Any Photo Printer Recs?

[genndan100502]

We're in search for a personal photo printer for a classroom, one that can read memory cards and print out 4x6 to 8x10s, just wondering if any one has any recs on which one to purchase? We're hoping the price would be around $300, but I haven't done any research so this might be too low? anything else to watch out for? ink cartridges? photo paper? TIA! ;)

[solongtogo]

Epson STylus R300, prints fantastically. Ink replacement can be expensive though, as it takes 6 cartridges of ink, and they run 10-20 dollars each depending on the color. I has 3 different types of memory card plug ins. I love mine. The prints look fantastic on it.

[bunny nose]

I have the HP Photosmart 7760. I love it. The prints look great. When I bought it a couple of years ago it cost about $200, but I know it has gone down in price. It has all the card readers in it and you can edit right on the printer without a computer. It can also be hooked up to a computer if you choose.

You need only two ink cartridges. A color one and a photo one. They run between $25-$35 each. Target just had a sale and they were super cheap, so I stocked up. I've tried to no name brand real cheap cartridges but the print quality was horrible, so I am sticking with the HP cartridges.

Good luck
Karen

[Kinetic]

I second the Epson. From my experience, Epson makes the most reliable printers. I bought mine before printing my thesis in school (6 copies of 300 full color pages.) The same printer went on to handle all our wedding needs (STD's, All invitations, enclosures, envelopes, thank you notes, programs, table numbers.) And now we are printing all of our wedding photos on it. I never heard of such a reliable printing lasting for all we put it through. The clarity and quality of the pictures is really good.

[LeslieR]

I love my Epson Picturemate and highly recommend it. It only prints size 4x6 or two wallets, though.

[genndan100502]

Wow, sounds like it's between the HPs and Epson printers, I think the teachers want to do all the edits on the printer so having an LCD on the screen displaying the picture is very useful. I wish the Epson Picturemate prints bigger pictures. sounds like a fun printer.

[Kimberland30]

I have a HP Photosmart and my brother has an Epson (sorry, don't know the model). They both print out quality prints. Not only is the brand of the ink a factor, so is the paper you print on. I bought a package of cheap paper thinking "they are all created equal". They aren't. :)

[RobynScott]

I would swear there was a longer thread on this same issue but I can't find it.

I'd like to find a photo printer that also functions as a regular printer - scan/copy/fax capability would be a bonus (particularly fax) since I want to use this for our home office (we don't have a printer now)

Hoping not to spend too much $$ and would also like to be able to do a wireless connection to computer (which I'm guessing means I would need a wireless router?)

Help and advice please! With a new baby on the way I know a photo printer is the only way I will actually ever get any prints off my memory card ;)

Thanks!