Can anyone suggest a economically priced 11 x 17 all-in-one printer? I prefer HP.

Thanks

It's best if you define your needs first, then research what printer delivers those needs. Then think about ways of achieving those needs - which includes not buying a scanner or printer.

Maybe a service bureau will suit your needs?

Determining price, brand, and size before any usage definition seems risky. I will take a risk also with this statement: everything I've experienced with all-in-one printers indicates not to buy them.

It's difficult for us to make any meaningful recommendations with the information you've given us.

Maury,

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as an economically priced 11 X 17 all in one printer. Every all-in-one unit I have seen will only print a maximum of 8.5 X 14 sheet size. 11 X 17 moves you into the Large Format market.

I echo what Chuck and Dave said, Maury. If you're looking to print photos as 11X17 I would suggest using a service like Mpix: http://www.mpix.com/default.aspx?SE=google depending on how much you need to print. If you have heavy needs, consider buying a photo printer that can handle 11X17 and these are not cheap. I would suggest Epson or Canon over HP for photo printing. I agree with Chuck that All-in-One printers are more trouble than they're worth.

Maury,

I would also not recommend an all-in-one printer for that size. Ideally, depending on your needs, you can get a good quality inkjet printer for the larger format stuff. Epson currently has one that is about $200.

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail....kie=yes&oid=63066043

I have an Epson Stylus Photo 1270, that I purchased at least 5 years ago. It still works great, and I get great quality prints on a large variety of print media (premium glossy, heavy-weight matte, and it will even print on canvas and watercolor paper). Epson and other paper suppliers sell 13" x 19" paper, that really isn't all that expensive. And, paper is a main key in getting good quality prints. I don't know if the printer that I supplied the link for has the capability, but I can insert 13" wide rolls of paper into mine, and print to probably 6-10 feet long. The inks for mine have been relatively inexpensive and last much longer compared to an Epson RX500 Stylus Photo, multi-function printer that I also have (only 8.5" x 11") - again, probably 2-3 years old. I would highly recommend Epson. I would not recommend HP, at least for inkjets or all-in-ones. Based on the experience of a close friend, their software is bloated, cumbersome, and problematic.

You might even get lucky, if you are interested in a 1270, and find one on eBay.

Obviously, as everyone mentioned, the decision to buy is based on your needs. If you are only going to print an occasional large format print, use a service. If the numbers are right to purchase a designated, larger format printer - and you will be making enough prints and want the control of output, then a separate larger format inkjet printer is the solution (but, not an all-in-one for that size).

quote:

everything I've experienced with all-in-one printers indicates not to buy them.

My Canon MP500 is tending toward becoming a scanner only.

Combining fax sending with a color inkjet printer, when monochrome printing is enough for faxes, has another risk. Some multifunction devices will not allow fax send if the device detects low ink level, even in a color cartridge. This can be quite awkward if you really need to send a fax and the device won't do it.

Low color ink level can be caused by the normal cleaning cycle of an inkjet printer. This happens regardless of use of color printing.