Printer/Scanner/Fax - HP or Canon? Model?

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Looking for something user friendly, doesn't need to be schmancy. For use with a Dell laptop (obviously not mine ).

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I ALWAYS buy fron Epsons refurbs site, free shipping and over 60 to 70% off at times

Clearance Epson All-in-Ones - Epson Clearance Center - Epson America, Inc.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

bf, how long do the refurbs last....you mention "always buy"...does that mean you get a lot of these?

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Glitter, is the computer equipped with bluetooth - because it would be great to be able to print wireless.
You could keep the printer in an out of the way place and just print when needed. I am always taking mine out of a cabinet to use, annoying!

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Glitter, is the computer equipped with bluetooth - because it would be great to be able to print wireless.
You could keep the printer in an out of the way place and just print when needed. I am always taking mine out of a cabinet to use, annoying!

It probably does, but it will be sitting at the desk next to the computer anyway.

I have wireless printing at home, it's great when it works.

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

Here are some questions you might want to think about:

• Do you need it to work with more than one computer (networked)?
• Does it need to print in color?
• Do you want fast printing (ok, relatively fast)?
• Does it need to print photo's realistically?

The network question will more than cut your options in half. Sure you can get it if your not using it, but it does cost extra. This isn't usually a wireless question, it pertains to having an ethernet jack (looks like a big phone plug) so you can plug it in your router.

Color vs Black & White answers the 'laser' or 'dot matrix/ink jet' question. Ok, they have color laser printers now - but they're still expensive.

Fast. Usually laser printers are faster.

Photo's. Usually ink jet has better resolution/[color]/cost per page.

In any printer, you'll want to get sample prices of the ink cartridges. This is where your big expense over time will be. And if photo printing is going to happen, you'll benefit by going to Fry's/Best Buy/etc. and looking at the sample pages for the printers they sell.

As far as brands, I do like Epson as well. They're not usually cheap. Between HP and Brother, well - HP is sturdier and Brother is more user friendly. And I usually buy refurbs as well (from either Newegg.com or Geeks.com).

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

bf, how long do the refurbs last....you mention "always buy"...does that mean you get a lot of these?

The last one I bought was 3 years ago, The deal was so good I bought 2 cause it was almost cheaper than buying new ink. The 2nd one is still brand new in the box. I paid $60 for a $200 all in one.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Here are some questions you might want to think about:

• Do you need it to work with more than one computer (networked)?
• Does it need to print in color?
• Do you want fast printing (ok, relatively fast)?
• Does it need to print photo's realistically?

The network question will more than cut your options in half. Sure you can get it if your not using it, but it does cost extra. This isn't usually a wireless question, it pertains to having an ethernet jack (looks like a big phone plug) so you can plug it in your router.

Color vs Black & White answers the 'laser' or 'dot matrix/ink jet' question. Ok, they have color laser printers now - but they're still expensive.

Fast. Usually laser printers are faster.

Photo's. Usually ink jet has better resolution/[color]/cost per page.

In any printer, you'll want to get sample prices of the ink cartridges. This is where your big expense over time will be. And if photo printing is going to happen, you'll benefit by going to Fry's/Best Buy/etc. and looking at the sample pages for the printers they sell.

As far as brands, I do like Epson as well. They're not usually cheap. Between HP and Brother, well - HP is sturdier and Brother is more user friendly. And I usually buy refurbs as well (from either Newegg.com or Geeks.com).

It does not need to be network-able. Color would be nice, but not a must. Probably ought to be laser, I will check the price differential. It won't be used for photos. It's most important that it works well and is easy to use for simple scanning/printing/faxing of documents.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Bjones - I am REALLY glad you found us - because not only are you the KING of the newbies - you know other stuff, too!

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

Now I'm turning red! Thanks for the kudos - just been around long enough to have gone through it, and not so long that I've forgotten (yet)!

Glitter Brunello - Sounds like you're looking for an 'all-in-one' machine. Here's what Newegg.com has in the $100-$200 price range.

I'd read a few descriptions, jot down some 'must haves/nice-to-haves' and then run off to Best Buy/Fry's to pick the sales guys brains. And I wouldn't necessarily buy from them - I'd just ask my questions and look at sample printouts. Don't forget to check replacement toner prices. And drums. Those are the high costs with laser printers.

[davhu1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close davhu1]

We bought a Cannon All-in-one MF3240 B/W laser, over a year ago for $69.00 including shipping from Neweggs (regular price ~$150). We have been happy with it. I seen them back on sale from time to time for $79.

No need for color laser. We do not print photo; I get better quality and cheaper at Costco or on-liine than buying photo paper and ink catridges.

[longtimer Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close longtimer]

I just bought an HP ink jet for $79.00 a few months ago and really like it. It's hooked up to my daughter's lap top. It prints, scans and copies and is pretty easy to use (though set up took a little while because you have to download the software onto your computer). The ink cartridges are a decent price and you can often get them on sale. We don't print alot of photos at home because it's still much cheaper to do that at many of the retail stores. However, the photos we print are really nice.
I went with the HP because I've had such good luck with their printers. My first HP printer was a laser printer, 4L. It's about 15 years old and still works well. I don't use it much any more because the replacement cartridges are well over $100. But it's great for professional looking documents.
Forgot to mention, this has a wireless option and touch-screen controls.

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

I have an HP Photosmart C309 3-in-one that I bought reciently. Got a good deal on it at about $130. It has scan, print and copy (no fax) but I didn't need the fax. It prints great but only up to 8 1/2 x 11. Does other functions well also.
If you look at an HP and printing photos is desired, always go for there Photosmart technology printers, the photo printing is much beter on these than their regular ink jets.
It also sits wireless on my network so don't need to go thru my desktop to print from any other PC.

[pittle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pittle]

bjones is right - check what they call the conusmables...printer cartidges, toner and ink can really add up (Ink also drys up on you if you do not use it a lot and HP has expiration dates on theirs and you cannot use a "new" one if the date has expired.) My next color/scanner/printer is going to be laser. The ink does not dry up, but the toner cartridge costs can really add up.

We use a fax program for faxes that works fairly well for documents that we generate. Classic Phone Tools is the name and is inexpensive. We either create a document and send via fax or scan something and make a PDF and then fax that. It will do broadcast faxes when you need to send a lot of faxes - say 535 to our elected officials in Washington.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

bjones is right - check what they call the conusmables...printer cartidges, toner and ink can really add up (Ink also drys up on you if you do not use it a lot and HP has expiration dates on theirs and you cannot use a "new" one if the date has expired.) My next color/scanner/printer is going to be laser. The ink does not dry up, but the toner cartridge costs can really add up.

We use a fax program for faxes that works fairly well for documents that we generate. Classic Phone Tools is the name and is inexpensive. We either create a document and send via fax or scan something and make a PDF and then fax that. It will do broadcast faxes when you need to send a lot of faxes - say 535 to our elected officials in Washington.

interesting app!

This is going to be for a home office, paid for by corporate. Which is not to say that price is not an issue, but as long as the cost of replacement cartridges is in line with the market, it should be fine. I am familiar with similar scan/.pdf/online fax software, but for this we still want a standard fax feature, as "old school" as that may be.

I will look into and pass on the specific reco's here. If anyone has others, please add them. I do think it should be laser as some docs printed for signature will be long and the user short on patience