• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Multifunction Printer Recommendation

Quixfire

Diamond Member
I am looking for a good Multifunction Printer with a parallel port is there such device?

If not is there a parallel port to usb connector?

I would like to continue using my print server port on my router when I upgrade my printer soon.
 
It doesnt have parallel.. and im not sure if there is any such adapter.... but i just got myself a multifunction device and i love it.. awesome print/copy/scan quality and faxes aswell. HP PSC2210
 
Just saw the print server part. You'll be hard pressed to get a consumer/soho MFP to work on a print server. Even mose so across a USB adaptor. THe drivers for those things just aren't built for network use. If you do lots of printing find a nice little laser to stick on the server and stick the inkjet on your box. To that end I would sugect the Samsung ML-1750.
 
I have an HP PSC 750 which does a great job all the way around. I think it's been replaced now but I have no complaints with the overall performance and I would think the newer ones would be at least as good. I first bought the Epson 3200 and took it back. That was without a doubt the suckiest printer I have ever had in my hands. Text was much worse than my half empty Lexmark Z45. Maybe I just got a bad one, but I wasn't going to chance getting another so I went for the HP.

I have an Ethernet LAN at home and the printers are connected to the server with USB. Never had any problems with either, but if you are planning on using one in an office environment I would go with the suggestion of picking up a more robust P\S\C combo.
 
Originally posted by: addragyn
Texun you can scan & fax through the print server?

Oh do I feel st00pid. I forgot about the scan \ copy function mentioned. I never thought of using them over the network since walking back and forth to scan or use the copy function would be an arse pain. I usually go to the server to do those tasks.

Thanks for the catch, bub!




 
HP's are good, but their ink cartridges are way too small and way too expensive. My estimate is that the black will last less than 200 pages before running out. How long will that take, a month or two if you don't print much? HP's are certainly not recommended for anybody who prints any decent volume. Lexmark's cost per page are probably even more. Maybe you're lucky and can afford it, or perhaps your costs can be written off. For us poor users, ink costs are very important, probably the most important factor in choosing a printer or mutifunction device.
 
Thanks for all the replies, I'll keep my Lexmark on the print server and get a nice multi-function to connect to my machine.
 
Lexmarks are only worth the cost of ink. They produce about the worst quality and the ink fades faster than any other I know of.

HP's are great if you want to print on normal (not inkjet) paper. I went from HP to Epson and notice the difference with "normal" or cheap papers. HP's did shift to smaller cartridges (their cartidges didn't last til the ink was gone anyway) and they're about the slowest printers you can get. HP is a good choice for someone that wants to save on paper, doesn't mind the slow speed, and likes the idea of the inkjets being on the cartidge (safer to refill as contaminants will only dammage the cartridge and not the fixed heads in the Epson printers.

The printer I have now is the Epson Stylus 960. It's capable of printing on inkjet printable cd's, however the coating on these cd's/ dvd's almost looks like a paper label. There is also some setting up involved in printing on cd's. This printer cost $313 shipped as opposed to a normal 8x10 capable photo printer you should be able to get for around $100.

I wouldn't pay more for a lexmark than what the ink that comes with it is worth. With the high price of ink, you want the best quality printout and least fading you can get. It's rarely the printer you're paying for... it's the ink nowadays.

Lately you'll see the trend is toward Canon which unfortuneatly I have no experience with, but I've read in many places that they're currently the best bang for the buck. Would have gone canon myself, but wanted a printer that could print on cd/dvd.

 
The HP V40i has a parallel port, all four functions and works as a stand-alone for faxing and copying as well.

Should be around U$100. I've seen them at Staples Canada for 150Cdn.

Some Lexmarks et al need to be connected to a PC for faxing and such.
 
Back
Top