Best printer

[powerbits]

I have convinced my dad to work on kubuntu and he likes it.

Now i would like a printer that works out of the box.

It would be a typical scanner/printer but i dont want to fiddle with terminal and installation stuf.

Are there any printers that work directly?

[kbunt]

Re: Best printer

Do you want multifunction, inkjet or laser or colour laser?

Google OpenPrinting or Linux Printing.

www.linuxprinting.org/

I am guessing Samsung, Brother and HP are good printers in Linux. I think the first two require a bit of configuration and HP usually requires installing the HPLIP package. Some users might suggest Lexmark but I am not sure about that. It depends which one. Check the website.

I have an older Samsung ML-2150 laser that works 'out of the box' IIRC. Brother printers work well, too. The older printers are a bit easier to work with but newer ones usually require some sort of 'cupswrapper' or driver you can download from the manufacturer/brand website (to get full features of the printer).

The site above will give you an idea and act as a guide.

HP might be the best choice for multifunction machines (if supported by HPLIP)?

[josefko]

Re: Best printer

I have an older Samsung ML-2150 laser that works 'out of the box' IIRC.

I had a problem with ML-2010, because Kubuntu driver didn't allow to print more source pages to one paper page. If you do not need something like this I think Samsung is a good choice.

[GreyGeek]

Re: Best printer

I have the Samsung ML-1210 laser printer working faultlessly on Kubuntu. More recent version should work equally as well. I have my printer connected via a Linksys WPS54G wireless printer server set to http://192.168.1.99:631 so that both my and my wife's computer can use it off of the wireless, no matter what dhcp address the wireless gives our laptops, beginning at 192.168.1.100.

I also have the HP Officejet 5610 All-in-One Printer that connects to my USB port. XSane and GIMP both see the scanner and work well with it. The printer function works perfectly, as does the copier, but the copier doesn't need an OS. The only thing I don't like about the 5610 is the price of the refills. The HPLIP toolbox works nicely.

[kjjjjshab]

Re: Best printer

HP. They have a serious commitment to linux. A lot of different brand printers can work (i.e. print), but the checking of ink levels, etc. is not an easy task. HP has a linux app for those things.

http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/downloads.html
http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web...ces/index.html

I got an Epson as a gift, and was thrilled when I could finally justify spending money on a replacement... I really feel you can't go wrong with HP... obviously, check their website to be your the particular model you like is supported, but me personally, I have never been disappointed with them.

Oh yeah, HPLIP is in the repos, so no need to worry about installing it from HP.

I will add that the only negative experience with my new HP printer is that is pretty noisy... much more so than my Epson (that has nothing to do with linux of course, but it is a complaint I did see quite often when I was researching models).

[DeathKitten]

Re: Best printer

I would also like to throw in my word of support for HP. I love their printers... have since before I became a full time Linux user, but the love grew once I found out I had the brand that would work beautifully under Linux.

One thing I highly recommend, from a not specific to Linux standpoint, is be careful about which one of their printers you choose. Some of the less expensive "home user" level printers will really shaft you on ink cartridge capacity. Look at the models that offer XL cartridges, and their OfficeJet line. It used to be their cartridge capacity was fine, when I bought mine, the cartridges were the size of my fist and pretty much filled up to the top with ink and the newer models are easily a half the size and sometimes only half full. Unfortunately, this seems to be the practice almost completely across the brands these days. Annoying.

I'm tempted to upgrade my printer to get a better performing model, but I'm afraid of how much it'll jump my ink costs up unless I plunk down a good amount of cash to do it. I have other things more sorely in need of bring upgraded first, so for now I'll hang onto my older printer and take stuff to work when I need tiny print margins and higher quality.

[kbunt]

Re: Best printer

Are you talking about all HP printers or just certain onees? Lasers only or including other types such as Inkjet or Photo printers?

I changed my mind about HP printers today. I had to use a Photosmart C4580 and it was cool to learn of this at first because I was sure that it was Linux-friendly. It's also a wireless model. But, it was a pain to use. Constant jams and feeding the paper was annoying. The paper wouldn't insert smoothly. There's a good review on this printer at 'Trusted Reviews.' They are right on the money, at least in the first part of the article. I wanted to buy a Multi-function HP printer (such as Photosmart) since I wanted an inkjet but a copier feature as well. But, this printer wasn't much fun to use.

I am not sure if their lasers are as problematic but I am keeping my eye out for a cheap laser, too. It was between Samsung and HP for a laser but I'm not sure it should be between two makes now or not.

As for Multi-function printer candidates, I'm not sure which make is a good choice now. HP was highly regarded for the Linux compatibility but what other company has some decent Linux support? When it comes to inkjet and other functions, that is, which make has decent printers that would work in Linux without too much configuring hassles?

[fidesratioque]

Re: Best printer

I use an SPC-1400 HP inkjet that is a few years old, and it works great, no configuration. Just plug it in and it works!

[kjjjjshab]

Re: Best printer

...Constant jams and feeding the paper was annoying. The paper wouldn't insert smoothly...

Yeah, my HP C309a can certainly grab a sheet of paper crooked once in a while, but I think all multi-function printers these days are somewhat crap. BUT, I can at least change my ink without booting into windows, which is something I can't say about my Epson.

And, in fact, I'd gladly (obviously within reason) put up with a slightly more cost, slightly worse performance printer to support a company that supports Linux. But that is clearly a personal choice.

[kevinc]

Re: Best printer

As already said, it depends if you want laser, inkjet, multifunction etcetera.

Kubuntu - last few releases - all work OOTB with HP multifunction inkjets, but not all lasers, especially the cheaper ones - don't know why.

I was very impressed when Hardy (I think) finally allowed me to print on my old Canon i80 bubblejet.
Lexmark - especially the cheaper ones are paperweights - the ink costs more than the printers and you may as well buy a new printer because they won't last much longer than one ink cartridge - at least the one and only one that I bought some years ago.

There are new models coming out all the time, so get a current one that meets your needs.

[powerbits]

Re: Best printer

i have the 4580 photosmart, he prints nicely

but i dont seem to get the scanner working

any ideas?

[kjjjjshab]

Re: Best printer

What happens when you launch an app like skanlite?

[Cotopaxi]

Re: Best printer

I would recommend the following procedure:

select >Applications >System >Printing

select “new Printer”, click on “new Printer”

select “LPD/LPR Host or Printer”, click on “Forward”

Now you see all the brands, which are in the database

You now select a brand and click on “Forward”

You see a list of printers, which are in the database.

By clicking on “back”, you can now browse between the different brands and you can find out which printers will work “out of the box”.

I was engaged to buy a HP Laser printer (black/white) but, when studying the cost of printing per page, I found out that HP toner was twice as expensive (in cost of printing per page) as SAMSUNG toner, so I ended up buying a SAMSUNG ML-1640 Laser printer (b/w). It is in the database and it worked out of the box.

[powerbits]

Re: Best printer

He recognised the printer, only the scanner is not working

[kevinc]

Re: Best printer

You may need to manually install some of the scanner programs such as xane to get the scanner to work. My HP PSC 1310 worked nicely with Hardy, Intrepid but with Jaunty I had to go looking for the missing programs and install them, now it works nicely.