Customer Reviews

Dell 966 All in One Color Printer Scanner Fax Copier

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Since my first purchase of the initial IBM PC in 1981 I have owned dozens of personal computers and peripherals. In all that time I have never been more dissatisfied with a product than I have been with the Dell Photo 966. When it's working properly (which is seldom) it's main purpose in life seems to be marketing Dell ink cartridges. It is essentially impossible to print anything without at least two annoying popups providing the reminder to purchase ink from Dell. However, the true issue lies in basic product quality. The thing often simply refuses to work. It displays a variety of error messages sending the user on no end of wild goose chases to clear imaginary jams and "carriage stalls". In an average day I unplug and reboot the printer an average of five or six times. Tomorrow I'm going out to buy a new printer, and you can be sure it won't be a Dell.

I bought a 966 with the wireless network adapter through Dell last November. Once I got it all setup it was a dream come true to have the printer on the network. The black and white print quality wasn't very good and it seamed a lot slower than I expected, but it was on the network! I printed a photo and after a few minutes a dull, lined, faded and wet paper fell out of the printer that looked like the photo I wanted. I thought, "Ok, it's not a photo printer. I can accept that." After all, any computer in the house can print to it. Then, after about a week, I tried to print something and the progress bar went up to 5% and stopped. I tried again and again. Then re-installed the drivers, which worked! For another week. I did it again. Same results. Then I called support. They sent a replacement. Same thing. As it turns out there are a lot of people with the same problem. The support staff don't seem to have any answers and there doesn't appear to be any resolution online. So, no more network. That's Ok, I hooked it up with a USB cable, but the thing is massive and doesn't fit on my desk, which is why I got the network adapter.
Conclusion. I'm left with a printer that doesn't print well. It copy's and scans and faxes with equal quality. Even with the network adapter it doesn't work as a network printer. All in all, this is the worst printer I have ever heard of.

Nothing but problems. I have been on the phone to Dell several times for lengthy tech support issues. Sometimes hours. Sometimes days, because the guy couldn't figure it out and I had to get another guy.

Do not waste your money on this cheap piece of s...

Due to the slick plastic bottom it does not even function well as a door stop. I am going to try boat-anchor next week.

I agree with the other reviewers, this printer has caused nothing but problems. It does not even work half the time and when it does, it drains ink like there is no tomorrow. Even with that, the picture quality is bad. Don't even think of buying this printer!

The Dell 966 with network card dosen't work! It wastes huge amounts of time, ink, paper, telephone calls, it frays nerves and makes me very angry that such rubbuish is put on the market for sale to unsuspecting customers. I bought one for my wife with a new Dell laptop. Anyone would think they would work together but no. The support system is designed to put you off, ring you back at an inconvenient time so you eventually give up unless you have nothing better to do. That's exactly what happend me. Put it back in the box for a year or so. Took it out again. Ink jet cartridges dried up. Bought new ones for 56.00 and off we go - provided you have the USB cable attached. Took it to a computer clinic - your WLAN card is defective. Eventually rang Dell - sorry out of warranty - but I reported the fault within warranty period and you rang me at work - sorry we don't make that network card any more. This is totally unlawful and they should not be allowed sell product to the public without basic back- up. I'm going to sue!

I would not recommend this printer for small business. I guess it would be o.k. for a home office with low printing needs. I use this printer in a small office setting and it drinks the ink so fast that I constantly have a "Low Ink" indicator popping up at me. There is a setting to shut off the pop ups, but as soon as either cartridge gets low, it comes right back on. So, 80% of the time I have a pop up either on my computer or on the printer itself saying "Hey, you are low on ink". And it won't shut off until you replace the cartridge. The printer has worked fine but with the high cost of ink and the annoying pop ups, I would not buy this printer again and I would think twice before buying any Dell printer because of their low capacity/high ink prices.

This is a LOW END all-in-one printer. As long as its used as such (under 100 sheets a day), you should have an issue with it. If you are needed to use a printer more ofter, then you should be looking at a higher end model anyways!!

I have been using the device for over 4 years now. I have had the occasional paper jam (it doesn't like paper that has creases or folds, guaranteed jam).. Keep the device clean, use straight clean paper, dell cartridges (there ALOT cheaper now then they used to be). I get 400+ b&w sheets on draft (I cant tell the difference with the 966 on draft and my old canon mp190 on high).. I rarely print color. In the past 4 years, Ive only replaced the color cartridge once. Same color print quality from day 1.

For the price range this printer is in, it is excellent. If you need a high volume printer, look for a high volume printer (which you will not find in this price range).....

It does everything, Its the perfect size for business enviroment or even just a home office. Im glad I got it

I've only had this printer, 968 Dell a little over a week and it is GREAT! and prints like a DREAM. I totally disagree with the others!THE VERY BEST!!!

Printer works OK but the wireless network card is useless on this. I bought this printer just for the wireless ability and it does not work.