It's been years since buying a new Printer. Being "Biased" towards HP Printing equipment isn't any better!
When we setup my Wife's old(er) machine - it is a P55C MMX (circa 1997), we picked up an HP 720C Deskjet Printer, for her local print jobs.
I'll tell you, that is one Kick-Booty Printer!!! Kind of slow on the "deluxe" color print jobs, average speed for all the rest, but it is a real work Horse!
Also uses ink very efficiently, which results in long cartridge life.
Minimal paper jams and PCL errors.
Drawbacks are using the "Tri-Color" print cartridge, as opposed to stand alone CYM cartridges (Cyan, Yellow, Magenta).
Price was nice at the time, and looking back now, it was a steal for the long term dependability of the machine!
For simple color output with nice black text jobs, look for something that incorporates "REt II" type technology, or something similar.
I dealt with an HP 2000 (pro??) printer once, which has very nice overall output - but a high price tag ($400.00 in 1999!). Maybe price has come down... maybe not.
This machine has separate cartridges for the three colors, plus black - and also allows for print head replacement (print heads separate from cartridge).
Handles media from 5.5" to legal size 8½ × 14". There was a similar model that handled wide format - upto ANSI C (11"×17"), which is nice!.
If you are looking for a text work horse, consider the Laser Printers.
We have an HP 6P "Laserjet" Printer, which was purchased in 1996, and it has been working EXCELLENT since the first day!!!
Good luck!
Scott35