Looking for a good Linux compatible Printer

Grudaire

I'm planning to buy a printer which will mainly be used for printing notes etc, however I would also like to be able to print good quality pictures and photos (I may be a bit greedy asking for both options)

I've found this site here which gives a quick rundown on compatibility http://www.openprinting.org/printers but it doesn't give reviews on the printers, and whenever I find a positive review it appears to not be linux compatible...

I'm finding it hard to find a printer that I know to be:

-Linux compatible,
-Good quality printing,
-efficient (for the mundane printing),

What printers have you found to work, and are good?

Thanks for any help

shizz

Every printer iv'e ever owned worked straight away with Ubuntu linux. From old dell, a samsung laser printer to a new hp wireless printer. I couldn't really speak for any else but I never thought of it as a problem.

When you say its not compatible with Linux, are these experienced customers saying it? Cause generally companies just don't put the linux tag on things because they don't bother testing on it. That doesn't mean it won't work.

Grudaire

It's not on the list above is really how I judge compatibility - I have found Linux to work with everything I've ever tried it with, but I'd like to get a printer that could print photo's - I was hoping someone on the forum here might have used one that fit the bill

Johnboy1951

You could check the manufacturers site to see if they do a Linux driver for the model/s you are interested in.

HP generally have great support in Linux ... others too .... but particular models need to be checked for the availability of a Linux driver.

Jagera

Are you also looking into a multi-function printer? i.e. with Scanner/Copier?

I recently bought a Epson SX445W (99.00 EUR) and it was a pain in the backside. Partially due to the printer and partially due to Linux compatibility. I could not get the scanner working AT ALL. I could scan to a memory card, then copy to the PC but you can imagine how time consuming that is.

The printer ended up having a hissey fit and the printer heads stopped working. Took it back to where I bought it, and they said I could exchange for anything else.

I exchanged it for a Canon PIXMA MG5250 (was 140.00 in PC World, then saw them recently on dabs for 96 odd :mad:) It's a far superior printer. I cannot get XSane or other SANE scan software to see it, however I can use scangear - which I have to say is rubbish.

Epson have Linux drivers through www.avasys.com and Canon drivers can be obtained via their website.
My ancient Epson (R.I.P.) and my father-in-law's 40 Euro Canon work perfectly, with xsane & all.

Stuxnet

i have this cant say Ive printed any photos tho, but works fine for paper prints, there is a liniux driver on the samsung support site

from the catalogue page

Compatible with Windows 2000 or later, OS v10.3 to 10.6, Linux.

Grudaire

Thanks for the replies, printer/copier is a bonus but I'd prefer it to print good pictures.

I'm having a look at all the links - would it be better to have two separate printers I wonder?

Johnboy1951

Cliste wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, printer/copier is a bonus but I'd prefer it to print good pictures.

I'm having a look at all the links - would it be better to have two separate printers I wonder?

If you have a lot of notes to be printed, then a cheap B&W laser printer would seem ideal for the job.

Then pick a separate printer that is suitable for the colour printing you have in mind.

Orion

I've a Brother mfd. It works perfectly under Linux. It's a network device also. DCP365cw. Brother fully support Linux. Full, detailed install instructions on their website. Printer and scanner work perfectly.

BopNiblets

HP ones are supposed to be good with Linux, I have a Photosmart B110a and it works fine.
Can't comment on photo printing though.

Al Capwned

I'm a recent convert to Linux Mint12 and my Epson CX125 worked straight away - no disc required.

Grudaire

I didn't know that about Brother printers being supported! They have got a decent linux section now that I've found it. Is the printing quality good Orion?

The HP photosmart is one I'm looking into as well!

Does the Epson print good alproctor

Al Capwned

no problems so far anyway....

Galen

If you want a Multi Function printer, from my experience HP is your best option.

boomslang

HP are very well supported under linux - so I bought one and have had no issues

Moonbeam

We have a "HP CQ521B Photosmart Premium e-All-in-One with Fax Web Enabled Printer" and so far I am very happy with it.
We have a few macs and a few laptops(mostly debian and ubuntu) and no issues at all.

aquascrotum

I've found Epsons to work out of the box,including multi funtion printers.

Am also a fan of the Epsons as they seem to have the cheapest ink going.

From experience, steer clear of Lexmarks.

Worztron

Cliste wrote: »

I'm planning to buy a printer which will mainly be used for printing notes etc, ...

Hi Cliste. What printer did you settle with in the end?

Brother printers generally work fine in GNU/Linux.

BopNiblets

I read something on reddit recently that Brother are probably the most cost effective printers to get and the rest are a big waste of ink/money/resources.
Might sway your decision, I regret getting the HP printer now!