look into the PhotoSmart, just make sure that it will print labels or cards if you might want to do that. Maybe newer models will.
_ _ _ _ wow... I just posted a reply to a post by Raymond Chapman... wow... we studied your stuff in sign school wow...!!
posted
Im partial to HP. The print head is in the cartridge and you can refill without worrying about ruining expensive printheads that are integral to the Epson. I use MISsupply inks.
The 1220 will print on to 13" x 19" paper I have the older HP1120. They also have a straight feed path for heavy papers
The photosmart can print without a computer. The older photoprinters from HP had six colors but I dont know if these do. I feel HP is the most reliable of the printers and it also does very good on text printing.
There are a number of papers that are pretty waterproof. My favorite is the Canon glossy, high res coated, and their plain waterproof inkjet paper. Also the best quality JetPrint Photo paper is very waterproof. I have been reading that the Konica QP glossy is totally waterproof and it comes out of the printer already dry. Supposedly Office Depots Primium High Gloss is the Konica paper but I havent tested them out.
posted
Between the two Hp products I cant really help. I use Hp 1120 works great, If you do alot of printing as most of us do stay away from epson went through two of them in a matter of a year because the print heads get all gummed up and there is not much you can do. Not to say they dont print well because they do just no way to easily clean heads and on the epsons ya get a new one every time.
------------------ "Someday I'm gonna get a real job, HEE HEE" Signs Of Life 48 Carmen Hill Rd. New Milford, Ct 06776
Posts: 97 | From: Douglasville, GA | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
I had a HP 680c a couple of years ago, and that thing was great. I do alot of printing, and it just kept on going. I still have it, but it needs some work because the belt went bad. I bought a color stylewriter pro, and that thing is a piece of junk. I love my mac computer, but printers are another thing. With epson, the print head has to be changed, like Sarah said, and its expensive, but they print great. Still , I think the HP printers are better for the buck. Im getting ready to get one myself.
------------------ John Deaton III Deaton Signs&Grafix 109 N. Cumberland Ave.,Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-573-9101
posted
Dana and I seem to be on the same wave length on this one!
We have done the series of $100 dollar printers. When I had problems with my last printer (an HP), I decided to talk to a printer technician and get things sorted out. I first asked him about repairing the old printers, his answer was that it would cost at least $100 just to clean them and check them over.
Then I asked him which one he would choose for himself. He pointed out a $500 Professional series HP. He said that it was made to last and was very "repairable."
It is also designed to run lots and lots of pages, like monthly statements, etc. The type of use an office with a secretary would give it.
Even though I had decided I didn't want another HP, I took his advise and bought the Professional model.
It has been all the tech said it would be, reliable with very large cartridges that last almost forever. And the printheads are replaced separately from the ink cartridges.
It does photographs fine, but it is not the same quality as the specialized printers.
Anyway, my definition is that one series is designed for quantities, and the other for photographic quality.
For what it's worth, that's how I see the differences between a Deskjet and a Photosmart.
Valerie
------------------ Valerie Connot DOA Flatliners North Wales, PA
[This message has been edited by Connot (edited February 13, 2001).]
Posts: 138 | From: North Wales, PA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Once upon a time I had an Epson. I dont even want to think about the trouble it was. Yes they print fine photos when they work but thats not much good if they hardly ever work. Mine went back to factory every three months on the dot thru the then two year warrenty. No wonder they got rid of their 800 tech number and two year warrenty!!!
I am interested mostly in photo printing but I decided for the little quality difference I would rather have the HP reliability. I also find that i can calibrate my system and get as close as possible between my prints and my monitor view. Even tho epson has many more adjustments on the printer itself I couldnt do that with mine.
And another thing, we dont have much digital stuff locally but I can buy HP printers at Walmart and if something is wrong to start with easily return for another.
wow...!!
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