For a number of years I used the lowest cost HP desktop printer (somewhere around $20) and it was quite satisfactory. I was now in the market for a new printer and thought I'd go up a notch in the price. First I bought a new HP model (around $30) and had problems with it almost from the beginning. Same thing happened with a new Canon printer (also around $30). So I figured I'd go real cheap since that cheap HP worked so well. So I went with the cheapest Canon model (about $20) and it's worked perfectly for several months. True, it's not wireless and needs to be connected to the computer via USB, but that doesn't matter to me. The print quality is excellent and it also provides scanning and copying capability. The ink cartridges aren't that expensive, either. The B&W, about $17. The color, which I rarely use, about $22. It's ironic, though, that I can buy a new printer with cartridges installed for less than the price of one color cartridge. :DAnyhow, a cheap product is not necessarily a bad one.

But, Mr. Ed, the initial cartridge doesn’t usually have a full tank. However, you are correct, cheap printers seem to me to be as good as top of the line.

"Anyhow, a cheap product is not necessarily a bad one." So true. If you are happy, well ... I'm happy too! Thanks for sharing!

It's not the price of the printer that is important, but the cost of the ink cartridges.The needle is usually free, but what you fill it with can be expensive.

Used to have an OLD Lexmark printer.......bought it back in 2006 prior to going FTIt printed, copied and even scanned.2 yrs ago neighbor gave us their HP Fancy printer cause he wanted the newest available It was a Printer/Copier/Scanner/FAX....USB and WiFiNot sure how old it was but last week it quick printing so time for new printerBought a HP basic printer....came with ink cartridgesCould have bought a cheaper one but it didn't come with the ink and when ink was purchased it would have been more expensiveJust don't have a need for that fancy stuff...still using a 'flip' phone that makes/receives phone calls :B

mr. ed wrote:Anyhow, a cheap product is not necessarily a bad one.Yep, sometimes you get what you pay for, sometimes you get more than you pay for.

Satisfied With Cheapest Printer | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

RJsfishin
Explorer
Apr 17, 2018
I been down every road there is w/ dam ink.
Finally got smart 2 yrs ago, bought a Lazer,....will never never ever have ink in my house again !!!
valhalla360
Navigator
Apr 11, 2018
bighatnohorse wrote:
valhalla360 wrote:
We print so little anymore we just take what we need printed to a copy place when we do need something printed.

The printer ink was always dried out when we went to use it.

Shop for the cheapest print ink first. Then buy the cheapest printer that uses the ink.

Cheaper still to just use a copy place for the 2-3 times a year we need something printed.
T18skyguy
Explorer
Apr 11, 2018
Ava wrote:
Laser Jet printers are a lot cheaper than they used to be. They can print about 30 pages a minute. I love mine.

Me too. I have a Samsung black and white laser jet and just love it. I also have a cheap Canon if I need color but that's rare. The Samsung can finish any printing job before the Canon even warms up. The Canon make this ridiculous k-thunking noise for a minute or two before it's first page, it's almost humorous compared to the laser.
mr__ed
Explorer
Apr 10, 2018
2oldman wrote:
What do you print?

Not much, Oldman. That's partially why I don't spend much on a printer. I may print a couple of small documents once a week, or print out a coupon here or there. Occasionally I'll print a photo on regular paper. The colors are excellent. I certainly don't need more than my $20 printer. ;)
mr__ed
Explorer
Apr 10, 2018
catkins wrote:
New printers now often come with a VERY low ink fill as a "starter" cartridge. Used to be true your could buy an inexpensive new printer and get lots of pages....................no more.

Yes, that's true. But the new cartridges for my printer are fairly low cost, lower than many others I've seen on the market. I just finished replacing both B&W plus color cartridges. I know they'll last longer than the ones that came with the new machine.
catkins
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2018
New printers now often come with a VERY low ink fill as a "starter" cartridge. Used to be true your could buy an inexpensive new printer and get lots of pages....................no more.
2oldman
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2018
What do you print?
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2018
valhalla360 wrote:
We print so little anymore we just take what we need printed to a copy place when we do need something printed.

The printer ink was always dried out when we went to use it.

Shop for the cheapest print ink first. Then buy the cheapest printer that uses the ink.
valhalla360
Navigator
Apr 10, 2018
We print so little anymore we just take what we need printed to a copy place when we do need something printed.

The printer ink was always dried out when we went to use it.
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 10, 2018
Dell color laser for me. But then I have no printer when camping.

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Satisfied With Cheapest Printer

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