Need printer recommendations

[CP5670]

I'm looking for a laser printer (B&W is fine) with an integrated scanner/copier. It should have a reasonably fast printing speed and use fairly cheap and long lasting toner cartridges. Something a little compact would be good, although I want a flatbed type scanner. Any suggestions?

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[Zepper]

First, threads of this type of topic belong in the "Peripherals" section.

I'd generally recommend separates rather than a multi-function. If you are short on space, make yourself a little rack or put a shelf on the wall and stack them one above the other. Both Epson and Canon make good, inexpensive scanners. Most will probably recommend something from Samsung or based on the Samsung print engines like Brother. I've read something about a recent Lexmark MFP, but I don't really care for Lexmark because of their ink jet side. Early on all their lasers were pretty good but now they're spotty - some being good and some fairly poor.

.bh.

 

[EvanAdams]

We have a basic b/w brother laser mfp and it is great. Big paper try, faxes well, and even will scan to OSX with no problems when pluged in.

My #1 problem is that it only has one paper tray. We could use multiple trays for letterhead and envelopes and basic stock paper.

My #1 like, auto paper feeder. I will never be without one ever again. Saves so much time.

 

[CP5670]

First, threads of this type of topic belong in the "Peripherals" section.

I'd generally recommend separates rather than a multi-function. If you are short on space, make yourself a little rack or put a shelf on the wall and stack them one above the other. Both Epson and Canon make good, inexpensive scanners. Most will probably recommend something from Samsung or based on the Samsung print engines like Brother. I've read something about a recent Lexmark MFP, but I don't really care for Lexmark because of their ink jet side. Early on all their lasers were pretty good but now they're spotty - some being good and some fairly poor.

.bh.

Well, I won't be using the scanner very often (maybe like 8 times per year at the most), but it's useful to have it available. Is it still more cost effective to get them separately?

I'll take a look at the Samsung and Brother offerings. What kind of track record do they have in terms of long term driver support? I have an HP Laserjet 3300mfp from 2002 at my parents' home and while the printer itself is okay (although bulky), the driver support sucks. It prints fine but I can't get the scanning functionality to work at all on XP, and many others with it also report problems with the drivers.

We have a basic b/w brother laser mfp and it is great. Big paper try, faxes well, and even will scan to OSX with no problems when pluged in.

My #1 problem is that it only has one paper tray. We could use multiple trays for letterhead and envelopes and basic stock paper.

My #1 like, auto paper feeder. I will never be without one ever again. Saves so much time.

My past experience with Brother wasn't very good (had one of their ink MFPs at one point; it ran through ink cartridges very quickly and broke down altogether after a year), although that was several years ago and I'm willing to give them another shot.

I guess one paper tray is fine with me. I basically just need it to print standard 8.5x11" documents.

 

[Zepper]

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend the Brother inkjet MFPs as their output quality isn't up to others (color/photo) and they have had a failure problem - not sure if the latest generation is any better. Their laser units have been generally OK. Most of the printer companies have made their decisions on what will and what won't be updated with Vista drivers. Should be a statement in their support pages. I don't use or recommend Vista or XP64, but I do like to see Linux drivers. Generally the laser units get better muti-platform support than the i-j units do. For future OSes, you won't really know until they get here...

If you want color output ability, I'd go with a Canon or HP. I also like the potential economy of separate ink tanks for each color. The better Canon models and a few HPs have them.

.bh.

 

[CP5670]

I don't have Vista either and probably won't get it until SP1 is out, but I will be using the printer for at least a few years and don't want something that I have to give up later on just because of bad drivers (which is sort of the situation with that HP 3300).

I only print B&W text pages for the most part, so I think it makes sense to get a laser. I have access to a separate HP inkjet for color printing, although I rarely need to use it.

 

[EvanAdams]

Yea the OP was on laser so I was refering to Brother Laser.

I'm so sorry to hear you have been dealing with an HP 3300. I have a 3310 and it was the worst per dolar tech purchace I have made in years. What a piece of garbage.. the drivers are so bloaty and the damn thing even gives be a blue screen of death once and a while. It has put me off of HP printers big time.