You have got a lot of tips by other users, even one recommending a Lexmark inkjet. I recommend Epson. Go to http://www.linuxprinting.org/printer_list.cgi?make=Epson and choose one of the "Perfectly" working models which are supported by the "stp" (GIMP-Print) driver. To install the printer under Mandrake 7.2, search for the appropriate "CUPS + GIMP-print" entry in the printer list. In addition, make sure that you have the newest version of the printing stuff. Read http://www.mandrakeforum.com/article.php3?sid=20001214090405 After the installation you should get excellent printouts, even if you do not perform a colour calibration ("calibrate-gimpprint" at the command line). In addition, there is a maintenance tool for Epsons ("escputil" at the command line, "man escputil" for documentation). I have an Epson Stylus Color 440 here. The photos look really nice, without calibration and even on plain paper. For good text printing make sure that you have updated to the newest version, as I have told above. There are also good HPs, but HP does not support the free software programmers very well. The new Photo RET III technology is not supported for that reason. The CRET II is under development and I am doing a lot of tests on an HP DeskJet 840C so that the GIMP-Print people can approve the quality. The problem is the transition between black ink and the mixture of all three coloured inks. So HP is not good for photos, but the print heads are changed with the cartridge (better for people who print VERY few pages. For now I cannot recommend HP. Lexmark has started to publish Linux drivers, bur they are not free software (source not published) and there are no PPD (printer description) files for CUPS to use them. So usage under Mandrake 7.2 is rather difficult. The Z52 is also supported by GIMP-Print, but I do not know how the quality is. Canon is also a bad choice, no support for Linux by the manufacturer at all. Sudden changes of the protocol (BJC 5xxx not supported at all) and probably much worse output quality with GIMP-Print than you can expect from Epson. So I think, the Epson Stylus Color 760 is your choice. If it does not work, check http://www.linuxprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=96288 And in general, see also http://www.linuxprinting.org/suggested.html before buying a printer. Till Trevor Farrell wrote: > > I know that this is a common question, but I would appreciate hearing from > anyone who has had experience with either a Canon BJC-6200 or an Epson > ColorStylus 760 under Linux (and particularly Mdk 7.2) I have shortlisted > these as the best 2 printers in my budget range that are presently available > locally. > > I have been to various sites that seem to suggest the Epson is better > supported under Linux, but others describe the Canon drivers as "operational". > > I am after a printer to do good quality printing - some colour photos, but > mostly B&W - at home. It must be useable under Linux, M$ Windows (98 & NT) > and maybe even BeOS, and also network accessable. > > I currently have a Lexmark 2030 which is a Win-printer and not able to > network even then! so I'm looking to replace it with something decent. > > Any help/opinions would be much appreciated. >
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