I need a compatible printer for for Linux
 

I have a Dell 720 Photo Printer that I've tried every suggestion offered to me to make work, with no success. I downloaded the Lexmark Red Hat driver, but it's too complicated for me to install. Does anyone know of an inexpensive printer that is Linux compatible that I can get on eBay? There are many printer drivers listed, but I don't know which to get. I don't have a fortune. I also have the Red Hat driver on my desktop, but don't know what to do with it. Any suggestions would be greatly be appreciated.

Most of the HP printers are quite compatible with linux.

These...

http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web...ces/index.html

However, if you posted more information about your problem, what you tried and what messages you received in response, you might get help to install the printer you have.

You can look at the drivers available on your system, in /usr/share/foomatic/db/source/printer (or somewhere like that). Most distros give a full set of HP drivers, because they are open source. For Epson drivers, visit
http://avasys.jp/eng/
For a large list of supported items,
http://www.linuxprinting.org

One more thing. Lexmark is the worst in Linux compatibility regarding printers.

Go with Hewlett Packard and don't buy an eBay used printer. Unless you get it for practically nothing and don't expect it to work for long. Printers are like cameras, buying a used one is very risky.
I have an Epson printer -- a CX4600 I think -- that is very good with Linux. Used it quite a bit before I got a Hewlett Packard PSC 1600 series.

Are there any inexpensive HP printers on the market? Most of the ones I've seen in the ads are targeted at business users. Some possible model numbers would be a great help. Thanks to you all for your input.

did you try just installing CUPS (common unix printing system)
it should have a generic driver and probably will work

HP inkjet printers tend to be cheap but the ink is costly. Buying the more expensive HP laser printers that are 'high volume' and targeted at business will save you a packet in the long run. HP distribute hplip which is open source and makes most of their printers compatible with Linux. (it also uses CUPS)

Mostly, Dell printers are rebranded from some manufacturer more famopus for its printers (sometimes with litle plastic lugs added to make it more difficult for you to get cheap ink cartridges), so if you could find out what printer your would have been if you had bought it from the original manufacturer, the driver for that would probably work.

You look to be running something Debian-derived, so the Redhat package is always going to be problematic.

Try 'linuxprinting' or 'hardware comapability list' for compatability lists. The normal situation is that if you install with the printer plugged in and switched on, and you select CUPS for installation, some magic behind the scenes means that it just works, but obviously that only happens with compatible printers.

Yes, there are fairly inexpensive HP printers. Shop around at Best Buy, etc.

HP have a thing that helps you select a suitable printer:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...roduct_advisor

It used to have an option to select OS, but it's gone :s

~Callum

What is inexpensive for the one is expensive for the other. I bought a HP1005 (BW laserjet) a little while ago for ZAR 800 (roughly US$100).

I got an HP Deskjet D4260 a while ago for £25. I don't do a lot of printing, mostly text files, so it suits me. Cheap, simple, and reliable (just like its owner :) ).

hp 4200 series works without issue
 

I have a cheapy hp all in one print/fax/scan/copier 4215 that has worked flawlessly despite me and my lack of knowledge, even to share it across the network. It was actually easier to get it running under mandriva shared with 2 ubuntu machines than it with any version of windows which the installation discs were written for. GO LINUX! lol

CUPS and the hp drivers from the repositories essentially downloaded themselves when I connected the printer.

Again...

http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/recommended.html

I don't know if anyone else has posted this, but fyi...

Cheap Lexmark Printer
 

Hi,

I have a little HP Deskjet D1530 that was $29.99 US at the usual electronics chains and you can refill color and black cartridges at various drug stores for $15 and $12 US. Yea, I know still expensive.

And as others have said, avoid Lexmark and install CUPS if you have it. Someone else mentioned Epson and years ago I remember when Espon was the first company to actually help the X-Nix community with drivers. Lexmark thought their drivers were just to special to allow anyone to fool with. :-)


Have fun.

I recently bought a cheapy Hp D1660. Needs the newest hplip software to work. Make sure you can install and run hplip 3.9.8. This version is not available for Ubuntu yet and a manual install caused a sh*t load of problems in Mint 7.

Thanks to you all for your responses. I'll keep an eye out for a HP printer on sale, mabye at Office Depot, Office Max, Best Buy and of course Wal-Mart. As long as I come out under $80, I'll be fine. All I need it for is to print articles,emails and coupons. I don't do photos or any of that fancy stuff. Sometimes, stores have "open box" items and nothing's wrong with it.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...e=CB770A%23B1H - Probably awful

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...e=CH366A%23B1H

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...e=CH396A%23B1H

All of those are under $60

~Callum