Don't get an epson ours goes through ink like it is going out of style. I am forever replacing ink. On the up side it has individual ink cartages. On the down side they are darn expensive

consumer reports has a section on best rated printers on their website. might be of help.

I've had good luck with the Lexmark brand. I know there are some HP's that require you to change out the color ink cartridges whenever you run out of black, even though there may be colored ink left.

PS. The Lexmark's have a nice, flat top for your co-worker.

Go with Lexmark - Mary Beth is right about the HP. We have to change our color ink whenever the black is empty - obnoxious AND a waste of money.

Our HP Photosmart all-in-one is simple to use and uses a reasonable amount of ink. Plus, I like that it is white and light gray so it blends into a neutral colored room. Good luck!

I have a Lexmark Wi-Fi all in one that I picked up from Wal-mart. It was quite in-expensive and you can print from anywhere in the house if you have wireless set up. Here's a link:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10250411

We have a Canon Pixma MP620. I like it so far, but I don't print all that much.

I do tons of printing (home office) and love our HP Officejet J5750. Even on the "fast draft" print setting, the quality's good (and it saves a lot of ink)

canon mp 600. simple, easy to use, with a satisfying spinny thing to select feature. buttons hidden by fold down panel. copy/scan/print.

We use a HP Photosmart CS5180 All-in-One. I've never had to change out any of the color cartridges once the black has run out...but this is the only HP model we've purchased.
Also, WalMart sells a combo pack of all the ink refills with 50 4x6s for something like $30.

I concur with Yankee in England - avoid Epson at all costs! I love my Canon printer but I don't have a specific suggestion for a copier/printer. Get something with individual ink cartridges.

I. Hate. My. Printer.

HP office jet J5780

Someone mentioned they love theirs, but I have one and my Mom has one and neither of them work properly.

We have a Canon MP500 and it works really well (& has individual ink cartridges).

I'm a big fan of the HP Photosmart All-in-one series. We have three of them for various reasons and they all work great. Print quality = good. Print speed = good. Scanning = good + easy. Copying = good. Ink usage (in my experience) = very conservative.

I'm not a fan at all of any Epson printers. I've had two over the years. Both supposed to be FANTASTIC, LIFE-CHANGING printers. Neither one printed what it was supposed to, when it was supposed to, without lots of printing and re-printing and noodling around with settings and frustrated throwing of things. Plus, super fast ink usage. Plus, if you don't print frequently, heads need cleaning constantly (which uses ink).

There's my $0.02.

I second the Lexmark wifi! I have one and it is amazing. The wifi is great, no messing with cords and you can put it wherever you want. And Lexmark is great-- I once bought I refurbished printer from them that stopped feeding paper and they sent me a totally new one super quick with few questions asked! They also are great on recycling-- ink and old printer stuff.

I have this one-- the Lexmark x4550 http://www.scrapbookingalley.com/product/EP14137008.htm?utm_medium=productsearch&utm_source=google

The Canon Pixma MX850 (print/scan/copy and fax too - though I don't have the fax set up) is BRILLIANT. Easy to set up, great quality, terrific reviews (from the "pros" and users alike). I got it for like $200 from bestbuy.com. They are often sold out - supposedly because they are so fabulous. I can't say enough good things about it. Had an HP before - not nearly as good. Have had this one about five months and just love it.

I would not recommend the HP Photosmart 2575 All-in-One. I like the way it prints, and it doesn't seem to be too bad on ink, but there's a problem with the paper feeding mechanism that causes it not to pick up the paper and then complain that the paper tray is empty, forcing you to sit there and shove each piece of paper into it individually.

I love the Canon multi-function machines. Once, I strayed and bought an Epson. I returned it and bought another Canon.

If you're going to print a lot of color, I suggest getting one with separate tanks for each color.

There are two cool options that I'd suggest if they're not too much extra. Automatic document feeders let you put in multiple sheets. This works for copying and faxing. That brings me to my second option, the fax. I didn't think I'd use it but sure enough, I've used it several time. Note that you don't need to leave it hooked up when you only have occasional use. Just plug in the phone line when you need it.