What printer manufacturers support linux?

[valadil]

Hi. I'm going to pick up a new printer soon and naturally I'd like it to run in Linux. I'd prefer one whose manufacturer actively supports linux, just so I can support them, but if none do, that's fine. I just want a printer that will work in linux with little hassle and not cost me $70 to replace the ink cartridges which dry up after two weeks of inactivity.

[ssjf]

As far as I know, none of them do. Good luck.

Also, printers are comparitivly (sp?) no-hassle in linux compared with other hardware that you could have. Depending on the distro, printers range in ease from auto-setup to slightly difficult.

[dbfruth]

Samsung supports linux

[hlrguy]

http://www.linuxprinting.org/

HP has developed some of the native drivers. They release hpijs for my HLRDeskjet 694C, however, I use the gimp-print drivers developed by others since it is better quality. Go figure. I *think* Lexmark is also. You would probably have to go to each vendor and search on Linux. For example, a search on Canon's web page for 'Linux' produced ZERO hits.

hlrguy

[sharth]

try that refill thing that has been out and about. worked decently for black, never tried color. It's an odd idea, but it works :)

[camelrider]

My 24-pin dot-matrix Epson LQ-850 gives me all the monochrome quality I need, ribbons are cheap (but it pays to get good-quality ribbons (maybe US$7.00)) and the Linux drivers are very mature.

I don't know if Epson actively supports Linux but it seems that drivers become available for their new printers pretty quickly.

[BFK4ever]

Get an HP if you can, lots of their models are supported. I would opt for a DeskJet 840C, as it's what I have, and it rules! Auto-setup under all the distro's I have tried except for a couple...

[Luis Q. R.]

Lexmark does, they provide drivers you can download from their site, and they have the same quality as the Windows ones. They even have the same configuration window, and you don't need to configure programs like OpenOffice to use the printer.

I have a Lexmark Z33 usb printer and it is the best I could get for 56€. Go get it.

Salud.

[sharth]

Originally posted by Luis Q. R.
Lexmark does, they provide drivers you can download from their site, and they have the same quality as the Windows ones. They even have the same configuration window, and you don't need to configure programs like OpenOffice to use the printer.

I have a Lexmark Z33 usb printer and it is the best I could get for 56€. Go get it.

Salud. I have some problems with page size on the 840c, but otherwise no problems. works perfectly with cups.

[Hayl]

i love my HP LaserJet 2100. never driver problems with HP. a lot of their drivers work for other models of their printers as well. i'd REALLY like a colour HP tho :)

[wapcaplet]

I'd also say go for an HP. (Though, I honestly haven't had much experience with other brands). They seem to work fine in Linux, and are relatively cheap.

We have two HPs (920C and 940C, virtually identical printers, both under $100 retail) and they work just as well in Linux as Windows. Newer distributions probably support common printer models by default, otherwise you can find driver installation instructions on HP's site.

I don't know how their ink prices compare to other brands, but typical ones are around $30 each for either color or black (and they last quite a long time!)

[arthurking]

I was hoping someone would ask a question like this, just so I could give them this advice.
' Do not buy any canon products because they do not support Linux and do not intend to '
I could have cut and pasted, to quote the email reply I recieved from canon, but I deleted the email. I will never buy another canon product because of their attitude towards linux. I hope this will influence you too!

[retoon]

Lexmark supplies actual linux binary drivers for their printers. They are the best deal for the money. For $100.00, the lexmark z55se prints at 4800X1200 dpi, 17ppmBK 13PPMCL. Lexmark provides your drivers for you, on their main drivers download page, and offers linux tech support for their printer setup. Lexmark gives you affordability and performance, HP gives you steadiness and reliability with decent prints. HP has only recently released the source for their hpijs driver. http://hpinkjet.sourceforge.net/
I prefer lexmark, but notice that HP has the name, and for a good reason too. Go to www.staples.com, and run a search for the lexmark z55se. Free shipping in the US, and you can download the drivers for it at http://www.lexmark.com/. Comes with two full cartidges, estimated yield at 10 percent coverage is Black: 650 pages Color: 350 to 400 pages depending on quality of print set.

[retoon]

Almost forgot, stay away from epson printers. They have the highest resolution at 5760X1440 in the market, I give them that, and offer an adjustable picaliter droplet. Their big problem is that they seperate the cartridge from the printer head, and leave the printer head built into the machine. I know that they don't use thermal inkjet technology, but wear and tear still occurs on those contacts, and the printer head eventually dies, and not at a convenient time, such as while it is covered under warranty. HP and lexmark both integrate the printer head into the cartridge. Canon sells each color cartridge seperately from the printerhead, MCYK. But each cartridge is ruffly the same price as the Lexmark or HP cartridges, and you still have to swap the printer head out for a new one every three or four times you change the cartridge. Another thing, 4800X1200 dpi(dots per inch) will basically give you a photo quality print that is simply incredible. Go for it, you will be happy you did no matter what machine you get.

[valadil]

Looks like I'll go for an HP. Thanks, guys :-)