INKJETS
The revolution in printing and the bane of your life ? They are fine at home but have a tendancy to let you down in business when you can least afford it - but many swear by them and some seem to go on forever. Again, look at costs of inkjets - some manufacturers supply separate colour carts. as well as black, so that you don't have to throw away the complete colour cart. just because one colour has been used up.
Access to 'Nozzle tests' commands etc. -
The later model printers have much of their 'commands' taken away from the buttons on the printer and now are found in the 'software' on the computer instead - good idea when you get used to it ! Go into the 'control panel' in your Windows , then double click on your printer icon, then click on 'Printer', then 'Printing preferences' and work on the 'maintenance' options given. Alternatively, try Start, Programs and look for a program mentioning your printer name.
We don't particularly like Epson's system, where you buy ink carts. that are loaded onto permanently existing printheads/ink nozzles. These nozzles clog up and fail to clean or free up effectively- the printer is now a write-off economically.
HP offers a range where you can replace both the printheads as well as the cartridges.
From our experience, as a generality, Canon printers are more reliable than either of the above makes! but it is impossible to be categorical in this.
One final tip- before you ever buy an inkjet or photo printer - do some thorough homework on the volume of ink in the carts. and the price of same, before buying the printer. Be prepared for a rip-off. Ink carts are daylight robbery and a phenomenon of our generation.
Roll-on the next generation of these plastic rubbish printers- Richard Branson please consider entering and cleaning up this oh so eco-unfriendly zone.
FINALLY : regretfully, please don't call us to repair this type of printer unless you are prepared to pay a minimum of £50 or so to repair it : -time and petrol etc. costs.