Let me start by saying this printer is a MONSTER – in both size and capability. As someone who's used everything from basic home printers to commercial-grade machines, the ET-16650 feels like stepping into a luxury car after riding bicycles. The print quality? Absolutely stunning. I recently printed some marketing materials on glossy paper, and the colors popped with such vibrancy that my clients thought they were professionally printed.
The supertank ink system is game-changing. After years of rage-inducing cartridge replacements, being able to just pour ink feels revolutionary. I've printed hundreds of pages (including many tabloid-sized engineering drawings), and the ink levels have barely budged. That said – fair warning – the initial setup for the ink system had me sweating bullets. Those tiny ink bottles feel precarious, but Epson's spill-proof design actually works.
Now for the not-so-great parts: This thing is HUGE. Like 'rearrange your office' huge. The motorized output tray is cool until it unexpectedly extends while you're walking by (yes, I may have spilled coffee once). And about those feed trays – they feel flimsier than you'd expect for a printer at this price point. I'm constantly worried I'll snap them off.
The touchscreen interface is surprisingly intuitive, though occasionally laggy. Wireless setup was painless, but like some reviewers mentioned, it does occasionally lose connection – requiring a restart that takes longer than my morning coffee break.
Print head issues seem to be this model's Achilles' heel based on multiple reports (and my own brief scare when magenta started acting up). The warranty process sounds like a nightmare based on others' experiences – I sprung for the extended coverage just in case.
For serious printing needs (especially tabloid size), this can be a fantastic investment if you've got the space and patience for its quirks. But if you're just printing occasional documents? This is serious overkill that might leave you frustrated.