The following report compares gadgets using the SERCount Rating (base on the result count from the search engine). Note: due to some search engine quota, not all result is available yet.
4-picoliter variable-sized ink droplets for fine detail
USB and parallel interfaces; PC and Mac compatible
Rating: 3.24/5 from 21 reviews
Excellent Quality but Helps to Know What You're Doing
Rating: 5/5
I have used the 1280 for about a year-and-a-half, mainly to print fine art photographs in large format. I use a quad black ink set from Lyson, rather than Epson inks. The machine absolutely delivers. It is consistent, reliable, and has remarkable paper handling ability.
The head does have a propensity for clogging, since it is permanently attached to the printer and does not get replaced with each cartridge. However, I have found that cleaning the storage cap (right side, parked position) from time to time (with lint-free cloth!) helps. I also print a small full-gamut image once a week, if I am not cranking out the big stuff.
Always check a company's web site for updated drivers when installing! My drivers (XP Pro/Presario) have been well-mannered. Also, if you aren't satisfied with the image, keep testing the profiles that come with the 1280. Be patient. It took me a while to get the right combination, even though Lyson provided profiles for its own ink set. But once I got it, I was off to the races.
I am about to start printing fine art color, and for that I will buy a second 1280. Call me satisfied.
It drinks ink for pictures that are worth every drop
Rating: 5/5
I have an Epson 1280 and it consistently produces prints that are as good or better than any laser fiery printer I've ever used.
As an advertising copywriter, I depend on this printer to make new copies of my work and it comes through every time.
Now, this is not the perfect printer, because it does drink ink something fierce, but the print outs are worth it, just ask any professional.
In fact, it was a photographer who first turned me on to this machine. At the time I was looking at a Lexmark or HP.
As any graphic designer will tell you HP's are word processing printers and with only rare exceptions any good at graphics and Lexmark is just to be avoided. You get what you pay for, and with Lexmark that isn't much.
Epson wrote the book on graphics and photo reproduction printing and with the 1280 they have added another proud chapter.
I just got it...
Rating: 4/5
I just set up my new Epson Stylus 1280 printer. It works great with my iMac computer. The only drawback I can see is that I was looking for a printer that used separate cartridges, and this one doesn't. Otherwise, it prints beautiful pictures, although I like the ones I printed on the Matte paper better than the ones I printed on the Glossy paper. It prints great documents, too. I think I'll keep it, for awhile.
The head does have a propensity for clogging, since it is permanently attached to the printer and does not get replaced with each cartridge. However, I have found that cleaning the storage cap (right side, parked position) from time to time (with lint-free cloth!) helps. I also print a small full-gamut image once a week, if I am not cranking out the big stuff.
Always check a company's web site for updated drivers when installing! My drivers (XP Pro/Presario) have been well-mannered. Also, if you aren't satisfied with the image, keep testing the profiles that come with the 1280. Be patient. It took me a while to get the right combination, even though Lyson provided profiles for its own ink set. But once I got it, I was off to the races.
I am about to start printing fine art color, and for that I will buy a second 1280. Call me satisfied.