It is a very inexpensive upgrade. I have a R200 that I paid 53 dollars for, including tax but after sale and two rebates at CompUSA. I got it a couple of months ago but just hooked it up this week and I haven't tried any media yet. Yes, you need printable media, but this isn't a big deal. I got 100 printable 16X DVD-R at CompUSA on sale for around 35 dollars. CDs are even cheaper.
Epson ink is different from HP and Lexmark in that they use, is it eight or six? individual color cartridges rather then one for black and one for color. I have been told by Epson owners that this makes better prints, and you don't have to pay so much for replacements, all be it there are more of them. Some colors last a long time.
Other Inkjets, HP and Lexmark, put the heads in the cartridge, so when you replace a cartridge you get a new head. Not so with Epson. This use to be an issue because the heads would clog and weren't that easy to clean out. With another Inkjet you could just go get another cartridge. I haven't heard about this problem for a long time so maybe Epson resolved it.
The media that is kind of expensive is for LightScribe .... I think I paid 15 dollars for 10 Verbatim DVD+ and there is no speed shown on the box.
Of course, if you want to use third party labeling software, like SureThing, that will cost you 25 bucks to download. But it seems a lot better, and easier to work with then the Epson Drivers and or Nero 7.
All and all it is an inexpensive upgrade unless you are cranking out 100s of media a month. I have had the equipment for a couple of months, and am just getting around to printing something, so for me it is inconsequential. My biggest concern is the ink cartridges drying up from lack of use!
I assume there is special media needed, correct? Or can it print on any blank 80-minute CD-R? I'm trying to find out price and capacity of the media needed. The printer is obviously cheap, but how expensive are the ink refills? Any links with this info would be appreciated, thanks Veech
