americanbear's Full Review: Epson Photo / All In one InkJet Printer
An Introduction
I am a Canon fan. I won't lie. I really like my http://www1.epinions.com/content_438460452484 4x6 inkjet printer.
But, alas, I needed a way to print CDs... and Epson, in the USA, is literally the only game in town for direct-print-on-CD consumer printers. Canon's have them in other countries, but not here for some reason (likely patent related I imagine, unfortunately). I know people who rave about their EPSON printers but I have never thought them to be terribly great. My opinion hasn't changed.
I bought this printer/scanner combo for $99 at Best Buy - admittedly a great price - the same as my Canon mini320 cost!
Out of Box/Setup
This printer is quite easy to set up. With any printer I recommend downloading the latest driver online. It just avoids problems. I had no other issues with setup. You will need your own USB cord. Note that I did have problems after I updated the driver (I was in a hurry and couldn't get online) where I had to reset the printing system on my Mac before it would let me print CDs again.
Also, be aware that the scanner makes this printer somewhat larger than a typical desktop printer so if space is at a premium it might not be the best choice.
In it's purpose
This printer, a 6-color CcMmYK (Cyan, Light Cyan, Magenta, Light Magenta, Yellow, Key [Black]) unit, did what I wanted perfectly - it prints great looking CDs from my Mac. So if that's your only use, great.
But what about the rest?
Photos
I would expect amazing photos from this printer. But it doesn't provide. They're pretty good, but the included color profiles are severely *wrong* and it requires a lot of experimentation to get the desired results. Out of box prints will be VERY contrasty and cyan-tinted using the included profiles, or very over-saturated on automatic mode (I would almost cynically guess to use more ink...)
Text
Text printing is great, but if this is your use - get a laser. They're cheaper and quieter and give better results. $50 can get you a decent black and white laser with a much cheaper cost per page. Why go inkjet to do text?
Full-page photographs
This is where this printer is *terrible* - there is severe banding at the bottom of each full-page full-color borderless print. This is not present on 4x6 prints - only 8.5x11. It makes it useless for this purpose.
Scanning
The scanner is fine, but not great. Just okay. No problems, but not amazing either.
Cost
I don't track my inkjet costs, but this thing seems to drink ink at a very fast - excessive - pace. Ink cartridges are about $12 each and probably print around 150 photos (4x6) would be my best guess... times 6 cartridges!
Speed
If on high speed mode (which works fine) this printer is extremely fast. If on high quality mode, which is only a hair better, it is incredibly slow.
Customer Support
Pray you never have to contact them based on my horrid experience. I wrote to them asking about the color matching issues I was having and asking if they had corrected profiles. They insulted me by sending a form letter explaining what color profiles are! I wrote them back saying that I had a very specific question and if they had bothered to read it, they'd see I obviously know what color profiles are. Not surprisingly, my response was never replied to. Absolutely terrible.
Conclusions
This is a printer for you if you need print-on-CD ability. Otherwise, Canon printers will, in my experience, give you better color accuracy and nicer prints. Again, always be sure to use the manufacturer's ink and paper - that is the only combination that will give you excellent print life - some third party ink/paper combinations will last as little as 3 months. Paper must be matched to ink and ink must be good. Use both from the company that made your printer and you will usually get good results. Just be ready to make your pictures much "warmer" than you want the final print to be if you choose this Epson!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 99 Operating System: Windows and Macintosh
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