<p>We have had numerous threads about the best laptop, but what would yall say is the best printer to get for college. I want something small, fast, relatively inexpensive, and possibly a printer/scanner/copier.
Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Prolly won't be small, if you want an all-in-one.</p>
<p>I heard the Canon Pixma 780 is real good. A bit pricy: ~250$</p>
<p>HP 4215 only $99</p>
<p>Fuji frontier though its not small and its not inexpensive but it can scan and it makes actual photographic prints (as in it uses light to expose photographic paper)</p>
<p>Barring that, for inkjets, epson reigns king in photography circles for its color accuracy and lasting prints. Documents look pretty good but not as good as a laser.</p>
<p>I would say try a laser printer. The text prints are beautiful and if you really need color for something you can mooch of someone else (or have kinkos or something print it which will look better anyways). Most of what you print will be black and white text and so you might as well go with what does that the best. Also, toner is way cheaper per page than ink cartridges.</p>
<p>I think this may be a good thread to continue. Right now I have a piece of crap epson that runs out of ink after like 5 uses. Next year I will have a VERY small desk in which I need to fit my laptop, speakers, and somehow a printer. I need a printer that is small and doesn't use up ink very quickly since I don't have a car to go out and buy ink. I won't spend any more than $250, any recommendations?</p>
<p>the smallest, cheapest idea-- don't bring one to school! </p>
<p>last year I brought a printer, but it took up so much space. there are printers everywhere on campus, all great laser printers that are much higher in quality than the one I had, and there is not one time this year I have regretted my decision.</p>
<p>When you need to print in color and that isn't available too often in the computer labs at my school, its quite useful to have a printer!</p>
<p>Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but is there a printer that prints out different page sizes, like regular 8.5 x 11 as well as, say, 7.5 x 9??</p>
<p>Almost all of today's printers can print on any paper so long as its not wider than the printer tray (although there might be length limits). There are movable things on the printer tray to hold smaller paper. I print on envelopes all the time because my handwriting is too messy for me to be confident my mail will go where it should.</p>
<p>I have a Samsung ML-1740. It is a laser printer with an extremely small footprint. It only costs $120. All I ever need to print is black text, lots and lots of text. It is faster and clearer than any inkjet could possibly be. You will only need one toner for the year (and it will last beyond that). I can see no reason why you would need anything else.</p>
<p>reviews:
<a href="http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardwarecentral/reviews/5429/1/%5B/url%5D">http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardwarecentral/reviews/5429/1/</a>
<a href="http://www.bjorn3d.com/read.php?cID=638%5B/url%5D">http://www.bjorn3d.com/read.php?cID=638</a>
<a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/Samsung_ML_1740/4505-3159_7-30901817.html%5B/url%5D">http://reviews.cnet.com/Samsung_ML_1740/4505-3159_7-30901817.html</a></p>
<p>As for ink I really recommend using the universal inkjet system, it does wonders for me and I've only had to spend 20 dollars on one box and its lasted well over 2 years. It's really easy too and it'll save you tons of money on ink cartridges.</p>
<p>If you ever need color, just mooch off of someone or there will be at least 200 copy shops on campus...they would all love to print your color documents (and make them look great)</p>
<p>And cause you to spend lots of $$$$$</p>
<p>Can lasers print in color?</p>
<p>Some can. but they're super expensive</p>
<p>I have an HP LaserJet 4m+....not new, small, or cheap. I like it anyway. Pretty speedy prints and it does text really nicely. I have a network card for it, so all the computers in the house can use it...at least until August. It's a big old thing, but I'm not going to college without it.</p>
<p>Toner for it is expensive (about $100), but it lasts a looonnnnnnggggggg time (put a partialy used cartridge in it in Oct. and I still don't have a low toner warning yet. Even then, I still have 1k pages or so.). Over time, it is probably cheaper than an inkjet.</p>
<p>For an inkjet printer, the HP 3740 is great. It has a really tiny footprint (I think it's about 15 inches across by about 4 inches deep with the papertray folded), good print quality and is Mac compatable. Plus, it's under $40. You have to supply your own USB cable, but that's really no big deal. I've had mine for about 8 months and haven't run out of ink yet!</p>
<p>dont buy a printer that costs under $40...just dont do it</p>
<p>He's right. I've been there, done that. They are vvveeerryyy poorly made and do not last long. The ink cartridges are usually more expensive (like the Lexmark printers) for cheap printers too.</p>
<p>I second the Samsung ML-1740. I absolutely love it.</p>