Inkjet Printers Reviews

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Inkjet Printers Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Inkjet Printers Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. PC Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Inkjet Printers M. David Stone As of Nov. 2007		PC Magazine is a prolific reviewer of inkjet printers. The reviews are balanced, comparative and thorough. Detailed benchmark results show comparative speeds. Reviews are excellent except for the lack of the wonderful print enlargements that PC Magazine used to publish for all inkjet printers. Readers must rely on David Stone's visual evaluation without that aid. He does thoroughly describe text, graphics and photo quality, and lets readers know how good each printer is in those regards relative to comparably priced printers. Each printer is rated, and three models reviewed this year are honored as Editors' Choices.
2. PrinterInfo.com	Printer Ratings Tom Warhol As of Nov. 2007		This new review source has some of the best printer reviews we found. Reviews are comprehensive and balanced. They are neatly arranged in multiple sections. The reports are more technical in places than some people might want, but section conclusions are in plain English. "Comparisons" are a section in each review. Each printer is rated in each section, and PrinterInfo.com provides overall rankings. Conclusions are decisive and comparative. Photos are very good, but we only found one print reproduction. The biggest negative is that PrinterInfo.com reports on fewer photo or general inkjet printers than many other reviewers -- not surprising as this site is still in its infancy.

Inkjet Printers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Inkjet Printers Ratings Comments on Reviews

3. CNet.com	Top photo inkjet printers Editors of CNet.com As of Nov. 2007		Only a couple of sources are as up-to-date as CNet.com in inkjet printer reviews, and CNet.com is also one of the most prolific reviewers. Reviews are written by different editors, so their quality can vary. In the best reviews, the printers are evaluated for features, speed, image quality, service and support and more. However, a few reviews are disappointingly superficial, and all reviews would benefit if sample prints were posted. On the plus side, the editors assign ratings making it easy to see how printers compare to others, and the best (in their opinion) make their way to this list of top photo inkjet printers. CNet.com also identifies what if feels are the very best inkjet printers with an Editors' Choice award, but no printer tested within the last year qualifies, and only one printer on the current list of top photo inkjet choices makes the grade.
4. Shutterbug.net	Scanners & Printers Editors of Shutterbug As of Nov. 2007		Shutterbug regularly reviews inkjet photo printers, and offers an image-quality-oriented perspective that is missing from too many other reviews. Reviews are illustrated with print reproductions and screen shots of driver controls. The reviews are great in those regards, but insufficient in others. Products aren't rated or ranked, and all reviews are favorable. Text quality isn't addressed. Reviews don't include meaningful comparisons. Yet, if photo printing is your sole buying consideration, Shutterbug is an exceptional source for reviews.
5. PopPhoto.com	Photo Printers Michael J. McNamara As of Nov. 2007		This website is the online home of sister magazines American Photo and Popular Photography & Imaging. Reviews are geared to serious amateur photographers and are highly technical. The focus is on high-end printers and even some professional models. Given that orientation, we can't entirely fault the magazines for liking all reviewed printers. Printers aren't compared much with each other, even in head-to-head reviews, but the discussion includes ample descriptions of both strengths and weaknesses. Actual measurements of printer performance provide a strong means of comparison. Some reviews include small reproduced photos, but we'd prefer to see them on the same web page.
6. photo-i.co.uk	Printer Reviews Vincent Oliver As of Nov. 2007		This British site is one of the better resources for those looking for a photo inkjet printer. Most of the printers reviewed are higher-end models that emphasize image quality over text and speed. Reviews are extremely detailed, with tons of photo samples so users can judge print quality for themselves. Especially helpful is a series of photos comparing detail produced by the printer under review and competing models. Ratings are provided, and the very best printers are honored with a Golden-i award. Many of the printers are available in the U.S.
7. Imaging- Resource.com	Printer Reviews Mike Pasini As of Nov. 2007		The Imaging Resource, a website devoted to digital photography, periodically reviews inkjet printers. Only three current models are reviewed: the Canon Pixma iP6600D, Canon Pixma Pro9000 and HP D7160. The printers are evaluated in detail. Reviews are comparative and lushly illustrated. Photos of prints are occasionally shown, but only to illustrate Pasini's points, rather than for comparative purposes. Printers are not rated or ranked. Some of the reviews seem too enthusiastic and unbalanced, but the fact that Pasini does not recommend the D7160 due to its unsatisfactory image quality is reassuring.
8. Macworld >> Details/Subscribe	Printer Reviews Rick LePage, Brian Chen As of Nov. 2007		Macworld describes a very respectable testing process. Prints are evaluated by a panel rather than an individual reviewer, but are not published for readers to form their own opinions. Only the occasional review is comparative, but ratings are satisfactorily varied, except that some explanation is needed as to why a $50 Canon printer earns the same rating as an $850 Canon printer. Consideration of the Mac interface and how the printers work with Mac-specific software make this one of the better resources for users of that operating system, however, all of the reviewed printers also work under Windows.

Inkjet Printers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Inkjet Printers Ratings Comments on Reviews

9. Which.co.uk >> Details/Subscribe	Printers Editors of Which.co.uk Oct. 11, 2007		English magazine Which? reviews 24 inkjets and chooses one model as a Best Buy. Although Which? covers the most current printers, more than half of the models are not sold in the U.S. Each short printer review is greatly enhanced by a chart that rates black-and-white quality, black-and-white speed, photographic quality and speed, ease of use, versatility and quietness. Each product earns a total rating, with scores ranging from 49 percent to 68 percent. The reviews are well-balanced and testing methodology is described. An independent laboratory measures cost of use.
10. What Digital Camera	Printer Reviews Editors of What Digital Camera As of Nov. 2007		What Digital Camera is a U.K. digital photography magazine. It frequently reviews inkjet printers, but does not publish the full content of those reviews online. The best reviews are directly comparative and conclude with scores. The magazine is potentially as good as any review source you'll find, but it has two serious limitations for U.S. consumers. One is the minimal online content (with limited newsstand availability of the magazine), and the other is that the printer manufacturers sell different models in the U.S. and Europe. Only the high-end consumer models are sold on both continents.
11. Trusted Reviews	Latest Reviews: Printers Simon Williams As of Nov. 2007		TrustedReviews is a U.K. website that regularly reviews inkjet printers, but many are not sold in the U.S. Testing is average, but better documentation is needed. Speed and cost of use are measured. The reviews are balanced, occasionally comparative, objective, and performance-oriented. Several models are recommended. Overall ratings and subcategory ratings for features, print quality, print speed, and value provide the primary basis for comparison. While ratings seem unduly high, one recently reviewed printer is clearly not recommended.
12. Wilhelm Imaging Research	Studies and articles about ink endurance Henry Wilhelm As of Nov. 2007		Wilhelm Imaging Research does not review products, it tests prints from inkjet printers. The lab "conducts accelerated light exposure and dark aging tests to determine the comparative life expectancy of inkjet and other digitally printed photographs." Results for individual printers are published on the Web site. Inks from the three major brands are now capable of enduring 100 years or more, providing true archival quality. If permanence is important to you, the site is worth checking for endurance ratings of individual models. Wilhelm also tests third-party (after-market, off-brand and store brand) inks, and finds most begin fading within months.
13. PC Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	20th Annual Reader Satisfaction Survey Subscribers of PC Magazine Sept. 13, 2007		PC Magazine conducts yearly service and support surveys of its subscribers. Computer product owners report on their ownership experiences, plus satisfaction and customer service. Editors compile and then report the data. A chart shows how owners fared with reliability and tech support, as well as what percentage of printers from each brand needed repair, and the owners' likelihood of recommending the brand. Canon has the highest overall rating, but the three major brands have similar ratings. Lexmark and Dell (printers made by Lexmark) have much lower ratings. Owners report a lower instance of repairs with HP than Canon or Epson.

Inkjet Printers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Inkjet Printers Ratings Comments on Reviews

14. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	Printers Editors of Consumer Reports June 2007		Consumer Reports periodically updates its chart of "regular" printers. The currently posted chart includes several discontinued models, including one of the two in CR Quick Recommendations. Most models that are top-rated in reviews elsewhere in the past two years are not evaluated by Consumer Reports. The magazine's general buying advice is also somewhat dated. The lack of even moderately up-to-date coverage limits the value of this report.
15. Steves Digicams.com	Untitled Editors of Steves-Digicams.com As of Nov. 2007		Steve's Digicams occasionally reviews inkjet and dye-sublimation printers. The reviews are thorough, detailed, and aimed at photo enthusiasts. However, they are more informative than critical, and Steve likes everything without reservation. Although products aren't rated, the individual reviews touch on how the printer compares to other similar models. Only one model is reviewed this year: the Canon Pixma Pro9500. Given that Steve's hasn't reviewed a current HP or Epson printer (no reviews of either brand since 2005), the review has an inadequate frame of reference. It is a reasonable secondary source for someone only considering the Pro9500 or the Pro9000, which are compared.
16. Personal Computer World	Hardware - Inkjet Printers Editors of Personal Computer World As of Nov. 2007		British sister publications Personal Computer World and Computeract!ve review many inkjet printers in their November and December 2006 issues, but nothing since. A handful of the reviewed models are currently sold in the U.S. The reviews are brief, but informative. Meaningful comparison requires reading the full reviews, because all products are highly rated. Comparisons are good, but not detailed and not always direct. Prints are not reproduced.
17. Computer Shopper	Peripherals, Printers, and Networking Editors of Computer Shopper As of Nov. 2007		Computer Shopper reviews inkjet printers on occasion. The reports are fairly brief but clearly show hands-on evaluations are being made. Still, most other reviewers go into more depth than what's typically found here. An editors' rating helps readers see which printers do best, but site organization makes navigation very difficult. A page of top inkjet printers lists models that appear to have been evaluated when Computer Shopper was still part of CNet.com.
18. PCPro.co.uk	Inkjet printer reviews Editors of PCPro.co.uk As of Nov. 2007		British magazines PC Pro, Computer Buyer and Computer Shopper UK review a modest selection of inkjet printers that are available in the U.S. The reviews are short, but succinctly cover most of the major buying considerations. A few of the reviews are directly comparative, but all products are rated one to six stars with reasonable variation. Individual product reviews are marred at times by curious comments, such as describing the HP Deskjet 6980 as "a bit of a niche product" because it is "a single printer for text, photos, and graphics." Computer Shopper reviewer Simon Handby says that all entry-level Canon Pixma printers make ominous noises.
19. PCAdvisor.co.uk	Printer Reviews Editors of PCAdvisor.co.uk As of Nov. 2007		PC Advisor regularly reviews inkjet printers, but many are not sold in the U.S. The reviews are uneven because the English magazine uses multiple reviewers (many of whom also write for U.S. magazines such as PC World or Macworld). Subcategory ratings for build quality, features and value are usually the only tools reviewers offer for comparison. However, most printers earn 4-star overall ratings, which makes identifying the best models impossible. Two HP printers reviewed in January 2006 earn gold awards, but nothing newer is honored, and more recently reviewed printers aren't compared with those presumed standard bearers.
20. Small Business Computing.com	An Office Inkjet for Photo Lovers Jamie Bsales Feb. 15, 2006		In this single product review, Jamie Bsales says that the HP Deskjet 6980 does a great job handling typical office printing chores and can deliver "stunning photographic output." The convenience of wireless printing is also a major plus. The review does a good job of discussing the printers' positives and negatives, including print speeds that while good, don't measure up to a laser printer if you expect good quality. However, few other printers are reviewed here and no comparisons are made to other printers, so the review lacks the context to make it truly worthwhile.
21. Tom’s Hardware Guide	Buyer's Guide: 11 Color Inkjet Printers Justin Korelc, Ed Tittel, Barry Gerber June 25, 2007		This is a fine informational article, but it is not a review. Neither text nor image quality is addressed. Features are compared in a chart, and in descriptions of each printer. The article does cover print speeds, but the reviewers don't say if the cited speeds are from test results or the manufacturers. In fact, testing is not mentioned. The article does not include ratings or print reproductions.
22. Amazon.com	Inkjet Printers Contributors to Amazon.com As of Nov. 2007		Customers of Amazon.com contribute reviews and ratings of products they've purchased. Site navigation is unpleasant -- all types of current and discontinued inkjets are lumped together without good sorting tools. So, Amazon.com is only useful once you've narrowed down your choices to a couple of models. The Canon Pixma Pro9000, Epson Stylus Photo R1800, and HP Deskjet 6980DT have the highest average ratings among models with a significant number of user reviews. However, most printers have high average ratings.

Inkjet Printers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Inkjet Printers Ratings Comments on Reviews

23. Newegg.com	Printers & Multifunction Devices > print technology: InkJet Contributors to Newegg.com As of Nov. 2007		Many of Newegg.com's customers are sophisticated and opinionated computer users. Few printers have significant quantities of user reviews. Among those that do, the Epson Stylus R1800 has the highest level of satisfaction. All customers think it is at least very good, and 88 percent rate it excellent. The smaller and more affordable Epson Stylus R380 is a distant second in customer satisfaction. Many owners complain about wasted ink and the cost of use of the Epson Stylus R260. Epson printers have far more user reviews than Canon or HP printers, even HP printers that have been on the market more than a year.
24. PC World >> Details/Subscribe	Top 10 Inkjet Printers Danny Allen Jan. 17, 2007		Though PC World reviews all sorts of printers, inkjet printers appear to have slipped between the cracks and its most recent ratings are too out-of-date to be of use. Two of the top three models are long discontinued, and the other has limited availability. PC World has only reviewed one inkjet printer this year. Its rating would place it in the middle of the top ten, but it is also discontinued. PC World's past reviews are unduly focused on features and speed, but the charted information in the test reports is good.
25. Smart Computing >> Details/Subscribe	Who Needs A PC? Marty Sems Feb. 2007		Smart Computing rarely reviews inkjet printers. This review of the Epson R380 is the only current inkjet printer covered by the magazine. The review typifies enthusiast reviews on consumer opinion websites. Reviewer Marty Sems describes his personal home use of the printer. His wife is enamored with it and he likes the computer-free printing. The lack of measured testing and comparisons result in a review that's not very useful overall.