TechRadar Verdict
A good budget buy, but it's slow to print
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
The 1290s is a bit of an old campaigner now, and that's reflected in its price, making it an attractive option if you're strapped for cash. The combined five-colour ink tank (the black's in a separate cartridge) is a bit of an anachronism in this day and age, but it makes buying supplies and keeping spares simple. Interestingly, there's also a roll-feed system for panoramic paper formats, so stitching fans should be happy.
The print quality holds up well against all the rest, given the Epson's age and price. The tonal range's very good, but the midtones perhaps lack the ultimate punch of a couple of the others (notably the i9950). Highlights show a faint pinkish tinge; while darker greens are slightly cool and weak looking, but these are differences you'll only notice when comparing prints. The big problem for the 1290s, however, is its numbing slowness. Rod Lawton
Tech.co.uk was the former name of TechRadar.com. Its staff were at the forefront of the digital publishing revolution, and spearheaded the move to bring consumer technology journalism to its natural home – online. Many of the current TechRadar staff started life a Tech.co.uk staff writer, covering everything from the emerging smartphone market to the evolving market of personal computers. Think of it as the building blocks of the TechRadar you love today.