Looking for 3 in 1 printer

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Brian340

Hi, I'm looking for a 3 in 1 printer (Print, Scan, Copy).
My requirements are.
1. It should have a page counter. This is for accounting purposes.
2. Color is fine but not necessary
3. Suitable for printing an average of 10 pages a day
4. Cheaper ink
5. USB
6. For printing 8.5 x 11 and 8.5 x 13 size papers

Any help would be greatly appreciated. thank in advance
 
Brian340 said:
Hi, I'm looking for a 3 in 1 printer (Print, Scan, Copy).
My requirements are.
1. It should have a page counter. This is for accounting purposes.
2. Color is fine but not necessary
3. Suitable for printing an average of 10 pages a day
4. Cheaper ink
5. USB
6. For printing 8.5 x 11 and 8.5 x 13 size papers

Any help would be greatly appreciated. thank in advance
Click to expand...

My advice is to look for a Canon MP780 or MP760 (the MP780 has fax
capability otherwise they are identical). They work great and the
cartridges aren't chipped which makes compatibles for them inexpensive
and plentiful. I have used an MP780 in my home office for a year and it
has been flawless. It also prints excellent photos. The document
feeder, while being a tad slow, has worked very reliably and makes batch
scanning and copying a snap. I use prefilled compatible carts that cost
me less than $2.00 each which makes my printing cost less than a laser
printer.

The newer Canon printers use chipped cartridges that are proving to be
more expensive and the compatible ink vendors haven't offered prefilled
cartridges for them yet.
 
My advice is to look for a Canon MP780 or MP760 (the MP780 has fax
capability otherwise they are identical). They work great and the
cartridges aren't chipped which makes compatibles for them inexpensive
and plentiful. I have used an MP780 in my home office for a year and it
has been flawless. It also prints excellent photos.
Click to expand...

The problem with this series is to get a page count, the only way to do
this is via service mode.

Here is an example
----
MP780 V0.20 IF(USB1=1 1284=0) D=004.5 ST=2012/12/12-00:30
ER(ER0=1612 ER1=1602) LPT=2012/12/13-02:16
PC(M=000 R=000 T=003 D=004 C=002)
CLT(BK=2012/12/13-02:22 CL=2012/12/13-02:22)
CH=00001 CT(BK1=040 BK2=000 C=109 M=012 Y=113) IS(BK1=0 BK2=2 C=0 M=2
Y=0
P_ON(S=00014) A_REG=1 M_REG=0
UR(A(BKoe)=000 B(Coe)=000 C(Moe)=000 D(SCoe)=000 E(SMoe)=000
F(PBKoe)=000
G(BKbi)=+02 H(CLbi)=000 I(BK-CL)=-01 J(SCLbi)=000 K(C-SC)=000
L(M-SM)=000)
WP=0117 CDIN(LG=000 PB=000) MSD(000)
PAGE(All=00075 PP=00075 HR+MP=00000 PR+SP+SG=00000 GP=00000 PC=00000
EV=00000)
UCPAGE(All=00051 PP=00051 HR+MP=00000 PR+SP+SG=00000 GP=00000 PC=00000
EV=00000
BPPAGE(All=00107 BSGP=00000 PC=00000)
CDPAGE(All=00000) EDGE=00000 L=00000 CDR=00000
CDRP=(-00144,+00295) CDRS=(028)
Head TempBK=36.0 Head TempC=32.0 Env Temp=30.0 FF(FF FF FF)
HDEEPROM
V0001
SN=0318-A43D
LN(00000 00000 00001 00003 00001 00000 00000)
ID=04
IL=(BK=000 C=+01 M=000 Y=000 C2=000 M2=000 PBK=000)
----
PAGE I believe is the rear feeder
UCPAGE I believe is the lower cartridge
BPPAGE I believe is the number of duplex copies.

All=total page count
PP=Photo paper
HR+MP= High resolution and Matte paper
PR+SP+SG=Photo paper plus, photo paper plus satin, (I think)
00000 GP=glossy paper
PC=Post cards
EV=Envelopes

I think. While I agree this is a good series, this series does over
reasonable cost per page on par with many multi-fuctional lasers even
going OEM ink, I must say it's not geared to count the pages with ease.
And for color, if not used it's still used to some degree though the
cleaning cycles. For this reason I'd lean tward laser. Just about all
printers have a page counter, it's a question of finding it.

But hey, if one is happy hitting <menu><scan><copy><scan> scroll to
[3] printer, scroll to [4] EEprom to get a crypic page account, great.
Just always get two copies, leave one in the printer so the next person
who comes by can have accurate accounting of pages used.
 
My advice is to look for a Canon MP780 or MP760 (the MP780 has fax
capability otherwise they are identical). They work great and the
cartridges aren't chipped which makes compatibles for them inexpensive
and plentiful. I have used an MP780 in my home office for a year and
it has been flawless. It also prints excellent photos. The document
feeder, while being a tad slow, has worked very reliably and makes
batch scanning and copying a snap. I use prefilled compatible carts
that cost me less than $2.00 each which makes my printing cost less
than a laser printer.

The newer Canon printers use chipped cartridges that are proving to be
more expensive and the compatible ink vendors haven't offered
prefilled cartridges for them yet.
Click to expand...

THE ONLY DISADVAN TAGBE OF CHIPPED CARTS IS THEY COST MORE. IT IS A
PLUS IF THEY MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR A USER TO USE (COMPATIBLE IS A
MEANINGLESS WORD) NON OEM INK THAT HAS A HIGHER PROPENSITY TO RUIN THE
PRINTER. ACCORDING TO PCWORLD TESTS THEY PROVED THAT GENERIC INK
(GENERIC MEANS NON OEM) HAS A HIGHER TENDENCY TO CLOG THE PRINTER.

NOW IF YOU PRINT A GREAT DEAL YOU CAN MAYBE MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU.
PCWORLD ALSO SAID THAT EVEN THOUGH SOME USERS THINK IT LOOKS FINE THEY
FADE MORE RAPIDLY. THIS IS NOT JUST THEIR OPINION BUT THEY THIS IS A
RESULTS OF THEIR TESTS.
 
MULTIFUNCTION PRINTERS HAVE VERY FEW ADVANTAGES. THE ONLY TWO ARE SPACE
IF THAT IS CRITICAL AND SOME HAVE AN AUTO SHEET FEEDER FOR THE SCANNER.

THEY MAKE IT UNLIKELY TO GET THE BEST OF BREED MEANING THE BEST PRINTER
COUPLEED WITH THE BEST SCANNER AND IF ONE FUNCTION GOES BAD YOU HAVE TO
TRASH THE OTHER.

EPSON MAKES THE BEST SCANNER AND CANON MAKES THE BEST PRINTER. THE
PRINT QUALITY OF THE IP4200 AND THE IP5200 ARE ABOUT THE SAME BUT THE
LATTER IS MUCH FASTER ON PHOTOS.
 
I have just purchased a Epson RX630 three in one. Very Quiet, beautiful
quality color, easy to scan, copy and it has the circuit on the ink
cartridges. All 6 of them.

I have just finished with a nice quality printer Canon S520 because the
heads were failing. Prior to that I used a HP 670 and a HP 690. Both HP's
lasted me longer than the Canon because they to had circuit cartridges.

hope this info is of some help

ken
 
measekite said:
MULTIFUNCTION PRINTERS HAVE VERY FEW ADVANTAGES.
Click to expand...
(snip)

I agree with mease. For one thing, with a multifunction device, if it
suffers failure, you might lose all of those services at once. For another
thing, almost every single printer or other peripheral designed and priced
for home and small office use is disposable crap.

I think it must make more sense in Japan where landfill is a valid means of
expanding real estate: they use it to add onto their islands or build new
ones.

Have you ever seen the dependability of a good old HP LJ II? Sure, machines
like that cost a ton, but if you can get one used or refurbished, that's a
workhorse with a good cost per page. When they break, they can be fixed,
period (although if you aren't HP trained, it's a living hell).

Otherwise, just buy a printer and a scanner and a fax machine and if your
computer has a modem, you are all set. When one breaks, throw it out and
buy an inexpensive replacement. When you buy, remember that whatever you
buy will likely end up in the trash in a few years anyway.

Watch out for "death chips" and check out replacement costs of cartridges
before you buy. The manufacturers are playing all kinds of tricks.

Some things to look out for are detailed at:
http://think4inc.com/lexmark_hp_printers.php
http://think4inc.com/free_dell_printers.php
 
trevor said:
(snip)

I agree with mease. For one thing, with a multifunction device, if it
suffers failure, you might lose all of those services at once. For another
thing, almost every single printer or other peripheral designed and priced
for home and small office use is disposable crap.

I think it must make more sense in Japan where landfill is a valid means of
expanding real estate: they use it to add onto their islands or build new
ones.

Have you ever seen the dependability of a good old HP LJ II? Sure, machines
like that cost a ton, but if you can get one used or refurbished, that's a
workhorse with a good cost per page. When they break, they can be fixed,
period (although if you aren't HP trained, it's a living hell).

Otherwise, just buy a printer and a scanner and a fax machine and if your
computer has a modem, you are all set. When one breaks, throw it out and
buy an inexpensive replacement. When you buy, remember that whatever you
buy will likely end up in the trash in a few years anyway.

Watch out for "death chips" and check out replacement costs of cartridges
before you buy. The manufacturers are playing all kinds of tricks.

Some things to look out for are detailed at:
http://think4inc.com/lexmark_hp_printers.php
http://think4inc.com/free_dell_printers.php
Click to expand...

I disagree with both of you. ;)

Multifunction printers are terrific depending on your needs. I have a
home office and make copies and send faxes of multi-page documents quite
often. The Canon MP780 I use has proven to be an outstanding machine
and time saver. Say I need to copy a twenty page document. All I need
to do is load the document feeder and press a button and the copy is
made. This is not nearly as easy with separate devices and unless the
scanner has a document feeder, placing 20 sheets into a flatbed scanner
is a real PITA. Some days I do this 5-6 times. The MP780 is a great
time saver and it takes up very little space.

Also, the price of buying multiple machines is greater than the cost of
a multifunction. Especially when buying a scanner with a document
feeder. Multifunction machines are not for everyone but they are very
dependable, capable and convenient. The MP780 has the same print engine
as the iP4000 so it prints very good photos and color exhibits which is
another good feature. It also prints duplex.

Just thought I would throw another viewpoint in the mix.
 
I disagree with both of you. ;)

Multifunction printers are terrific depending on your needs. I have a
home office and make copies and send faxes of multi-page documents
quite often. The Canon MP780 I use has proven to be an outstanding
machine and time saver.
Click to expand...

snip per request

while i will stand by what i said and for all of the reasons i said and
that treavor also said here i did recommend the canon mp780 to my sister
after she said that the most important of all of the criteria was
space. since her volume is low i figured she would get 10 years out of
it and she did not need the best of breed scanner. she did need good
print quality with a good source of oem carts.
Also, the price of buying multiple machines is greater than the cost
of a multifunction. Especially when buying a scanner with a document
feeder.
Click to expand...

as i prevuouslee said a doc feeder is the only other exception and that
is only valuable if you are scanning multiple uniform pages.
Multifunction machines are not for everyone but they are very
dependable, capable and convenient. The MP780 has the same print
engine as the iP4000 so it prints very good photos and color exhibits
which is another good feature. It also prints duplex.
Click to expand...

the engine is similar or almost the same but there are some internal
differe3nces.
 
Multifunction machines are not for everyone but they are very
the engine is similar or almost the same but there are some internal
differe3nces.
Click to expand...

I have to say going by the service manual... part per part, with the
exception of the chassis and the spnt board, oh and power supply, I can
not find a difference between the ip4000 and the mp760, nor the ip4000
and the mp750/780.

Why would there be? From a design standpoint it makes more sense to
mass produce parts and apply them to everything you can than to create
specalized parts exclusive to one unit. Sure there could be some
wackyness due to sizes and such, but could be an is are different
things.

Many of us bought into these AIOs for under $250, with the exception of
the mp750 which sold on outpost IIRC for $99, which was a screaming
deal. Given the ip4000 at the time floated at $100 +/- $20, so
basicly for $150 more you got a multi-fuctional.

There are those who would benifit from seperate units. I for one
scan't exactly take a slide on my mp760 and expect to print 8x10 well.
But 4x6 is not a problem, just large enough to judge whether I would
enjoy something larger which can be handled by Costco. But let's
explore the types of users who would not enjoy any benifit to a better
scanner.

1. Document scanning:. You only need grey scale for this, in fact
grey scale is overkill. 300dpi is adquate.
2. FAX: While there are standards for color fax, most faxing is done
in monochrome.
3. Scan to web. 72dpi is adquate for most purposes, 300dpi for full
blown 4x6 at high resolution.

If your needs are any one of the above three, you don't need to shell
out more than $100 for a scanner, and if you don't want the extra space
taken up by sepearates, and AIO isn't a bad option.
 
zakezuke said:
I have to say going by the service manual... part per part, with the
exception of the chassis and the spnt board, oh and power supply, I can
not find a difference between the ip4000 and the mp760, nor the ip4000
and the mp750/780.

Why would there be? From a design standpoint it makes more sense to
mass produce parts and apply them to everything you can than to create
specalized parts exclusive to one unit. Sure there could be some
wackyness due to sizes and such, but could be an is are different
things.

Many of us bought into these AIOs for under $250, with the exception of
the mp750 which sold on outpost IIRC for $99, which was a screaming
deal. Given the ip4000 at the time floated at $100 +/- $20, so
basicly for $150 more you got a multi-fuctional.
Click to expand...

Price a scanner with a good document feeder. They aren't cheap.
There are those who would benifit from seperate units. I for one
scan't exactly take a slide on my mp760 and expect to print 8x10 well.
But 4x6 is not a problem, just large enough to judge whether I would
enjoy something larger which can be handled by Costco. But let's
explore the types of users who would not enjoy any benifit to a better
scanner.

1. Document scanning:. You only need grey scale for this, in fact
grey scale is overkill. 300dpi is adquate.
2. FAX: While there are standards for color fax, most faxing is done
in monochrome.
3. Scan to web. 72dpi is adquate for most purposes, 300dpi for full
blown 4x6 at high resolution.

If your needs are any one of the above three, you don't need to shell
out more than $100 for a scanner, and if you don't want the extra space
taken up by sepearates, and AIO isn't a bad option.
Click to expand...

Plus, with an AIO, I have only one USB cable to attach to the computer,
instead of one for a printer, one for a telephone line and one for a
scanner. For the technically challenged this is a good thing. IMO,
having a document feeder is worth a lot. It is a HUGE time saver for
those that copy/fax/scan multi-page documents. With the MP780 I can
scan a 20 page document, save it as a single PDF file and either email
it or save it to my computer all with a few minutes of my time.

They will have to pry my MP780 out of my cold dead fingers. It is that
convenient for me. :)
 
Plus, with an AIO, I have only one USB cable to attach to the computer,
instead of one for a printer, one for a telephone line and one for a
scanner. For the technically challenged this is a good thing. IMO,
having a document feeder is worth a lot. It is a HUGE time saver for
those that copy/fax/scan multi-page documents. With the MP780 I can
scan a 20 page document, save it as a single PDF file and either email
it or save it to my computer all with a few minutes of my time.

They will have to pry my MP780 out of my cold dead fingers. It is that
convenient for me. :)
Click to expand...

Yes, the one cable approach is rather spiffy. What I also neglected to
speak about are the wireless AIOs on the market, which near as I'm
aware Canon doesn't offer a wireless inkjet with fax. Fax sharing is
not a feature Windows has out of the box... it should but it doesn't.
In fact a few AIOs i've met don't always support fax sharing... they
should but they sometimes neglect to offer that feature. But with a
network or wireless AIO you automaticly get fax sharing which is a
handy feature if you actually use fax.

Scan sharing is less practical, but there are those who would find it
handy.

I should probally add that users of traditional fax machines would be
wise to consider an AIO. It was different when doc feeders were not an
option on AIOs where it was standard equipment on Fax machines. But
with that minor detail eliminated one could either shell out $200 to
$300 for a printer/fax or $100 for a printer and $100 for a fax.

I'm not a big faxer, and i'm happy faxing via faxmodem. What I am big
on is printing 4x6 from negatives and making the choice to take those
negatives to costco for englargements. That to me is mega spiffy, or
better still being able to shell out 4x6s at the drop of a hat.
 
"Michael Johnson said:
Also, the price of buying multiple machines is greater than the cost of
a multifunction. Especially when buying a scanner with a document
feeder. Multifunction machines are not for everyone but they are very
dependable, capable and convenient. The MP780 has the same print
engine as the iP4000 so it prints very good photos and color exhibits
which is another good feature. It also prints duplex.
Click to expand...

Usually I prefer separate machines, (having said that the machine here
is multifunction (but a big multifunction)) but if I wanted a scanner
with a document feeder, as long as I didn't want an A3 one, I suspect a
cheap multifunction printer might well be the cheapest way to get one.
 
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