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Archiver > TMG > 2000-03 > 0952101614


From: JH&K Whitehead <>
Subject: Re: TMG-L: Printer recommendation?
Date: Fri, 03 Mar 2000 08:40:14 -0800


Marsha Ensminger wrote:

> Slightly off subject, but...
> I'm seriously considering purchasing a Cannon BJC 5100 inkjet printer for its 11" X 17" paper capability. Has anyone used one of these with TMG?

Marsha,
I recently bought a BJC 5100 - for $99 after rebate I couldn't resist. I haven't used it extensively with TMG, but no problems so far. The problems I've had with Canon printers in the past mostly had to do with inflexible installation software - this one was easy to install without filling my hard drive with "creative" junk. Still, I'd suggest buying from a place with a 30-day refund policy in case there is a problem with your
particular system. The output quality seems excellent.
A few points (not necessarily deficiencies) to be aware of:
The printer takes two ink cartridges - mix or match black and color, with a special photo-color cartridge you use with the regular color for photos. For different types of printing, you need to change cartridges, and the printer needs to go through an alignment procedure - a minor hassle, but enough to be a factor in planning my print jobs. On the other hand, the range of choices - from reasonably fast black to spot color to photo color
- is very nice.
There is no paper tray for 11" x 17" paper, it must be fed manually, with care to align it properly.
It will print banners up to 66" long (I haven't tried this yet. I'm not sure whether banners can be 11" wide or only 8.5", and I'm not sure whether you can easily tile them to make a big chart.)
The ink cartridges seem expensive to me (but my primary printer is a laser, and all inkjet cartridges seem expensive to me.) The basic color cartridge has replaceable ink tanks, but the black and photo-color cartridges must be replaced entirely. I haven't printed enough yet to know how long they last.
So far I'm quite satisfied with the printer, and I feel that the minor inconveniences are more than offset by the output quality, the range of features, and the low price.

John Whitehead

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