[Photoshop-Haven] Printer Recommendations?

I'm hoping I can get some help with deciding on a new printer. Right now I am pretty happy with the Canon iP4300 that I use. It's pretty reliable, if I print photos it's on Kodak paper (semi gloss works really well), and it does a good job. However, I keep thinking about getting a wide-format printer, where I could print 11 x 14 or possibly larger.

And I am confused and going crazy! I have had recommendations for the new Canon 9500, for the previous version, the 9000. I've also had several Epsons recommended. But in both cases, I see some extremely bad reviews (setup and reconfiguration problems for the Canon as well as dull prints and little help from Canon's tech held desk people). Wasted ink with the Epsons—incorrect messages demanding running the cleaning utilities, clogged print heads, etc. etc. (Apparently the Epson inks will clog if you aren't using the printer pretty constantly, at least that's what it sounds like.)

So here's my dilemma. I want to spend around $500 to $750 (but could go a little higher if I get a couple of glowing reviews.) I will print on various papers, in fact a capability to print on "art papers" would be nice. I will be printing a variety of images, some of them essentially straight photos (with some light editing to enhance the image) as well as massively edited and manipulated images, including my own original art done in Photoshop and Illustrator. I want to be able to print at least to 11 X 14 and not have to go insane resetting the printer—both in software and physically—to print different sizes. And I don't want to have to print frequently (in other words, the print cartridges should be fine sitting unused for a week or two) to avoid clogged cartridges or print heads.

And the printer has to talk nicely with Macs! (OS 10.4.11 Tiger right now, probably Leopard or Snow Leopard later this year, if I finally upgrade.)

So have I asked for the impossible? I have, over the years, used Epson, HP, and Canon, my last two (including my current iP4300) were Canons.

Thanks everyone!

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