Dave,

I have an HP-8630 All In One and I really like it. It does everything well. Out of fairness, however, I also have and HP-Laser Jet Pro 400 color printer where most of my printing gets done. The All In One serves mostly as a copier/scanner/fax machine. I'd probably print more on it but the ink tends to be expensive.

 

For that price I am surprised it does not have auto duplex. How is it on printing photos, no one seems to mention that?

 

There is normally a workaround for that. On my Canon when I initially installed non-Canon cartridges an error message would appear. I called Canon tech support and was told to hold down the off button for maybe 15 seconds to clear it. It worked. I've been buying all my cartridges from Castle Ink online with really good savings. In fact, as I consider what printer to buy I go there to be sure they can supply the ink. Their inventory is huge.

 

I am really surprised how many of you have HP. I had one years ago and it was terrible; I swore I'd never buy that brand again. I've always leaned towards Canon. Their tech support is 100% USA and their quality in the past has been excellent. Brothers is another one with a good rep. I am considering the Canon Pixma TS9120 ($100) or TR8520 if I want auto document feeder. Another is the Pixma MX922 for $65. Both are recommended by reviewers. But when I look that their star ratings on Amazon I'm disappointed.... but its been the same for any brand/model I've looked at thats recommended.

 

Geez, this is getting like the "best oil" threads!

HP printers have been nearly flawless the past 20 years for me. Their ink is expensive but I've found LD Products supplies ink at a fraction of what HP wants. Several months of ink for the price HP wants for a single black cartridge.

-- Chuck

 

I have the Canon Pixma MX712 and it has been a great printer/scanner/copier/fax/wireless machine. The supplies are reasonably priced (still way too much in my estimation) and it has performed well for many years.

 

 

What photos are you printing? Family photos? MG club related photos? Do you print photos often? Between using the correct photo paper, and using ink supply, photo printing is never anything I wanted to do. If I need 4 x 6 prints done and they are just for something simple, say a photo album of Niagara Falls, for the grandson, I just upload online and pick up at CVS. If the photo is something I want to display, or I'm selling, I use a local printer who is most reasonable and does good work.

 

I agree. Proper photo printing can be expensive. The photo paper and ink can get pricey. I do most of mine like Laney, at CVS or Walgreens. Larger prints are done via Shutterfly or the like.

 

This is what I find so frustrating. I total the one star and two star ratings to summarize the bad ratings. If they were 10% I would not think twice about them as many struggle with setup, paper jams because they mix paper in the same hopper and so on . . . but none are close to that low

Some examples of bad ratings (all from Amazon)

Epson 3600 ($400) = 21% of 183
HP 5530 = 22% of 2,045 **
Canon TS9020 = 24% of 815
Canon TS6020 ($60) = 24% of 339
Canon TS9120 = 26% of 296
Canon MX922 = 27% of 11,448
HP 5540 = 27% of 85
HP 8710 = 30% of 1,212
Epson 3640 = 49% of 1,945
Epson 4740 = 49% of 140

** According to Goggle this is the clear winner with just 5% of 2,413 rating as bad.