It’s time to replace our ancient, wired printer, and step into the wireless printing world. Would really like an all-in-one (printer, scanner, fax) that also does really nice photos. I’ve taken zillions of digital photos, but we haven’t printed any of them. I’d like to be able to take some of them and print up to 8x10, if possible. Anybody got a machine like this (assuming it exists) that they like?
Spot
I have a Canaon Pixma (older model) that is pretty good. From what I understand the new Pixma MG6450 is supposed to be really good for photos (I think they run a photo grey as well as a photo blank ink, along with 4 color so the tonality is better).
That said - you will never match a dedicated photo printer with them, so “awesome” may be a relative term. For my film converted to digital stuff - I take it to a pro printer if I want hard copy.
The best photo printer is the one you don’t own. I have yet to find a consumer grade photo printer that matches even what an instant print from Walmart does, let alone a photo specialty place, as a good photo printer requires a lot of maintenance, cleaning etc. Good inks are $$$. Good paper is pricier still. Getting someone else to print is both cheaper and better quality.
Just get any old wireless inkjet, and then when you have something that you want on a wall, go online and order it. I’ve used mostly Blacks (in Canada) but I’ve also heard good things about Adorama.com. There are a bunch of others too.
I have a 1-year old Brother MFC-J835DW wireless and all-in-on and I really like it.
I rarely print pictures from the printer but overall no complain.
Fred.
I’ll pretty much echo what the previous two have added, and suggest that if you want display-grade prints then your best bet is to either acquire a photo-specific printing machine or take them to a commercial printer.
This is one technology that time forgot. Advancements in printing capability have been incremental, but modern machines are just as plagued with reliability and maintenance issues as they were two decades ago. We’ve had Lexmark and Canon printers that were all-in-one styles. As day-to-day printers, they worked well - when they worked. As photo printers, they were adequate for low-grade digital images. We also had a Kodak printer that made 3x5 and 5x7 prints, which worked well, but was costly.
If you want good quality photo prints, take them to a photo center. Like others have said, even walmart or costco photo printing will give you much better results than any consumer grade printer. With the cost of the printer and toner/ink, I find it cheaper to have someone else print them.
If you print other stuff fairly regularly, get the cheapest all-in-one you can find.
I have the same line, Pixma, and it never stays on the wireless network and now my laptop won’t even recognize the driver.
New laptop is on order but I’m still not convinced I’ll be able to keep the printer on the wireless network. Is yours reliable? I wouldn’t recommend it based on my experience.
Been running about two years now no issue other than some slow printing depending on the file (find it very slow with lots of embedded graphics). I have noticed Win 7 Home can have difficulties, but my work machine which is win 7 pro has never had an issue. I can also print wirelessly to it from any of my android devices. Had to go to Canon Europe sites to get the linux drivers - fine for wireless print, have to be cabled to do TWAIN scans.
My biggest bitch about it is the ink doesn’t last anywhere near as long as claimed and is bloody expensive - may go Epson next time.
I was going to post that your ideal printer doesn’t exist, but everyone has beaten me to it 
I’ve got a bother laser, wireless, and I never have problems with it network wise. I’d buy an all-in-one from them if I needed one.
The best quality all in one I’ve ever seen was a Konica/Minolta BizHub.
I’m running Win 7 home so that might explain it. I’m upgrading to a Mac so hopefully that fixes it.
I’m not sure if you have Walgreens or similar near you but you are going to get much better and more cost effective photo printing. It’s so easy to upload I recently printed 900 high quality photos for $54 next day ready. It’s super easy to upload and leave them there and sometimes they have amazing deals so I just kind of wait and hit go when the time is right. I say F the over priced home printer ink and crappy low quality printers.
We have the HP 6700 and I like it. Costco periodically puts it on sale for $99. The cost, of course, is the ink but I’m ok with that. I’ve printed pictures and they appear great. I’m sure not as great as some super duper expensive photo printer, but way more than adequate for our needs.
Thanks…I hadn’t even thought about the upload thing. That makes things a lot easier.
Appreciate everyone’s responses.
Spot