Picking Out The Right Photo Printer
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It can be a bit overwhelming with all the choices out there. PC Mag came up with a few questions to help you narrow down your choice.
1. Do you need more than just a printer?
One of the things to consider is what exactly you'll be using the printer mainly for. Do you want one that will print out quality photos? Some printers offer basic editing functions while others have an expansive menu. Others have a large memory which allows you to store the photos and take the printer with you. Say when you're visiting relatives and want to show them the pictures and print them out their own copies.
2. Size matters
A second thing to consider is the size of the printer. Take into account again what you want the printer for, how much room you have for it, if you want to travel around with it.
3. Connection
How will you print? Using Bluetooth, USB connection, memory cards are all methods that different photo printers utilize.
4. How much do you print?
The usual rule for printers is to find out the printer's monthly duty cycle (the maximum you can print per month) and its recommended duty cycle, and make sure the recommended duty cycle is more than you plan to print. Unfortunately, this is almost impossible with dedicated photo printers.
PC Mag recommends that if you print enough where the duty cycle is a concern, you should opt for printers professional photographers would use.
5. How much $$ will you be shelling out?
What is the cost of the item vs the total cost of ownership? Sort of like if you buy expensive shoes, how much wear will you get out of them? Does it make up for the price you paid?
Most manufacturers sell print packs with enough ink and paper for a given number of photos. To get the cost per photo, simply divide the cost of the print pack by the number of photos it'll print. To get the total cost of ownership, multiply the cost per photo by the number of photos you expect to print over the printer's lifetime, and then add the printer's initial cost. This total is the best basis for comparing prices.
These tips and more, including PC Magazine's recommendations for printers can be found on their site.
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Well I personally love printing out my pictures. I can do all kinds of fun things with them, and even print extras for the cheerleaders friends, picture frames, art projects etc. Plus I don't have to waste my time cropping at the store, taking care of red eye etc. I can do it all in my jammies at home while gorging myself. 
Lots of great tips here MIW, thanks bunches as, I am considering soon purchasing a new printer. These will help!
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I have a photo printer that has all the bells and whistles but I'll tell ya what I would much rather send the pics to Walmart or one of the online services then sit and print them out. I dunno something about the difference between doing them at home and doing them on a huge professional printer makes the difference. Plus never fails when I do them at home after a few print I end up with those stupid lines. Buy the time I do it at home I think I have spent more money for the ink and the paper that I could have gotten nicer prints cheaper. I love walmarts online ordering of them. I'll order pics and pic them up on my way to work - easy breezy!