4-in-1 Printer recommendations

[jfall]

I'm looking to get a 4-in-1 multifunction printer, copier, fax and scanner for under $200. It will be used lightly for personal use. Anyone have any recommendations?

 

[Lemon law]

If you can live with no color---look for a monochrome laser in all in one form.

If you also want color you are limited to inkjets that are all either ripoffs-- ( they will get you in ink cartridge replacement cost ) or unreliable.---nor do inkjets take well to light intermittent printing. You should print something every week or two. A color Laser might be an option but $200 won't even touch a printer alone.

But in my humble opinion---your best option might be the now discontinued Canon MP780---which is non-chipped inkjet and can take third party cartridges readily available dirt cheap----you can get the MP780 easily on ebay refurbished for about $150---or look in local office supply stores---still a few left they often get rid of dirt cheap---don't get a chipped Canon that takes the CLI-5&8 cartridges---then you can't use third party cartridges----but even a chipped Canon is better than a HP, Lexmark, or a dell.---sadly---Epson and brother inkjets--although they have their charms---lack reliability.

But I am totally confident in recommending the MP780---wish I had one---I am still limping along on my Canon MP730---which is another generation back but similar to the MP780.
And my MP 730---which I bought refurbished---has been rock solid reliable---and because I refill my own cartridges-------I print dirt cheap---even cheaper than a monochrome laser.
And although I can't recommend the addiction---the MP780 also doubles as a very good photoprinter----it prints, copies, sends and receives faxes at G3 speed, and can scan with either its own flatbed scanner---or you can use the automatic document feeder to batch things----and I forget---it can do all this under its own power without replying on an attached computer. But really shines when its hooked up to USB-2 cable to your computer.

 

[krotchy]

I just bought this printer a week ago. I am very happy with it, the photo quality is fantastic. Plus it has networking, which is a huge plus, since I can print to it from any printer on my network without requiring the computer its plugged into to be on (it plugs into your router via ethernet) or you can use it normally like a USB printer. Also the ink for it is pretty cheap, since it uses Ink wells, instead of cartridges. The heads are built into the printer, and you just replace each ink individually as needed. PC World and Toms hardware both recommended it.
http://www.pricegrabber.com/p__HP_Hewle...nter,__12217296/search=photosmart+3210


Non Networking Canon MP500 my roomate got, works excellent. Only has 4 ink colors instad of the 6 in the Photosmart. PC World top recommended choice as well as Toms Hardware. Overall an excellent printer.
http://www.pricegrabber.com/p__Canon_PI..._In_One_Inkjet_Printer,__11410971/fd=1


Cant go wrong with either, although the Canon MP780 is probably very good as well.

 

[Lemon law]

Sadly neither the 3210 or the MP500 have fax capabilities---making them 3 in one printers. And some of the cartridges in the 3210 are positively microscopic----and with the MP780---using third party compatables---you can replace its full set of five cartridges for less than $10.--or refill the lot for less than $2.50--check out the cost of a full cartridge set replacement before you buy any printer---you will likely be doing that many times over the lifespan of the printer.