For the interest of anyone that might have contributed or been following this
thread, or for someone searching the archives to find the solution to a
similar dilemma:
I now have the HP950c and can comment:
1) My usual rule is "never buy second hand unless you know what you are
buying". I broke that rule this time, and got a faulty printer! I have got
warrenty, so it will go back for repairs with little more cost to me than
lost time and inconvenience. (The parallel connector is broke, but usb works
fine, so I can use the printer now)
2) Again, second hand has hidden costs, the colour cartridge was almost empty
($78 for a new one) and the black one was half full. Even so, I got a $500
printer for $250 + 78 + (say) 40 = $368 so I'm happy. (all prices in
Australian $) The Epson would have cost me near $400 locally, and about $320
(+ freight) in Sydney, and even new stuff can be faulty out of the box...
3) Works fine from usb. Very good printer from Windows, the hp drivers are
great. From Linux, the default install gives 300x300 draft with a
cross-hatched colour. Definately an inferior print to that from the much
cheaper Canon bjc-3000 (we have one at work, and I hooked it to my laptop to
compare), however, the settings can be improved - I'm still learning, but
have now got some very nice prints (not as good as windows though) from the
gimp. In any case, the draft quality is all I want for 90% of my prints, so
that's ok.
All things considered, I'm happy I did the right thing, but if you want a
printer to do great prints from Linux now, go the Epson! If you can wait for
hp to release their opensource drivers, and the price is right, the HP is
good.
Trevor
