I can understand the frustraiton abot the printers,
I use to work in Field Service for HP. and one of My specialties is Printer hardware.
I would think the main reason the printer fails when a single color is out is due to the model being made for graphics. it is very common for Color printers to be completly paperweights if one color is out. this was also common with HP color lazors 45xx and 85xx series.
as for the print quality you would be surprised how settings affect your quality. as well as file formats and software used to print through. for instance high end qraphic programs have settings to calibrate your image file to be rpg or mcy. also postscript versions somtimes play large issues in image quality it all depends on who is doing the RIPing of the image to print. Is it the printer or is it your software. either way, I HATE PLAYING WITH GRAPHICS and I feel your pain. I am actually having severe quality issues with both my Cell Phone and Home Phone. yes it is not a printer, however it is an electronic device that one expects to work properly with decent quality and it is frustrating when they do not do what need to do.
Good luck on your next printer purchase, remember some manufacturers as well as stores have unconditional return policies in the first 90 days of the purchase allowing you to exchange for either a different model or money back.
MOnty
