Printer Reviews

I normally do not write reviews, but the two reviews above got me to buy this machine. I am very satisfied with it and I have got it up and running on my network. It installed fairly easily. Print/scan quality are very good. It took a little getting used to included scanning software. However, I do like it better than Windows supplied scanning software. Brother PC faxing interface is a little goofy and should have an option to save documents just sent in a separate folder. If you spend the time getting things all set up, you can do a lot with this machine. I was impressed with both the technical quality and build quality of the Brother relative to HP's in the same price range.

I run a SOHO real estate appraisal firm out of my home. My wife does help with some basic clerical work, and is pretty illiterate with computers and peripherals. This MFC does it all very well, and can save toner via smart settings. The copy and print images are impressive, compared to my older Xerox XD 100. Also, the USB connection does not bog down my 'puter, like most serial printers. The fax and scan with the ADF are very impressive. Per recipient, I faxed several pages through the ADF at regular resolution, and she said they came out perfectly. Had to do that on Photo resolution before on the old fax. So, Yes, I do love this machine so far. No problems at all.Great stand alone multi machine, with small footprint and all the features a small office will need. Plus, toner and drum replacements are cost effective, unlike most others. Check Google for those prices.

I purchased the Brother MFC-8820DN to replace my existing MFC-9700. The principal reason I bought the 8820DN was because of its network scanning features, which allow you to use this machine to scan to any computer on your network. Aside from that, and duplex printing, the 8820DN does everything that the 9700 did, in a better looking package, and without the hassle of installing the network card (which is included in the 8820DN and optional on the 9700).

The 8820DN acts as a printer, fax, copier, and scanner, and it performs each of these tasks superbly. Although I have a commmercial grade copier, I do not hesitate to use the Brother when speed is not an issue because the copy quality is excellent. Even better, it has an included double-sided print capability (which I didn't care about when I bought it, but which I use all the time now). The copier can also enlarge, reduce, and make posters (by enlarging your document onto four separate sheets of paper).

The best part about this machine is its included network board, which allows you to print from and scan to any machine on your local area network and to manage all of the printer settings via a web-browser. You can also fax from any machine on your network and have the printer automatically e-mail you any faxes that you receive, which is great for keeping in touch even when you are out of the office. The machine can also receive e-mails on its own e-mail account which it can then print or forward to other machines. It can even notify you by e-mail when it needs more toner or a new drum unit.

The neat thing about Brother MFC products is that when they integrate multiple devices like a network board and fax, Brother thinks of everything you could possibly do and makes it available. For instance, this device can use the internet as a tranport mechanism to bridge two different MFC's together, so that you can send faxes partially or completely over the internet. This would be useful if I had an office in London and another in California, and I wanted to fax overseas without paying toll charges by using the internet as a transport mechanism. I don't have an office in London, and thus, don't use this and about half the features. My point here is that the printer will do just about everything you could possibly think of doing with a printer/fax/copier/scanner that is network connected, and it does it very, very well.

The printer works great! But the only downfall is the fact that the website said it would print from wireless devices and the picture showed an LCD screen that looks like it is flipped up. Too bad that they do not tell you that it will print from wireless devices IF you buy the wireless adapter. And the LCD screen is available as an additional purchase. You may think you get everything they advertise but you only get the basic package!

Of course, all Epson stylus photo's produce great picture quality, are solidly built and have thoughtful easy setup directions. I've owned several Epson's and each generation just gets more amazing - both in easy of use and quality.

It's a 6-ink inkjet and it's an Epson stylus photo so I don't really need to go on about the print quality but the R300M has some great and outstanding additional features.

#1
This printer prints with the Mac/PC on or off. You can use a USB cable to plug in your digital camera or better yet, drop in your camera's memory card in one of the front slots and view using the COLOR LCD screen! And if you activate the feature, the memory card mounts on the desktop (well at least on a Mac) so you can save from having to buy a memory card reader also!

It reads CompactFlash, Microdrive, Memory Stick, SD, MMC, SmartMedia or xD so unless you own some weird Albanian format - you are set to go.

Just plug in your memory card - use the simple navigation (two minutes to learn and very clear) to set the size you want to print and what kind of paper you are using. Then just arrow up & down to view thumbnails (with a preview window of your photograph) - once you select the photograph, it fills the 2" COLOR screen so you know exactly what you are getting. Then hit PRINT and there it is. If you have a nice digital camera and your photographs are at the highest resolution - you get a print that indistinguishable from store processed.

It prints BORDERLESS 8.5" by 11" - great quality and makes your special photographs look like art.

#2
It prints on CD-R and DVD-R's. While you can certainly use Epson discs (probably a bit steeper), I did not have a lot of different types of printable media around (you get a Memorex branded freebie with the printer) but they all look fine. It depends on your needs - some look a little darker than others so you'll have to experiment a little but an incredibly easy to use feature. You simply insert a special tray - launch the Epson CD software - paste and/or type and select print. Since Epson included a Memorex CD, it's pretty obvious you can use any brand - as you might know, your choices on the CD/DVD printables are with a white background or on silver so depending on your artwork - some might look better on white - others on silver. DO NOT print on non-printable CD/DVD-R's - the ink will smear! (no, I did not have to try it to know that :-)

#3
Setup is amazingly easy and you get a nice assortment of software.

#4
I know some printers have special chips in the print cartridges that do not allow you to use 3rd party color cartridges - not the case with Epson - I've already seen 3rd party cartridges for the R300M so if you decide not to buy the Epson ink, you have other choices.

#5
Epson has a great selection of professional paper including some that will supposedly not yellow in 25 or 100 years (you choose) so you get a lot of professional options along the way.

The ONLY ONLY tiny downside is you do not get a USB cable so you will need a "B" to "A" cable - I had an extra one but if you don't, they're about $6 and up.

Other than that tiny thing - it's perfect if you want high-end print results from a $250 printer - if you want 4x6 to 8.5x11 borderless printing along with a COLOR preview window for printing with or without the computer being on - and if you want easy CD/DVD-R printing - and it's well designed and with great step by step setup instructions - this is one great printer!

My client Tim, the "dental guy" was in the process of marketing a dental plan in the Las Vegas area, when he advised me that he wanted to print CD cards to pass out to his clients. I purchased this Epson printer, but wasn't really sure if it could produce the professional quality he desired.

I converted his logo to a vector graphic, so it could be printed on a variety of marketing items, cups, and t-shirts. At first, I was reluctant to put the actual CD into the printer. My non-trusting techie self, wondered how it was going to come back out, since the CDs had already been burned.

I cautiously put in the CD in the tray, and went to the design program, bundled with this printer. I taught my client, how to set up the design, and WOW! The actual CD went inside the printer, and out came a professional labeled CD, in full color.

Although the speed was slower than I would have liked, and you must purchase the Epson media CD or DVD, you can retire those sticky labels that jam in other printers. If you want to send out CD media to your clients, with your logo, in full color, and do it cheaply, this is the printer to buy!

Even though, I happen to be an HP printer fan, Epson has my admiration on this printer.

Gina Novelle at Exclusive Markets

When I first bought this, I though I was going to use it extremly quickly, but then I cheked them and I finded out that there weren't so finbe at all, they are too small, and some of the pictures I was trying to print were out of shape.

These are just a kick to make! I have a new granddaughter and enjoy using them on envelopes, etc. They print perfectly off the software to my HP Photosmart 1000.

it is great to see all the pictures any place you want

I have used more than one of these cartridges as I do a lot of printing on my Lexmark ExecjetII. The copies come out very precise and clear.I have used other cartridges on my Lexmark but with this one the copies don't come out too dark.

You are supposed to get 600 copies per cartridge and I can say that I am getting a few more than that with mine.It is also very easy to install,it just clicks right in and you are ready to get started.

I am pleased with the overall product and price but did believe that the Shipping & Handling was a bit high.

The Lexmark 13400 Printer Cartridges are the best. They are easy to install, never takes me more than a couple of minutes. I also appreciate their availability, I don't have time to be searching so I appreciate that the Lexmark refills are available in most stores that carry printer cartridge refills, including Amazon.Com. Lastly, I like the way they last, I do alot of printing and these cartridges are long lasting, so I don't run out as often. I truely think the Lexmark 13400 Refill is a 5 star product.

I was having my computer fixed and when I got my computer back the black ink (17g0050) was dry.

I can't tell any difference in print quality for this refurbished cartridge. It prints just as well as the new original cartridge that came with my Z22 printer. Thanks! Good price too!

Being the owner of a z12, my first printer,it came with
one color and one black,of course the color was the first to go
I am one who enjoys making things by hand or computer so i purchased a cd on various things you can do, Like make .cd labels , I found a section with animals, gothic letters ,all kinds of great stuff.
my next is to use my scanner to upload photo of my Cat to others that are interested , and maybe treat myself to an newer version,
LEXMARK PRINTER,and put this in studio, thanks and enjoy your LEXMARK.

One of the first things I noticed upon opening up and unpacking the box, was that Sony does NOT include any ink (ribbon) or paper for this printer in the box. Not even one sheet. So, to avoid disappointment about not being able to immediately start using the printer, make sure you buy one of the ink/paper packages too.

The included software is "so-so". Sony's included photo application is rough, and I fell into fatal errors with it quite easily. Their photo application works directly with the printer, bypassing Window's printer drivers, which brings me to my next software comment.

It also includes a printer driver for Windows that allows other applications, presumably for photos, to print using the DPP-EX50. However, while it worked, it had a little annoying problem where the image was slightly off centered. This results in "borderless" prints actually getting a thin white border on the bottom and right sides. I found no way around this bug, including trying to manual re-size the image slightly larger, and trying to move it slightly down/right.

While the DPP-EX50 prints absolutely wonderful pictures, I am patiently waiting for Sony to release some software fixes.

If you're going to a wedding or birthday party and want to leave some prints for the celebrants, the EX50 is a great toy to have. You can print up to 4x6 with very high quality on smudge-free paper - and for its intended use, that's important. You can print directly from Memory Stick or Compact Flash, or you can strap it to your laptop and work that way. You can use the video out jack to view the images on a TV. All this in a compact little package for about $180 - not cheap but this is a good quality tool.

This printer is awesome! THe colors and print outs are so beautiful and i take this with me everywhere. my mom and i are now starting to take family photos at our house parties and printing them out on this printer for them to take home. its so neat and easy to use. I learned how to use it on the tv within minutes and actually prefer the tv then the computer.

I think the only problem is trying to find the paper. I can find the 4x6 post cards everywhere.. but the smaller ones are a little harder to find and I end up driving atleast 45 minutes to the nearest Sonystyle store to purchase it.

all in all this is a great picture especially if you have a good quality 3.0 megapixel camera. (The less quality the camera is, the more grainy the picture with be.)

sidenote: the pictures usually come out depending on how the pictures are taken with the camera. If the digital camera shows a bad picture, chances are the printer with print the bad picture.

p.s i think that printers that are so compact should come with a bag like camcorders and cameras do.

These business cards are excellent

The front of the card prints great, looks as good as professionaly printed cards. Only problem I had was that you can't print on the other side. It would be great to be able to put something on the other side, but the back is coated. Other than that I would highly recommend them, I used with my Epson 1280.

i really like these cards. the only ones I have found for the inkjet printer with edge-to-edge capability. i want to respond to the reviewer who said you can only print to one side. in fact, you can print to both sides. one side is matte and one is glossy. is started off using the glossy side but now prefer the matte.

In the old days I used to own an Apple Stylewriter II inkjet printer (which for you PC users was just a Canon inkjet with the name changed). It would print 360 dpi at about 2 pages a minute. As long as you weren't writing a novel, it was quick enought to get the job done--but for $350 you couldn't get color in 1993 so that's what I had. When I bought the Epson Stylus 700 Photo printer, with its 1440 dpi printing etc. etc. I kind of expected it to change the way I thought about inkjet printers. Unfortunately, it did nothing of the sort. For 95% of my printing needs, I leave the resolution on 360dpi anyway because if you increase it to 720 dpi it will only print about 1 page every two minutes (text). If you turn it up to 1440, you're going to be there all day. I've printed several 8 x 10 pictures, and the printer does a great job at rendering the colors and making it look a lot like a printed photograph. So really, the only advantages I gained was that I could now incorporate color into my graphs and tables, and I can print an occasional picture. But beware! Photo quality paper is very expensive. Moreoever, it only takes about 4 or 5 large pictures to exhaust your color ink! Also, I find that I replace my black ink cartridge about once every two months--with the average usage of a college student. That's $25 bucks apiece times two... and ink costs really start to add up. On the upside, the printer makes very few errors, and it will do very nice pictures--if you're willing to wait long enough.

can't go wrong with this printer. I am very please with the way this printer prints in color and black and white.

We print letter sheet brochures by the hundreds and order cards by the thousands for customer mailings..

We used the HP line and it's gearing tore up. We went to Cannon Multipass and the Ink feed quit after only 3 months. when you call Cannon customer service they tell you not to work it so hard and there's nothing they can do, and if you wore it out that you should go and buy another one. Furthermore, the cannon driver disks were corrupt and they refused to even replace them!!

The EPSON Stylus Pro Ran 20 reams of paper and 6,000 4x6 cards before the ink even started running out !!!

The Stylys Pro printer ran for 3 months through an entire holiday season before the ink quit!! We were wondering if it was going to last forever!!

This printer has run 20 times the paper of the HP and Cannon combined, and it still keeps on ticking flawlessly !!!

Epson MEANS Performance! EPSON is the Absolute Best piece of hardware in existance.!!

Perpetual Reliability...

NO other printer will ever even be considered!!

When you call their 800 number for information, they are pleasant and spend as MUCH time as possible and then send you SPECIFIC information on your interest and NO junk mail thereafter !!!

Keep up with the Epson Excellence !!!!

GIBBS & Co.

I have tried the Rhinotek ink after the Epson ink. Both printed fine, but Rhinotek started off messy. My Epson ink disappeared so ridiculously fast (5 weeks), and I was stuck without ink one night, and I shook it then put it back in, and I kid you not it lasted almost 6 months with a lot of printing!!
The Rhinotek's about out after 3 months, I am afraid to shake it after the messy start. I know you aren't supposed to, but perhaps the ink manufacterer's WANT the ink to run out........

I've been very happily surprised by the quality of the printing with my new Epson Stylus 880. The ink cartridges have lasted a fair amount of time, and while I wish I got more than the 3 months worth of time, I have to be satisified with that. (Occassional use for the girl's school reports, personal finances and some "take-home" from work.) The only thing against it is the ...price. That seems to be the trend in ink jet printers now, but it is hard to pay over ...for a few ounces of ink. That said, you don't have a lot of choice if you want to retain top-quality printing, so it is a price that I will (grudgingly) pay.

Printer ribbons for the Epson 880 Printer are far from cheap. Luckily with my search on line, Amazon came through with a good price. I saved at least $10 by not buying from (other retailers). Thanks Amazon. By the way, the Epson 880 is a great printer.

I think this has great photo quality. The colors aren't as bright as an inkjet but they are closer to the real thing. No ink cartridges to deal with. Much smoother appearance, no inkjet dots. The down side is the size of the photo but most of the photos I print are in 3 1/2 x 5 or 4 x 6 anyway.

This printer is not bad. It's not brilliant though just OK. Good quality pictures printed too. The price though is a bit to much. I am getting a digital camera and our printer is not very good so I will probably get a new one. This is the one we will most likely to get.

I use this with a 4 MP camera. The result is stunning. You cannot tell the prints were digital originals. The quality is that good. One caveat... will not work with Windows 2000 or XP. Win 98/ME only :-( Other than that, highly recommended.