NEW Epson 4900 vs as new epson 4880 @50%less

[archivue]

hi,

i need to buy a new printer for books, small prints...
i wan't a pro 4xxx model
i'm printing only in matt
i will probably need to print BW this year, probably on a baryt paper (matt ink or glossy ink for it ? )

i have the opportunity to buy a as new 4880 for half the price of the new 4900

considering my use, shall i go for it ?

thanks

 

[tetsrfun]

I have a 4880 and am very happy with it. IMO, the big negative is the ink switching. It involves temp replacement of some ink carts and I have seen an estimate that the cost of wasted ink is about $70. A minor problem is head clogs. Unlike my 3800, which could sit for months and not clog, the 4880 will clog nearly 100% if it is not used routinely. This hasn't been a real problem since running one or two "test" prints has always clear the head and I have never had to do an ink wasting power clean.

As far a cost/benefit, that is obviously a personal decision. I paid ~$900 for mine a year or so ago when Epson had overlapping rebates. Well worth the $900.

Steve

 

[archivue]

I paid ~$900 for mine a year or so ago when Epson had overlapping rebates.

here in france, the prices aren't the same... i wonder why ?

best price at the moment, and no rebate :

4900 = 2250 euros excluding VAT
4880 = 1850 euros excluding VAT

 

[tetsrfun]

I paid ~$900 for mine a year or so ago when Epson had overlapping rebates.

here in france, the prices aren't the same... i wonder why ?

best price at the moment, and no rebate :

4900 = 2250 euros excluding VAT
4880 = 1850 euros excluding VAT

I just checked on-line price, so no tax for most people...Epson has $500 USD rebate until March so a 4990 is $1995 and 4880 is $1099.

Steve

 

[Jorgen Udvang]

I just checked on-line price, so no tax for most people...Epson has $500 USD rebate until March so a 4990 is $1995 and 4880 is $1099.

Steve

In Thailand, they charge over $3500 for the 4900 :thumbdown: :thumbdown: :cussing:

 

[archivue]

maybe it's time to consider canon printer...

 

[Jorgen Udvang]

maybe it's time to consider canon printer...

Exactly what I'll do. Unfortunately, the ink-cost per print of a Canon 9500 is 150% more than for the Epson 4900, so in my case, the much cheaper Canon is only viable with relatively low volume. For books, and here I'm probably in a similar situation to the OP, investing in the Epson will make sense surprisingly fast, even at the price I will have to pay. I will probably buy a dye based Canon 9000 as an initial solution. Cheaper to buy as well as to run than the 9500.

 

[archivue]

i went for the 4880... i can't really justify to spend twice for a 4900...

let's print now !

 

[John-shadesofpaper.com]

If anyone wants a printer we ship world wide and can offer great prices on both printer models just shoot me an email at [email protected]

 

[dseelig]

Canon is twice the price for ink, hard to believe as when epson printers just sit they drain ink. Does the Canon drain ink while sitting? I have an hp z 3100 and it is so cheap on ink. I do have an epson desktop a 3880 and it seems to drain ink abit as well.

 

[Vtkind]

I purchased the 4900. For 2495. But I had the golden ticket plus the 500 dollars rebate. So I received 1000 dollars back. I use Jon Cone inks, continuous ink feed. So I buy volume inks. All his colors match Epsons except the green and they are working on it. Jon also helped/work with Epson too. Inkjet mall in Topsham Vermont. epson inks = .52/ml......Jon's .13/ml. I have no issues either. One bonus with the 4900 is that you don't have to switch the blacks.....

 

[kweide]

And i am still happy with my HP 9180

 

[Jack]

Even with all the warts in the printers, which aren't that many, I have to say I simply *LOVE* the color and saturation available from the latest x900 Epson inks. If I had the room, I would sell my 7900 and buy both a 4900 and a 9900. Seriously, I like the output that much.

 

[woodyspedden]

Even with all the warts in the printers, which aren't that many, I have to say I simply *LOVE* the color and saturation available from the latest x900 Epson inks. If I had the room, I would sell my 7900 and buy both a 4900 and a 9900. Seriously, I like the output that much.

Darn it Jack.

Every time you post something like this the moths start flying out of my wallet. I am still using my 3800 and 7800 and, for the most part, find I can get very very good results. No doubt the addition of vivid magenta was an improvement but not so much as to make me fork over another $4k to replace both printers. Now, with the addition of both green and orange inks I would expect the overall gamut to be much improved.

So my issue is whether to replace both printers immediately or to get a new 4900 and work with that until I am convinced about the differences and their worth to me. If it is really great, (oh oh!) plunk down the big bucks for a 7900 (my little studio does not allow for 44" printers).

Any details you can share about how you find the differences would be welcome my friend.

Woody