[ Outline ] · Standard · Linear+ confused by printers

[artzelda]

I've got an old HP722 printer that finally made need replacing. Its given me great service but the darn thing now has trouble grabbing paper and absolutely cannot grab photo papers. So the question is what is a good printer to buy. I am partial to HP printers. What is the difference between an inkjet and photosmart printe?. I think the basic difference is that the photosmart cameras can print directly from a digital camera. I am looking for fast output, high resolution and a parallel port connection. I don't have any spare internal USB connections though I may be able to add one (haven't looked inside the box). Any recommendations????

[judson70]

The only difference between and "inkjet" and a "Photosmart" printer is the name "photosmart". they are both inkjets, HP just has a fancy name for the way it lays down the ink. If you're used to HP, by all means stick with it. You've probably already got your color spaces right so why mess with it. Personally I use a HP 1220 wide format injet to do all my printing unless someone is paying me for it. Then I'll use my Epson R800. It has pigment based inks that look a little better and supposedly last 70+ years (how many "real" photos last that long?).

The HP is a better value though ... inks cheaper (although all my color is in one cartridge, I often have to replace a unit when only one color is out).

As far as USB goes ... if you have a 2 port USB card ... they do make 4 and 5 port cards tha will go in the same PCI slot ... and oh yeah ... you can chain a hub in there too ... stay away from Parallel unless ABSOLUTLY neccessary, your next computer might not have a parallel port (remember ISA slots? Find a board that has one of them).