Good all-around fax scanner laser?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mama Bear
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Mama Bear

We were thinking of getting a Canon MF3240 for our small home office
startup business ( we're poor so far ), which appears to be an
excellent well-reviewed all-around machine for this, at an attractive
price.

But then I found out that some upcoming work needs to be able to be
printed on legal sized paper, and with PCL6.

Does anyone know of a good all-around well-reviewed unit that's a
similar price to the MF3240 and also has a second paper tray for legal
size, and can do PCL6 too?
 
We were thinking of getting a Canon MF3240 for our small home office
startup business ( we're poor so far ), which appears to be an
excellent well-reviewed all-around machine for this, at an attractive
price.

But then I found out that some upcoming work needs to be able to be
printed on legal sized paper, and with PCL6.

Does anyone know of a good all-around well-reviewed unit that's a
similar price to the MF3240 and also has a second paper tray for legal
size, and can do PCL6 too?
Click to expand...

If you want something that is good for "all around" for a business, go
with HP, not Brother.

HP will still be with you in a year, they have better service and
support, and they provide a better ROI.
 
Mama Bear said:
We were thinking of getting a Canon MF3240 for our small home office
startup business ( we're poor so far ), which appears to be an
excellent well-reviewed all-around machine for this, at an attractive
price.

But then I found out that some upcoming work needs to be able to be
printed on legal sized paper, and with PCL6.

Does anyone know of a good all-around well-reviewed unit that's a
similar price to the MF3240 and also has a second paper tray for legal
size, and can do PCL6 too?
Click to expand...

The Canon MF3240 retails for $199. You're likely not going to find
anything in that price range with more than one real paper tray. The
low-end Canon all-in-ones I've attempted to use as printers also had
problems with not supporting standard page languages, like PCL.

You don't describe your usage, but maybe you don't need two trays. For
alternating print jobs, you can always just change what's loaded in the
tray. Most printers will also have a hand-fed slot or fold-down tray
that might be acceptable for low-volume use of alternate page sizes.

You could look at the low-end HP all-in-ones, like the LaserJet 3050.
It's $300, but does have an override slot and PCL6.
 
Leythos said:
If you want something that is good for "all around" for a business, go
with HP, not Brother.

HP will still be with you in a year, they have better service and
support, and they provide a better ROI.
Click to expand...

They USED to be great, my Laserjet 4p is still running, since 1989, but
I had a terrible experience with a Photosmart. Piece of trash. Broke
down 1 week after I took it out of the box, but it was 1 year after
purchase so I wasted $140. Turned me off to HP.
 
Warren Block said:
The Canon MF3240 retails for $199.
Click to expand...

But can't do legal size?
You're likely not going to find
anything in that price range with more than one real paper tray. The
low-end Canon all-in-ones I've attempted to use as printers also had
problems with not supporting standard page languages, like PCL.
Hmm.

You don't describe your usage, but maybe you don't need two trays.
Click to expand...

I will. I print 8.5x11 all the time for word processing, and am thinking
of getting into some legal work where I would need legal size.
For
alternating print jobs, you can always just change what's loaded in the
tray.
Click to expand...

Sure, which might be every few minutes?
Most printers will also have a hand-fed slot or fold-down tray
that might be acceptable for low-volume use of alternate page sizes.

You could look at the low-end HP all-in-ones, like the LaserJet 3050.
It's $300, but does have an override slot and PCL6.
Click to expand...


No, I really need a workhorse that has 2 trays. How about if I spend
$500?
 
Mama Bear said:
No, I really need a workhorse that has 2 trays. How about if I spend
$500?
Click to expand...

If you need a workhorse, cheap all-in-ones are the wrong direction. For
under $500, I'd suggest a used LaserJet 4050T. No fax or scanner,
though.
 
Warren Block said:
If you need a workhorse, cheap all-in-ones are the wrong direction.
For under $500, I'd suggest a used LaserJet 4050T. No fax or
scanner, though.
Click to expand...

I kinda need it all. :)
 
They USED to be great, my Laserjet 4p is still running, since 1989, but
I had a terrible experience with a Photosmart. Piece of trash. Broke
down 1 week after I took it out of the box, but it was 1 year after
purchase so I wasted $140. Turned me off to HP.
Click to expand...

LOL - if you're spending $140 for a scanner/fax/laser then you're buying
junk to start with. Every vendor sells junk, and if you're going to buy
junk you get what you pay for. Brother and Epson are the worst, and HP
seems to be the most reliable and works with the most systems and
applications.
 
Mama Bear said:
We were thinking of getting a Canon MF3240 for our small home office
startup business ( we're poor so far ), which appears to be an
excellent well-reviewed all-around machine for this, at an attractive
price.

But then I found out that some upcoming work needs to be able to be
printed on legal sized paper, and with PCL6.

Does anyone know of a good all-around well-reviewed unit that's a
similar price to the MF3240 and also has a second paper tray for legal
size, and can do PCL6 too?
Click to expand...

It's more than $500 (I doubt you will get what you need for less than $500
unless it is a poor make) but see
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...all_in_ones&subcat1=&catLevel=1#defaultAnchor
it has PCL6 and a second legal tray
Yes it's HP, my personal experience is that their monochrome lasers are hard to
beat.
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging
 
Leythos said:
LOL - if you're spending $140 for a scanner/fax/laser then you're
buying junk to start with.
Click to expand...

No sweetie, I said Photosmart. It was HP's photo printer. Cheap trash.
Every vendor sells junk, and if you're
going to buy junk you get what you pay for. Brother and Epson are the
worst, and HP seems to be the most reliable and works with the most
systems and applications.
Click to expand...

Right.
 
Tony said:
It's more than $500 (I doubt you will get what you need for less than
$500 unless it is a poor make) but see
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/product_detail.do?product_c
ode=Q6500A%23ABA&tab=detailed_specs&storeName=storefronts&landing=prin
ters&category=all_in_ones&subcat1=&catLevel=1#defaultAnchor
it has PCL6 and a second legal tray
Click to expand...

Looks like only 1 tray:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/shopping/data_sheet/q6500a.html
Yes it's HP, my personal experience is that their monochrome lasers
are hard to beat.
Click to expand...

Oh I see, I should just avoid their Photosmart, I guess, and ignore the
fact that I lost $140 for 1 week of using it.
 
Mama Bear said:
Looks like only 1 tray:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/shopping/data_sheet/q6500a.html


Oh I see, I should just avoid their Photosmart, I guess, and ignore the
fact that I lost $140 for 1 week of using it.
Click to expand...

Tthe printer fills your requirements other than price and a second cassette
which can be worked around or you can feed one sheet at a time into the manual
tray.
What you are asking for is almost impossible at the price unless you are
prepared to risk a poor manufacturer which HP absolutely is not. You have had
one bad experience with HP, millions have had good experiences. The photosmart
is not a laser, you asked about lasers!
You asked for advice and I thought it was the season of good will. Apparently
it is the season to be sarcastic to people who take the trouble to try to help.
I wish you success but not with any great enthusiasm.
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging
 
Sheesh Tony get that stick out of your ass. She said she does not like HP
why are you trying to force it down her throat?

--

Newsgroup Trolls. Read about mine here http://www.pcbutts1.com/downloads
The list grows. Leythos the stalker,David H. Lipman, Max M Wachtell III aka
What's in a Name?,Fitz,Rhonda Lea Kirk,Meat Plow, F Kwatu F, George Orwell
 
Tony said:
Tthe printer fills your requirements other than price and a second
cassette which can be worked around or you can feed one sheet at a
time into the manual tray.
Click to expand...

No, the work I'm hoping to get into, might require printing up docs with
50 pages, and 3 copies at a time.
What you are asking for is almost impossible at the price unless you
are prepared to risk a poor manufacturer which HP absolutely is not.
Click to expand...

It sure was with the Photosmart. How do I know their Laserjets haven't
gon downhill too?
You have had one bad experience with HP, millions have had good
experiences. The photosmart is not a laser, you asked about lasers!
Click to expand...

I know, but I can't disconnect the fact that everyone claims they make
good printers, but do they really?
You asked for advice and I thought it was the season of good will.
Apparently it is the season to be sarcastic to people who take the
trouble to try to help. I wish you success but not with any great
enthusiasm. Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging
Click to expand...

Merry Christmas to you too.
 
pcbutts1 said:
Sheesh Tony get that stick out of your ass. She said she does not
like HP why are you trying to force it down her throat?
Click to expand...


Post that you're looking for something on usenet and half a dozen people
will reply, telling you to buy something other than what you were looking
for, and getting mad if you don't immediately and cheerfully accept and
praise their advice.
 
Hi!
It sure was with the Photosmart. How do I know their Laserjets haven't
gon downhill too?
Click to expand...

I think it's fair to say that *every* product manufacturer has a few bad
units or models around. I know that bad experiences with products can leave
you feeling like you don't trust that manufacturer, but this kind of thing
happens to even the best companies. I have two Photosmart printers, one new
(C5180) and the other old (Photosmart 1215). They've both been reliable, at
least so far. One has over 12,000 copies on it, which I feel is a *lot* for
a household inkjet printer.

As for the question about LaserJets, I guess I'd suggest that you'd do like
you are doing right now...ask what people think and take a sample of the
responses you get. I have many LaserJets. For me they have been very good
printers. I took a LaserJet III past the million page mark (the counter
rolled over to zeroes) and it would have gone further, were it not for a
basement flood. Today I have a LaserJet 4050n, two Color LaserJet 2500n
printers, a couple of LaserJet 2300 printers, and a LaserJet 1012.
I know, but I can't disconnect the fact that everyone claims they make
good printers, but do they really?
Click to expand...

There isn't a printer maker out there that will say "we make terrible
printers, just so you know". That's why groups such as this one can be very
helpful, if you collect opinions and thoughts from them.

William
 
No, the work I'm hoping to get into, might require printing up docs with
50 pages, and 3 copies at a time.


It sure was with the Photosmart. How do I know their Laserjets haven't
gon downhill too?
Click to expand...

Even their HP1320 series printers will print 250 pages at a time, then
you can add more paper and start again.

I design large scale solutions, and having tested fax machines, copiers,
Kyocera, Brother, Cannon, Lexmark, HP, etc... I can honestly say that HP
is the clear winner when it comes to moving paper.
I know, but I can't disconnect the fact that everyone claims they make
good printers, but do they really?
Click to expand...

I own a Cannon laser printer and a Phaser 8400b and 7 HP printers, all
laser, the newest is a HP4250n, and they work great. The cannon and
phaser are color.

I don't believe in purchasing multi-function devices, they tend to be
cheap crap, from all vendors.

Buy a fax machine, even a cheap multifunction one will do in most cases.
Then buy a cheap HP Laser printer printer for printing, you'll be glad
you did.
 
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