11x17 Printer Recomendations

[.chad]

I am doing some research on an 11x17 printer to replace an old printer that is on its last legs. I would prefer it print in color and have additional paper trays for 8x11 paper. Duplexing and networking arent necessary or required, although networking would be nice. I have chatted with HP pre-sales and have information on what they offer but am open to other brands.

Thanks -

[Railrose]

Are you talking heavy use, or light duty?

[.chad]

Somewhere in between. We have a plotter for regular work and another multi-function machine for general printing. The 11x17 would run half-size sets and the occasional color board if we get a color machine. There are some weeks when it will get hammered and others where i doubt it will get much use at all. Two weeks ago I ran about 200 11x17 sheets over two or three days and haven't printed that size since.

the HP rep recommended:

LaserJet 5200tn
Inkjet 2800
LaserJet M3035 (multi-function)
Color LaserJet CM6030 (way more printer than we need)

I would prefer one that we can put in multiple paper trays to use as a secondary printer for specs and other large documents, which aren't all that common. I am sure once we actually get one and people realize how nice the 11x17 pages are it will get pretty good use.

Office is 6 people - so heavy use is relative

[Railrose]

At home, I use a HP 9800 It makes very nice prints, but isn't a speed demon, & only has 1 paper tray. It's made for photos, so handles image files nicely.

In the office, we have a Ricoh Aficio. It cranks them out fast, & nice lines. It may be a bit of an overkill for you, though. It does nice vector work, but sometimes is a little slow processing image files.

[MMccomb]

I may be a little late for this discussion, but the HP9800 has been a very nice 11x17 printer. We have two for our office. Prior to that we were using the HP9650 (basically the same thing), without error for 3 years? Then it took a dump.