What Printer??

[Im a BusyBee]

Im a bit ignorant when it comes to computer stuff however....i have a laptop which i use for all my photos but ive had it a whole year now and never printed one off cos im totally confused when i walk in shop and am surrounded by such choice of printers! I would like an all in one (fax, scanner, copier, printer) but because it is important to me that the pics will be good quality i need some advise on which one to choose. Many thanks.

[vehelpfulguy]

FAR more important than which printer to buy, have you backed up your pictures?

If your hard disk crashed, or laptop got stolen, would you still have copies of all your pictures?

If you have got them backed up (on CD or DVD) then fine, buy a printer. If not get them backed up first before thinking about a printer.

[vehelpfulguy]

There are LOADS of PC magazines around, and they all review hardware every month.

Have a look in somewhere like WH Smiths at the front covers and see if any of them say they are reviewing Photo printers.

The PC Pro magazine has an "A" list of suggested hardware and software.

Their choice for a all-in-one printer is the HP Phtosmart 3210 at about 130 pounds.

They also say the Canon Pixma MP500 is good for photos.

[Im a BusyBee]

Yes they are backed up onto CD.... also (after asking for advise on here) i have an ipod which i use to show them to my friends and family. Thanks for that tho. I shall look at the HP 3210 which you suggested - is the canon an all in one? Thanks again.

[vehelpfulguy]

The canon is an all-in-one but I am not sure either do fax, the magazine does not say.

Note the Canon is only 53 pounds which they says is great value for a printer, scanner and copier.

They just feel the HP is the best all round, and they say the HP is low on print costs.

NOTE: Check the cost of ink refills. It can cost as much to buy new ink as the original printer cost.

My HP costs about 20 or 25 pounds for a color cartridge and about 15 or 20 pounds for a black cartridge.

[Im a BusyBee]

Ive just looked on amazon and the Canon MP500 and also Canon MP800 have excellent reviews, i guess neither fax as it doesnt seem to be mentioned-think i'll ask that as another question on here. My laptop should fax anyway i believe if i know how to set it up!

[Homer55]

I sell printers for a living and one of the best ones on the market is an epson dx6000 or the next model up which is a rx520. these are affordable the cartridges dont cost a fortune and the print quality from Epsons is always good.

[Homer55]

Sorry should of said they only Print copy and scan. no fax.