Digital BW, The Print

> - I'd like a relatively recent printer as I expect to move to Vista
> soon (having longterm problems with XP, I feel like anything would be
> better).  

I've found XP 100% stable in a half dozen PCs since it first came out,
and I use lots of heavy duty applications, having nothing more than
seat-of-pants learning (I don't even read documentation). If you're
having trouble with XP it's not likely due to the OS. I think a lot of
folks run into trouble with mailorder-house and "custom-built" PCs. I
like both Compaq and Sony because they don't skimp on details. 

XP does suffer when one installs extra firewalls (two typically
conflict). My DSL provides one level of protection already...no virus
problems since 1999 (frequent unnoticed background scans by EZ
Antivirus). If you're running anything from Symantec or playing with
your registries, that may explain your problems.

XP wants 1G to work reasonably well with CS2, and Vista's going to
demand a lot more. As well, you need an additional hard drive as
you'll jam up C immediately if you also browse and use Word. I use two
external 120Gs, one being a backup and more dedicated to business files. 

CIS systems may or may not economize..if you're a very heavy user,
maybe. MIS offers refillable carts, which I may switch to...though
there are reports of fussiness and unreliability. I've noticed less
UT7 clogging when I leave the printer on than when I turn it off
between sessions.

Minolta was mentioned. The 5400 was a great, slow, reasonably reliable
, honest  machine: the Nikon-fast 5400II was fragile, junk inside, and
a reason  Minolta deserved to be run out of the business. I owned two,
replacing them with a much-superior Nikon V (same speed, same image
quality, built like a truck, better film flatness than either Minolta
model). For scanning B&W negs I recommend Vuescan...Nikonscan's also
good (as was Minolta's app) but silver B&W film requires an extra step
in post processing that's not necessary with Vuescan. With Nikon and
film strips you'll want the hard-to-find optional film strip carrier,
which is a pain to use but can be a big help with B&W silver
film...it's the way to assure flat end-of-strip frames.