Which Printer Should I get?

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acegazda

Platinum Member
May 14, 2006
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I'm in need of a new printer as my lexmark all in one has crapped out. I would like one that is of sturdy build quality, has low printing costs and is an all in one. Also, as stated in the summary, I need networking to connect both my pc's. If someone could explain how to incorperate a printer into a network, that would be appreciated. As for budget, I don't really want to spend more than $200, but will If I have to. Probably $250 max. Any and all suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

EDIT: Not a wireless network, something with an ethernet port I guess
 
MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
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I just bought this Brother AIO from Frys.

I haven't received it yet. It has an Ethernet port and is fully networkable which is almost unheard of at this price point.

I'm sure it won't win any photo print quality competitions, but I was just looking for a basic AIO; the network capability was a really nice bonus.

Wireless? I'm sure there are wireless printers out there, but you won't be finding them in the $250 price bracket.

You'll need to install the printer locally to one of the PCs and share it out. The other PCs in your network will connect to the printer thru the PC the printer is installed on.
 
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acegazda

Platinum Member
May 14, 2006
2,689
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Yeah, the wireless does seem to be a little pricey. Thanks.

EDIT: I'm really concerned with the amount of ink it uses. I know some printers are far superior to others in this catagory. How does the brother fare, how to the hp's and canon's?
 
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robmurphy

Senior member
Feb 16, 2007
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If the printer/AIO does not have an ethernet connection you can still use it from the other PCs on your network. If you setup the printer as a shared resource, then other PCs in the same workgroup can print to it. Its quick and easy to do this on XP Home/Pro.


Do go and have a look at a few printers/AIO. I looked at one of the brother AIO machine a few years ago and I would not describe it as sturdy.

Check a few reviews as well if you will be printing much. If the machine has a black cartridge, and a single colour cartridge then the chances are that the running costs will be high too. Bear in mind that most new machines come with "trial" cartridges, and often a full set of new cartridges cost as much as a new printer.

You can usualy find the information about the cartridges on the website selling the unit, or the maker's web site.

Rob Murphy.

 
bigsnyder

bigsnyder

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2004
1,568
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Check these out:
HP Deskjet 6940
HP Deskjet 6980

Both of these have good cost per page. If you find a good deal the HP K550dtn is an excellent choice. The K550 when used with
large capacity cartridges have excellent cost per page. If you don't care about color the Brother HL-5250DN would be in your
budget if on sale.
 
MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Since I haven't received my Brother AIO yet (I'm more of an Epson man...) I can't comment on it's sturdiness, cost per page or whatever.

When it comes to INK REFILLS, ALL the manufacturer's rip us off, big time. That's where they make the money.

When I bought my Brother from Fry's I also bought all four replacement cartridges too. At $22 for the black and $12/ea for the colors it wasn't bad. Epsons are about the same.

Anyway, the printer I linked to has a $10 rebate, after which it's cost is $80. Not bad, IMO.
 
corkyg

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
240
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Originally posted by: bigsnyder
Check these out: HP Deskjet 6940; HP Deskjet 6980:
Both of these have good cost per page.
Click to expand...

I have the 6980, and it is a solid workhorse. Has both Wireless and Ethernet connection - support by Vista as well as XP. It was on sale at Office Depot for $139. I didn't hesitate.

 
A

Ausm

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,213
14
81
Originally posted by: MichaelD
I just bought this Brother AIO from Frys.

I haven't received it yet. It has an Ethernet port and is fully networkable which is almost unheard of at this price point.

I'm sure it won't win any photo print quality competitions, but I was just looking for a basic AIO; the network capability was a really nice bonus.

Wireless? I'm sure there are wireless printers out there, but you won't be finding them in the $250 price bracket.

You'll need to install the printer locally to one of the PCs and share it out. The other PCs in your network will connect to the printer thru the PC the printer is installed on.
Click to expand...

Damn that's cheap for a networkable printer!


Ausm
 
bruceb

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
106
HP7310 is a good all in one with No Wireless

HP7410 is a good all in one with Wireless

Both have Networking capabilities built in.
The HP7410 comes with a Duplexer and a second paper tray ...
The HP7310 does not have the second paper tray. Both of these have been discontinued by HP in favor of the
newer L series, which use seperate ink tanks for colors ... I just got an HP7410 in March for $222
after rebates at Office Depot ... so some careful shopping can result in substantial savings.
 
MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Originally posted by: Ausm
Originally posted by: MichaelD
I just bought this Brother AIO from Frys.

I haven't received it yet. It has an Ethernet port and is fully networkable which is almost unheard of at this price point.

I'm sure it won't win any photo print quality competitions, but I was just looking for a basic AIO; the network capability was a really nice bonus.

Wireless? I'm sure there are wireless printers out there, but you won't be finding them in the $250 price bracket.

You'll need to install the printer locally to one of the PCs and share it out. The other PCs in your network will connect to the printer thru the PC the printer is installed on.
Click to expand...

Damn that's cheap for a networkable printer!


Ausm
Click to expand...

Yep, it sure is. I'm hoping that it doesn't explode the first time I power it up. ;) I mean...it's roughly $100 cheaper than any other networked printer...if it "scans and prints" i'll be very happy. I even bought extra cartridges so i don't experience the dreaded "they don't make it anymore" syndrome and have to pay out the yingyang for ink. I've had umpteen inkjets over the years. Unless you print 10's of pages everyday, eventually the heads clog. Doesn't matter if you run the head cleaning utility or whatever...they're all built to die.

My next "major printer purchase" will be a laser, no doubt.

 
MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Originally posted by: acegazda
^^ Staples has the 7310 for $180 AR, so that's looking good ATM.
Thanks for all the responses. If I were to set up the printer on a wired network, all I would need is an ethernet cable plugged into one of the LAN ports on the router and plug that into the printer?
Click to expand...

Yes and no.

Yes; you plug the printer into your switch. Set the printer up for DHCP and it'll grab an IP address from the switch/router.

No; that's not all you need to do. You need to load the DRIVERS for the printer on every PC that will use it. Just b/c a PC can SEE a device doesn't mean it can TALK TO IT. That's what drivers do. :)

But yeah...just plug it into the router...load drivers...that's it. :)
 
A

acegazda

Platinum Member
May 14, 2006
2,689
1
0
but the drivers will either come with the printer or can be downloaded off the website right?
 
bruceb

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
106
Office Depot has the HP7410 for $249 with coupons / rebate
and that is a Wireless or Wired Network type printer. I just
installed one which I got in early March for $222 tax included.

As to how to set up the printer for a wired or wireless network see below:

This is not as hard as you think it is. If you have printer with a Network Card and no Wireless
support built in, just connect it to a Port on the Router .. Router will assign it an IP and when
you install the Printer Software on each computer, read the steps carefully and the software
will locate the printer for you.

If you want to use a printer with a Wireless card built in then it is a bit more complex as
you must put the MAC Address of the Printer into the Router. On the router you also need to
assign a WPA/WEP Key for the printer. And on the Printer, you need to enter your Wireless Network SSID and WPA/WEP key

On each computer that will access the Wireless Printer, you need to put in the SSID of your network in the
Workgroup of the computer. Then install the software for the printer as above. I just did this for my HP7410
which is wireless thru a router and it works fine. Took less than 1/2 hr to set it all up
 
Jaxidian

Jaxidian

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 2001
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0
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FWIW, I generally like Brother's ink costs and usage. Of course that's a pretty bold statement like "Ford is better than Chevy" and that's not how I mean it, just that I've had good results in the past with the 2 Brothers that I've had. :)
 
E

EvanAdams

Senior member
Nov 7, 2003
844
0
0
I have an HP3310 and I HATE IT. Never thought a printer could get blue screen of death but this one does!
 
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