Need guidance - multifunction printers

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mairysnshine

Despite trying to find previous posts on this topic it was difficult
to tap into anything recent. If I'm beating a dead horse please be so
kind as to redirect me to the appropriate thread.

We need a multi-function printer. We want to print, scan, fax and
copy. I will be using a MacBook Pro, my husband has a Dell PC. That
means, I assume, that we need a printer that can network....right??

We are not super heavy printer people - we do some photos now and then
and will print documents as needed, but while I do some work at home
over the summer, neither of us rely on our computers or printers much
for work related (and therefore printer heavy) tasks. That said,
however, we would like a quality machine.

For the next few days I can take advantage of a $100 rebate through
Apple, so it would be convenient to select a printer that they carry -
this includes a number of HP and Canon models. However, while it
would be nice to know we saved some money, I would be more comfortable
knowing we'd chosen a better printer over the savings.

Input? Suggestions? THANK YOU!
 
mairysnsh,

That's a hard call, however I will give you 3 reasons on why you
should consider Kodak, Canon, and HP. If I had to buy a new
mulitfunction printer, the main thing I will consider is..."How much
money will I spend on the ink in the future?"

Kodak - When you run out of ink and need to buy new ink, you can
actually buy OEM ink from Kodak that is much cheaper then Canon and
HP. Kodak OEM ink is only $21.99 for a 2 pack, black and white, and
tri-color. That is 50% cheaper then Canon and HP ink that is OEM.
READ THIS LINK...
http://groups.google.com/group/comp...05ba60e0317/9925cd92272ded14#9925cd92272ded14

HP- If you want to save more money, and plan to refill your ink
cartridges by yourself, then there's a company call Dataproducts that
makes a excellent, easy to use refill cartridge. However, this
product is only made for certain HP models. (Note that a new 2 pack
OEM cartridge from HP could run you $50.00.)
READ THIS LINK...
http://groups.google.com/group/comp...3b30f8393e5/e345e78eec187f78#e345e78eec187f78

CANON- If you want to save the most money on refilling your ink
cartridges, then Canon appears to be the way to go. I know of 2 ink
brand formulators that you should look for when buying the refill kit:
Image Specialist and Formulabs. If you want places to buy this ink
from, just ask me again and somebody will post it.

Stan
 
Despite trying to find previous posts on this topic it was difficult
to tap into anything recent. If I'm beating a dead horse please be so
kind as to redirect me to the appropriate thread.

We need a multi-function printer. We want to print, scan, fax and
copy. I will be using a MacBook Pro, my husband has a Dell PC. That
means, I assume, that we need a printer that can network....right??
Click to expand...

Networking a MFP takes away a primary function. The scanner as to be
next to the person who is going to operate it so the machine can really
be next to one computer. You can only remotely share the fax and printer.

A disadvantage of MFP is you cannot get best of breed. I think that
Canon makes the best printer and Epson the best scanner. And if you are
after the best business text quality adn do not care about photos then
HP might be a way to go.

There are two main reasons to consider a MFP. Space is the primary
consideration and you need an inexpensive Auto Document Feeder. ADF.
That said look at the Canon models above the 700 series.
 
mairysnsh,

That's a hard call, however I will give you 3 reasons on why you
should consider Kodak, Canon, and HP. If I had to buy a new
mulitfunction printer, the main thing I will consider is..."How much
money will I spend on the ink in the future?"

Kodak - When you run out of ink and need to buy new ink, you can
actually buy OEM ink from Kodak that is much cheaper then Canon and
HP. Kodak OEM ink is only $21.99 for a 2 pack, black and white, and
tri-color. That is 50% cheaper then Canon and HP ink that is OEM.
READ THIS LINK...
Click to expand...

When one color runs out you need to throw the remaining in away.
http://groups.google.com/group/comp...05ba60e0317/9925cd92272ded14#9925cd92272ded14

HP- If you want to save more money, and plan to refill your ink
cartridges by yourself, then there's a company call Dataproducts that
makes a excellent, easy to use refill cartridge. However, this
product is only made for certain HP models. (Note that a new 2 pack
OEM cartridge from HP could run you $50.00.)
READ THIS LINK...
http://groups.google.com/group/comp...3b30f8393e5/e345e78eec187f78#e345e78eec187f78

CANON- If you want to save the most money on refilling your ink
cartridges, then Canon appears to be the way to go. I know of 2 ink
brand formulators that you should look for when buying the refill kit:
Image Specialist and Formulabs. If you want places to buy this ink
from, just ask me again and somebody will post it.
Click to expand...
They said they do not print much. Therefore they will not save much by
refilling and having the mess.
 
Thanks for everyone's input so far.

We will probably not go the refillable route -- while it would be nice
to save a little money, we are probably going to stick with the
convenience of purchasing new cartridges as needed.

Also, while it would be nice to have the best machine for each
function, we're more interested in space-saving and just streamlining
all of the functions at one site. As mentioned before, we're more
interested in the convenience of having those capabilities available
to us when we need them than we are in producing the most impeccable
products, if that makes sense.
 
Thanks so far for everyone's input.

We will probably not go in the direction of refilling our own
cartridges -- despite the cost benefit we'll probably aim more for the
convenience of purchasing new cartridges as needed.

Also, we are considering most the convenience and space needs of the
printer. For that reason we're most interested in an all-in-one unit.
It's more important to have those functions available to us as needed
rather than to produce the most impeccable product in either category,
if that makes sense.

Now, if I might ask --- what is the significance of having a unit that
can network? I understand that we might lose the function of the
scanner, lets say, to one of the computers.... but is having
networking capabilities critical if we want to use to computers (one
Mac, one PC) on the same printer unit? If everything is sitting on
the same desk, what would be the best configuration? (I ask because
the printers I am probably most interested in, the Canon Pixma MP530
OR MP830 don't have built in networking!)

I'm having a hard time finding reviews of the Kodak printers.
 
Thanks for everyone's input so far.

We will probably not go the refillable route -- while it would be nice
to save a little money, we are probably going to stick with the
convenience of purchasing new cartridges as needed.

Also, while it would be nice to have the best machine for each
function, we're more interested in space-saving and just streamlining
all of the functions at one site. As mentioned before, we're more
interested in the convenience of having those capabilities available
to us when we need them than we are in producing the most impeccable
products, if that makes sense.
Click to expand...

In that case the Canon MFP that can also do faxes with an ADF (Automatic
Document Feeder) would be the best bet. It is the best photo printer,
an OK text and business printer, and an OK scanner. A fax is a fax.
 
 
Thanks so far for everyone's input.

We will probably not go in the direction of refilling our own
cartridges -- despite the cost benefit we'll probably aim more for the
convenience of purchasing new cartridges as needed.

Also, we are considering most the convenience and space needs of the
printer. For that reason we're most interested in an all-in-one unit.
It's more important to have those functions available to us as needed
rather than to produce the most impeccable product in either category,
if that makes sense.

Now, if I might ask --- what is the significance of having a unit that
can network? I understand that we might lose the function of the
scanner, lets say, to one of the computers.... but is having
networking capabilities critical if we want to use to computers (one
Mac, one PC) on the same printer unit? If everything is sitting on
the same desk, what would be the best configuration? (I ask because
the printers I am probably most interested in, the Canon Pixma MP530
OR MP830 don't have built in networking!)
Click to expand...

The Canon MP830 is the best bet and you can network them despite the
printer itself not having networking built in. Just attach via USB to
the Windows computer and share the printer over a peer to peer ethernet
network. You can also use a router and that would be good if you also
have a DSL or Cable modem. You can then access the unit from either
machine.
 
We need a multi-function printer. We want to print, scan, fax and
copy. I will be using a MacBook Pro, my husband has a Dell PC. That
means, I assume, that we need a printer that can network....right??
Click to expand...

That is your best bet, yes.

We are not super heavy printer people - we do some photos now and then
and will print documents as needed, but while I do some work at home
over the summer, neither of us rely on our computers or printers much
for work related (and therefore printer heavy) tasks. That said,
however, we would like a quality machine.

For the next few days I can take advantage of a $100 rebate through
Apple, so it would be convenient to select a printer that they carry -
this includes a number of HP and Canon models.
Click to expand...

Just about any of those will do fine.
 
Now, if I might ask --- what is the significance of having a unit that
can network? I understand that we might lose the function of the
scanner, lets say, to one of the computers.... but is having
networking capabilities critical if we want to use to computers (one
Mac, one PC) on the same printer unit?
Click to expand...

You won't necessarily lose your scanning. Brother does one helluva job
on network units like what you describe, complete with network scanning.
 
Okay...that is good to know. I'm not SUPER familiar with what it means
to have an ethernet connection - I mean, we have two computers at
home, each now connected to it's own printer via USB cable. We use
cable internet, soon to switch to Verizon FIOS.

Any of you familiar with the Canon Pixma 530 vs. the 830 model??
 
Elmo P. Shagnasty wrote:

Now, if I might ask --- what is the significance of having a unit that can network? I understand that we might lose the function of the scanner, lets say, to one of the computers.... but is having networking capabilities critical if we want to use to computers (one Mac, one PC) on the same printer unit?



You won't necessarily lose your scanning. Brother does one helluva job on network units like what you describe, complete with network scanning.


If you have tgwo computers in two different room and network a scanner the purpose of the scanner is not met.  The scanner can only be in one place so someone has to get up and place the document on the scanner.
 
Okay...that is good to know. I'm not SUPER familiar with what it means
to have an ethernet connection - I mean, we have two computers at
home, each now connected to it's own printer via USB cable. We use
cable internet, soon to switch to Verizon FIOS.

Any of you familiar with the Canon Pixma 530 vs. the 830 model??
Click to expand...

The 530 is OK but I believe the 830 has an ADF. If not I would
definately get the one with the Automatic Document Feeds and Fax. I am
not sure if the 539 has a fax capability. www.canonusa.com
 
measekite said:
Elmo P. Shagnasty wrote:
Now, if I might ask --- what is the significance of having a unit that
can network? I understand that we might lose the function of the
scanner, lets say, to one of the computers.... but is having
networking capabilities critical if we want to use to computers (one
Mac, one PC) on the same printer unit?

You won't necessarily lose your scanning. Brother does one helluva job
on network units like what you describe, complete with network scanning.

If you have tgwo computers in two different room and network a scanner
the purpose of the scanner is not met. The scanner can
only be in one place so someone has to get up and place the document
on the scanner.
Click to expand...

I've heard you say this in the past, but in fact it's no more relevant than
saying that it's no point in networking a printer "because someone has to
get up and remove the printouts from the printer"

When networking a scanner in the home environment there isn't much of a
problem placing stuff on it; what is really useful with networking is that
you don't need to kick somebody off the computer attached to the scanner to
use it.
 
OG said:
I've heard you say this in the past, but in fact it's no more relevant than
saying that it's no point in networking a printer "because someone has to
get up and remove the printouts from the printer"

When networking a scanner in the home environment there isn't much of a
problem placing stuff on it; what is really useful with networking is that
you don't need to kick somebody off the computer attached to the scanner to
use it.
Click to expand...

MealyMouth is thinking that scanning is inherently an interactive
thing--put a document on the scanner, go to the computer, push a button
on the screen, scan, wait, remove document, put another document on the
scanner, go to the computer, push a button on the screen, scan, wait,
later, rinse repeat.

He would be wrong about that.

I can walk up to my networked scanner, a Brother 7820N, and do all my
scanning to my computer using nothing more than the front panel of the
scanner itself. I can scan multiple items to multiple destinations--be
it to multiple computers, or to multiple destinations on the same
computer (scan some stuff to email, scan some stuff to PDF, scan some
stuff to image, etc.).

As long as my computer is on--wherever it is--and networked to that
scanner, I don't have to be at my computer at all to put things on the
scanner AND scan them to the computer.

Clearly, MealyMouth has exactly zero experience in such things--but:

a) does this surprise anyone, and

b) does anyone doubt that he will continue to spout the same uninformed
crap when this subject comes up again?
 
With a MAC you have the option to use Airport Express that will make them
wireless.
If you need speed go with the MP830 if not the MP530 has a better scanner
just slightly slower printing.
The 830 also has a screen and card slots and will duplex copy,scan and print
automatically.
The 530 will duplex print but will require you to manually duplex copy or
scan through the automatic document feeder.
 
Elmo said:
MealyMouth is thinking that scanning is inherently an interactive
thing--put a document on the scanner, go to the computer, push a button
on the screen, scan, wait, remove document, put another document on the
scanner, go to the computer, push a button on the screen, scan, wait,
later, rinse repeat.

He would be wrong about that.

I can walk up to my networked scanner, a Brother 7820N, and do all my
scanning to my computer using nothing more than the front panel of the
scanner itself. I can scan multiple items to multiple destinations--be
it to multiple computers, or to multiple destinations on the same
computer (scan some stuff to email, scan some stuff to PDF, scan some
stuff to image, etc.).

As long as my computer is on--wherever it is--and networked to that
scanner, I don't have to be at my computer at all to put things on the
scanner AND scan them to the computer.

Clearly, MealyMouth has exactly zero experience in such things--but:

a) does this surprise anyone, and

b) does anyone doubt that he will continue to spout the same uninformed
crap when this subject comes up again?
Click to expand...

You nailed his ass exactly!
Good shot! :-)
Frank
 
Okay...that is good to know. I'm not SUPER familiar with what it means
to have an ethernet connection - I mean, we have two computers at
home, each now connected to it's own printer via USB cable. We use
cable internet, soon to switch to Verizon FIOS.

Any of you familiar with the Canon Pixma 530 vs. the 830 model??
Click to expand...

I was going to suggest a Canon MP830. I have had the previous model,
the MP780, for two years that I use in a home office. It has worked
flawlessly. The MP830 has some great features like two sided printing
AND copying. It works great as a stand alone copier/fax machine too.
Plus, it is easy to refill if you get the urge.
 
OK...you have all been great with your input. Here's where I stand:

I still don't know if I should get an HP or a Canon. I've narrowed it
down to the Canon PIXMA mp830 or an HP all-in-one, of which there are
a number of models to choose from through Apple. I think we're
leaning towards the 5140 or the 6180.

This, however, is where I'm stuck. I mean....I'm at the point of just
drawing a name out of hat! It seems as if every set of reviews out
there says the same thing about each of 'em.... on Amazon, for every 4
people saying a printer is great you have 1 saying it's the worst
thing they've ever used! I haven't seen anything that really
distinguishes one from the other. I am just kind of lost. So....if
any of you helpful computer people out there have a final opinion on
which one of these things to get I would appreciate the input. What
matters to us is that 1) both computers (Mac and PC) can use it 2) it
scans, faxes and prints to the best quality an all-in-one printer can
muster 3) it's reliable and 4) hovers no higher than the $300 range.

Thanks again!
 
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