HP Designjet Plotter Replacement - What do you need/look for in specs/brand name?

[TravisTyson]

Our plotter (large format printer) is getting old and repairs are becoming costly.  I have been asked to look for options at replacing it.  So I wanted to gather some feedback from you.  What do you need your plotter to do?  What specs are most important to you?  Brand name favorites or past experience hold you to a certain manufacturer?  Thanks and have a great day! TT

[BenGrod]

I've always worked in GIS shops that use the HP Designjet plotters almost exclusively. I think HP has a fairly wide range of plotters depending upon your desired graphics quality and projected workload. I will say I inherited a Canon iPF8400 and recognized quickly that the supplies where much more costly than HP supplies (ink, print heads, etc.) HP has always treated us well for reliability and low cost supplies (relative to others).