Rating: 
Summary: Great Printer Terrible Software
Review: It's slow, uses TONS of ink, and makes absolutely stunning prints--if you can figure out how to deal with the annoying driver settings.I wasted a lot of paper and ink trying various settings before I came up with something that works. And you have to do the same testing and tweaking with each different paper you want to use. I've gotten great results with Ilford Galerie Classic Gloss. The big problem with this printer is that the print heads are part of the machine--i.e. they don't get replaced when you replace an ink cartridge, as with HP printers. Don't expect your print heads to last more than about two years with moderate use. And replacing them costs almost as much as a new printer. But for the price, it's worth it.
Rating: 
Summary: Home Designer's Dream Machine
Review: My wife runs a graphic design shop from our home, and has needed a new proofing printer for some time. I also wanted a printer that could handle large format photos that have been digitally enhanced. Our last Textronix printer cost us more than $10k, so we initially overlooked this printer since it's price was so low. However, when we reviewed all of the features, we decided that the price of this printer was a drop in the bucket if it could work for even simple proofs. We have been stunned and amazed at how incredible and color accurate the prints have turned out.
We use both Mac OS 9.x, and Win Me with this printer. To use design (postscript) apps like Quark, Illustrator, PageMaker, etc. we purchased the Epson Stylus Rip (since printer is raster-only). Prints are speedy and gorgeous at 720dpi, and the (much) slower 1440 are only marginally better looking. We purchased a wide spectrum of media (that ended up costing more than the printer). Duponts SuperB commercial paper is the most expensive, but is choice for selling to clients as proofs. We found it's important to choose paper settings provided by Epson to get the best quality prints.
Setup was relatively easy, and software works just fine. We love this printer.
Rating:
Summary: Good & Bad
Review: No reliability issues yet. I've had this printer about a year. I wanted prints that last a awhile longer, prints that look great, and <gosh> I didn't want a whole lot of trouble or expense to accomplish this. PLUS
+++ Produces the best looking prints when its working properly & all the set up is in order. Bad
--- Gulps ink.
--- It is not unusual for me to go 30 days without needing to print photos. As a result I have to clean prints heads, align, etc. (uses ink and paper for the tweaking, ie more waste) before using. I guess the ink clogs in the nozzles. On one occasion I used half the ink ($$) in the color cartridges before the printer was ready to produce decent quality prints. I can't recommend this printer for anyone unless they do a lot photo printing on a regular basis.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best
Review: The Epson 1280 is one of the best inkjet printers on the market today. My only complaint is it is not IEEE1394 Firewire ready. Colors are very true and color management is easy.
Rating:
Summary: Super Great Printer
Review: The printer is easy to calibrate (color match) with other devices. It has easy-to-use utility controls. The software also has color adjustments to further enhance picture printing quality. I have used this printer the past year for printing photos for show and some of the pictures printed by the 1280 won ribbons. It does print beautifull photos. The printer quality has been outstanding, have had no break-downs thus far.
Rating: 
Summary: Stay away from the Epson 1280
Review: We bought a brand new Epson 1280. After printing fewer than 100 pages it is now useless. Doesn't matter how many times we "clean" the heads--the cartridges just empty themselves before the printout is ever decent again.
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