Multifunction wireless printer for mac?

[TangoJuliet]

so my time capsule came yesterday and I was in the process of setting up a new wireless network with WPA encryption only to find out my wireless HP 5850 doesn't support WPA. I would like to get a new printer that would work on macs/pcs that is wireless and supports WPA. I would like to get a multifunction printer that scans/copies/prints so that I can consolidate some of my hardware.

Thanks!!

 

[bearxor]

I HIGHLY recommend the HP Photosmart C7280.

I have one and it does indeed do WPA2. It's a fax, scanner and copier all in one.

The thing I love about this printer is the HP 02 ink system. On the black cartridge I get a little over 700 pages per black cartridge before having to change it out. At 20 bucks a cartridge, that's a pretty good deal. They also have a pack that contains all six colors + 150 sheets of photo paper for $36. There is not as much ink in this pack though, it is formulated for 150 photos.

It's a tad on the expensive side. $300 retail. You can usually find it on sale somewhere for 260-270. If you have a Costco/Sam's membership, the Photosmart C7250 is the exact same printer, just renamed so that stores won't have to pricematch to a warehouse club (like they do anyways), for $250. If you know an employee at a Sams, I know they get the C7250 for $220.

You might also try Office Depot. Sometimes they carry refurbished HP printers. My current printer isn't a C7280, but a C6180. The only difference between the C7280/50 and the C6180 is a duplexer (optional on the 6180, included in the 7280/50). I got the 6180 refurbished for myself for $200 and the 7250 for my inlaws for $220 from a Sam's employee.

If you don't need wireless, the Photosmart C6280 is the same thing - wireless, duplexer and fax. The C6280 has ethernet and sells for about $160 usually. A lot of people think that if they have a computer on wireless, like a laptop, that they HAVE to buy a wireless printer. Working at BB this fall that was the number one misconception I ran in to. If you have your printer next to your router there's absolutely no need for a wireless printer. The wireless is only needed if you position your printer away from your router, like in another room or something.

Disclaimer: I worked over the fall and christmas as a HP Retail Rep going in to stores like CC and BB and helping them pawn HP Printers/Computers... Fell in love with that printer during training meetings.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: bearxor
I HIGHLY recommend the HP Photosmart C7280.

I have one and it does indeed do WPA2. It's a fax, scanner and copier all in one.

The thing I love about this printer is the HP 02 ink system. On the black cartridge I get a little over 700 pages per black cartridge before having to change it out. At 20 bucks a cartridge, that's a pretty good deal. They also have a pack that contains all six colors + 150 sheets of photo paper for $36. There is not as much ink in this pack though, it is formulated for 150 photos.

It's a tad on the expensive side. $300 retail. You can usually find it on sale somewhere for 260-270. If you have a Costco/Sam's membership, the Photosmart C7250 is the exact same printer, just renamed so that stores won't have to pricematch to a warehouse club (like they do anyways), for $250. If you know an employee at a Sams, I know they get the C7250 for $220.

You might also try Office Depot. Sometimes they carry refurbished HP printers. My current printer isn't a C7280, but a C6180. The only difference between the C7280/50 and the C6180 is a duplexer (optional on the 6180, included in the 7280/50). I got the 6180 refurbished for myself for $200 and the 7250 for my inlaws for $220 from a Sam's employee.

If you don't need wireless, the Photosmart C6280 is the same thing - wireless, duplexer and fax. The C6280 has ethernet and sells for about $160 usually. A lot of people think that if they have a computer on wireless, like a laptop, that they HAVE to buy a wireless printer. Working at BB this fall that was the number one misconception I ran in to. If you have your printer next to your router there's absolutely no need for a wireless printer. The wireless is only needed if you position your printer away from your router, like in another room or something.

Disclaimer: I worked over the fall and christmas as a HP Retail Rep going in to stores like CC and BB and helping them pawn HP Printers/Computers... Fell in love with that printer during training meetings.

Thanks so much that's exactly what I'm looking for. I do have a costco membership and office max is having a 30% off sale on all HP products so I'll see if they are selling them.

Just a quick question does it have to be connected to a computer for the faxing/copying functions or can it all be done wirelessly?

 

[TangoJuliet]

Do you have any opinions about the HP Photosmart C4385 All-in-One?

I'm looking at the size of the 7280 and it just seems massive. I really dont need a fax or duplexer and the 4385 seems to fit the bill but I have no idea if it supports WPA.

 

[bearxor]

The 4385 is only about 5" shorter width-wise than the 72x0.

I can't particularly recommend the 4385. It's a decent little 3-in-1 printer with wireless. I haven't really used it so I don't know if it does WPA. You can download the manual from HP's site and check it out and see. The 4385 also comes with a USB cable. The 7250 does as well (but not the 7280).

If you move to the 4385, you lose the big benefit of the C72x0, which is the 02 ink system. At that point, I can't really recommend the HP printer over an equivalent Epson, Canon or Lexmark.

But, wether on PC or Mac, software is included in the HP networked printers that will allow you to scan a sheet in. You can also do it via the built-in web server (just type the ip address in a web browser) and you can then save the scanned image from your web browser. I haven't messed with the fax (don't have a phone line) and I don't use a printer like this for copying.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: bearxor
The 4385 is only about 5" shorter width-wise than the 72x0.

I can't particularly recommend the 4385. It's a decent little 3-in-1 printer with wireless. I haven't really used it so I don't know if it does WPA. You can download the manual from HP's site and check it out and see. The 4385 also comes with a USB cable. The 7250 does as well (but not the 7280).

If you move to the 4385, you lose the big benefit of the C72x0, which is the 02 ink system. At that point, I can't really recommend the HP printer over an equivalent Epson, Canon or Lexmark.

But, wether on PC or Mac, software is included in the HP networked printers that will allow you to scan a sheet in. You can also do it via the built-in web server (just type the ip address in a web browser) and you can then save the scanned image from your web browser. I haven't messed with the fax (don't have a phone line) and I don't use a printer like this for copying.

I really like HP and Canon printers and have generally stuck with HP for all my printers. I've been burned in the past by Epson and Lexmark so I'd rather not go with either of those. I dont do a ton of printing just some documents here and there.

I been looking at the Canon printers and nothing really seems to meet what I'm looking for. The 4385 just seems to have everything I need and looking for. The 72x0 just seems like overkill for what I would be using it for and the 4385 is about $100 cheaper.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: bearxor
The 4385 is only about 5" shorter width-wise than the 72x0.

I can't particularly recommend the 4385. It's a decent little 3-in-1 printer with wireless. I haven't really used it so I don't know if it does WPA. You can download the manual from HP's site and check it out and see. The 4385 also comes with a USB cable. The 7250 does as well (but not the 7280).

If you move to the 4385, you lose the big benefit of the C72x0, which is the 02 ink system. At that point, I can't really recommend the HP printer over an equivalent Epson, Canon or Lexmark.

But, wether on PC or Mac, software is included in the HP networked printers that will allow you to scan a sheet in. You can also do it via the built-in web server (just type the ip address in a web browser) and you can then save the scanned image from your web browser. I haven't messed with the fax (don't have a phone line) and I don't use a printer like this for copying.

I went to Staples today to check out the 4385 and I have to say it looked a little flimsy and kinda junky. They didnt have any in stock any ways. They did however have the 7280 and it looked a lot better then the 4385. I went ahead and got the 7280 as it wasnt much bigger then the 4385 and it looked a lot nicer. It does have a lot of features that I probably wont need/use but in the future if they do come up then ill be okay.

Thanks for the recomendation and I'll let you know if I have any more questions as I am setting it up now!

 

[aphex]

I had a similar problem, needed a wireless multifunction printer (since I no longer had a primary desktop to keep it plugged into) but I wanted to figure out the cheapest way possible to get a Wireless Multifunction Laser Printer.

Having previously had a Brother DCP-7020 working superbly with both Mac's and PC's, decided I would go with the network capable version (with built in fax) - the Brother MFC-7820n. Although these sell new for ~$249, Staples has an excellent deal on them using a combo of a $50 rebate and a $30 off $150 coupon, I was able to get a refurb MFC-7820n for $119. I was impressed, the refurb looked as good as new, even came with a new toner/drum and had all the new stickers/labels/shipping tape all over the printer. If i didn't know it was a refurb ahead of time, I would have never known.

Anyway, I ended up plugging the MFC-7820n into my P-330W Zyxel wireless bridge (which I got for $10ar), and the whole setup works like a charm! As long as you have the wireless bridge set up properly, everything worked as soon as I plugged it in.

So my situation is solved, Wireless Laser All-in-one printer for a pretty good deal.