A Dose Of Epson (Epson Stylus Color 850)

Member Name: in1072

Product:	Epson Stylus Color 850
Date:	18/01/01 (95 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast, efficient and excellent quality

Disadvantages: A bit slow sometimes

After my old Canon printer (Rest In Peace) passed on I was in desparate need of a new printer. I am a part-time student and the amount of printing I had to do to get my projects in on time meant I couldn't realistically use the University printers...

The spec' I required was:

1) Fast
2) Efficient on the old ink
3) Quality must be the dogs
4) Mustn't cost the earth

I had a wander in PC World - don't usually buy from there unless there is an offer on - but needs must... then low and behold!!!

This printer is exactly what I needed. It takes a colour and a black cartridge (larger than some printers) so it lasts a good while. The quality goes up to 1440dpi but it still performs very well at 720dpi. It takes A4 and has an auto-feed for the paper which is nice. The cartridges cost up to £20 so check out Computer Fairs for the best deals!

The thing is it is very easy to maintain. It does tend to 'callibrate' itself on start up or during long prints - but this just ensures good quality printing through out. The cartridge change is a breeze. When the lights flash follow the instructions on the underside of the printer lid and you're off again!

Quality - excellent - I used Epson Photopaper for the real natty project covers - they turn out great. There is very little barring and the colour is very, very realistic and true to the original photo source.

The software that comes with it is ample and you can clean, check and adjust your printer from the desktop using the provided utilities. Nothing spectacular but I wasn't fussed about fancy software really!

Overall - I am well pleased - and when this eventually gives up the ghost I will stick with Epson. Yep I know there are cheaper one's on the market but I am a convert :) Price? I paid around the £200 mark because it was the latest thing at the time - well worth every penny :)

Summary: