In March of 2005 I purchased a Kodak EasyShare z740 digital camera and a Kodak EasyShare Printer Dock Plus. I put both, along with their accessories – camera case, two extra rechargeable battery packs, lens adapter, various USB/audio/video cables, packs of specialized photo paper, three ink cartridges, included 64mb memory card and camera dock (connects camera to computer; also charges camera even if the computer is not on) – up for sale. In total I paid $550; I have a buyer who is willing to pay $300.
Never, ever again will I deal with Kodak. The printer dock ceased to function about a year ago.* It takes three tries to reel a sheet of photo paper in. When it does, it spits it back out – it doesn't even print on it. It then tells me paper jam. Rinse, repeat. It does this regardless of it being hooked up to a computer or by itself, whether I'm printing photos from the camera or directly from the memory card. I've tried it on my desktop, my husband's desktop and my notebook. I've tried cleaning, upgrading the firmware. I've replaced the ink cartridge, the paper. I've cleaned out the paper rollers, removed any dust that I saw. Same problem every time.
The camera? Fantastic, for the most part. It takes great photos, but it has too much of a delay in between shots. There's nothing like wanting to capture your child's gorgeous smile or your cat's silly antics and instead being greeted with a blue screen with the word, “processing…†on it. Also, the camera itself is very bulky. My first digital camera was a Fuji FinePix 2650, and let me tell you, I miss that camera. Sure, it was only 2 megapixels (the Kodak is 5). But it was so small! I could slip it into my purse (even with the case) or in my pocket. The Kodak? Even without the case, it won't fit into my purse – it goes straight into the diaper bag, or I have to carry it.
So, once I have the $300 from selling the Kodak stuff, I'm heading straight for the store (Target? Wal-Mart? Maybe I'll just order directly from the company…) and buying myself the HP Photosmart R927 digital camera. Or I may let my husband talk me into the HP Photosmart R967 digital camera ($45 more – entails two extra megapixels, anti-shake, etc.).
I love HP. I have an HP computer, an HP notebook, two HP printers (2610 all-in-one and 475 Photo printer), and my mother has an HP computer, HP notebook, and two HP printers (3310 all-in-one and 475 Photo printer), and my grandfather has an HP computer and an HP printer (2410 all-in-one).
HP backs their shit, whether it's bought brand new from the store, from them directly or from a third party manufacturer who sells refurbished items. I've had two printers, a keyboard and a mouse replaced by them. My mother has had a CD-ROM drive, monitor (19? LCD) and mouse replaced by them. Like I said, I love HP. Their stuff may not always work perfectly either, but at least they stand by their products and will repair or replace them with no cost to the consumer! Kodak? Useless. It took forever to get a response (despite repeated phone calls, e-mails and letters), and when I finally did get one, it was basically “you're on your ownâ€. Nice one, Kodak.
Drool. Next Wednesday won't come soon enough!
*The buyer is aware of the problems with the photo printer. She seems to think she can get it to work. Well, she can have at it!
