Printer recommendations - which has the least bloaty bloatware

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mdf

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Topic # 193547 14-Mar-2016 20:13

We're getting a new place and this one comes with a dedicated study/office - the joy of no more notebooks on the dining room table! I can also finally invest in a better printer than the current POJ in a cupboard. Ideally I'm looking for a networked multi-function laser printer with duplex/double side capability. I'd prefer mono, but will take colour if I have no other choice. I'm aiming for ethernet networking, so doesn't need WiFi.

At the price point I'm looking at (<$500), I'm resigned to the fact it will be average quality at best and I am going to get massively stung on the toner whichever brand I go with.

So I'm hoping to make a purchasing decision based on a brand/model with the least bloaty bloatware. I know for some you can 7zip the setup files and just aim to get the drivers out, but I've had mixed success with that previously.

Recommendations welcome.

Mods: feel free to move this to a more appropriate forum. Windows was tenuous at best, but that's the system that will be bloated by the bloatware.

nakedmolerat

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Reply # 1513283 14-Mar-2016 20:40

I personally prefer inkjet printer (cheap ink cost & fast). My choices are:

x476dw or x576dw (currently only $499 at the warehouse stationery)

The print quality is at the same level as laser printer if not better.

These printers come with:

Duplex scanning - scan to pdf / scan to word / email
Fax
Wifi and wired
Scan to networked drive etc

All the bell and whistle for a $1000 printer.

timmmay

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Reply # 1513289 14-Mar-2016 20:49

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Read this thread. Brother color laser is doing great. Software's fine, scanning is ok. Single sided scan only in the model I have, MFC-9140CDN, but double sided printing. Paper comes out a little curled, which is probably common to many smaller laser printers.

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SATTV

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Reply # 1513301 14-Mar-2016 21:05

I like brother printers, they are nice and easy to set up and you can just extract the drivers ( they are on the brother website anyway )

HP has better quality but loads of bloat.

I know enough to be dangerous

michaelmurfy

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Reply # 1513326 14-Mar-2016 21:27

I have a Brother laser printer - works great and zero bloat due to the drivers being included with Windows / OSX / Linux ;)

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mdf

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Reply # 1513339 14-Mar-2016 22:15

timmmay:

Read this thread. Brother color laser is doing great. Software's fine, scanning is ok. Single sided scan only in the model I have, MFC-9140CDN, but double sided printing. Paper comes out a little curled, which is probably common to many smaller laser printers.

Ohhhh, the _digital imaging_ forum...

Ta, thanks for this. Sounds like Brother is the way to go. Cheers, guys.

jonathan18

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Reply # 1513355 14-Mar-2016 23:04

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I really would suggest you look a bit more into nakedmolerat's suggestion re the HP 576dw - have a read of the reviews on-line, as it's a very highly regarded printer - incredibly quick (70ppm or something), cheaper to run than lasers (1-2c/page b&w), well-built... and at $500 it's a bit of a steal (RRP $1k).

I've got one held for me at Warehouse Stationery for my wife's new business (selected based on a recommendation from another GZ member), as it seems to tick all the boxes.

I'll admit I don't know about its bloatware, but most stuff can be uninstalled, and there's just too much else going for this particular model to make it worth the risk in my book!

See http://www.warehousestationery.co.nz/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/WSL-B2C-Site/en_NZ/-/NZD/ViewOfferDetail-Product?ProductRef=215397@WSL-B2C

Review at http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2415219,00.asp

michaelt

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Reply # 1513358 14-Mar-2016 23:34

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I'm a fan of Brother as well, especially for the driver support. They come with Windows and don't include any bloatware.

Bought a basic B&W Brother HL-1430 laser in 2003 as I was getting sick of ink cartridges drying up, and it's still working 13 years later on the starter toner. Just printed a page last week (doesn't get used much, obviously). It's plug and play under Windows 10 (and I think XP/Vista/7/8) with no bloatware. Just used an old MFC-5440CN multifunction to scan something a few days ago. Ink cartridges dried up years ago, but the scanner works fine with no need to install any drivers either.

Had a Brother duplex B&W multifunction at my last job as well, which worked flawlessly. Was a cheap consumer model but did thousands of pages, almost all duplex, without any issues. Never jammed.

As a contrast, we have a Fuji Xerox Workcentre 220 laser multifunction that we use solely as a photocopier, as there are no 64-bit drivers for it at all, and only a 32-bit Windows XP driver.

DS248

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Reply # 1513384 15-Mar-2016 00:27

If you have the room, something like this could be economical.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/printers/laser/auction-1047887918.htm

Second hand but has 6mth warranty. Presumably overkill for your needs but probably more economical to run than most similar priced new MFP's.

ie. Remanufactured / compatible cartridges cost only ~$100 and approximate yield at 5% coverage is 20000 pages. That works out at only 0.5c per sheet. Genuine cartridge is closer to 3x that price though.

If allow for included cartridge, MFP price is ~$400. Actually, I see it says the additional cartridge is 'original' so if it is genuine HP, may be $260+ alone.

Would enquire what the printer age and page count are first though. Also, the pick up location is Greenlane/Mt Wellington area, not North Shore as stated (just bought a printer from them. Seems fine so far but only had it a day!).

Blurtie

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Reply # 1513433 15-Mar-2016 08:04

I too have the HP 576dw and can say that that promo at the mo is a steal if you can grab one for that price!

Set up was easy. Running windows 10, and just left windows to it to do its thing to install the drivers. There's a cd rom that comes with it, but I didn't use it. So far printing has been a breeze, it just works.

Haven't tried scanning yet. But from what I've seen, if you go to the device itself (under network) it'll open up a web interface and guide you.

As you're probably aware, the only downside is the cost of consumables... There are 4 ink cartridges and they will set you back around $150 each for the standard ones. Although the standard cartridge are rated for approx 2500 pages supposedly. There are XL ones too for around $200 and are rated for a ridiculous 9000+pages. Warehouse stationery is having a buy 1, get 40% off the second deal atm too if your interested.

jonathan18

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Reply # 1513487 15-Mar-2016 08:59

Blurtie:

(cut)

As you're probably aware, the only downside is the cost of consumables... There are 4 ink cartridges and they will set you back around $150 each for the standard ones. Although the standard cartridge are rated for approx 2500 pages supposedly. There are XL ones too for around $200 and are rated for a ridiculous 9000+pages. Warehouse stationery is having a buy 1, get 40% off the second deal atm too if your interested.

That said, the X-series is apparently known for having a very low cost per page - something every review I read commented on. So, yes, a high up-front cost of purchasing the cartridges (especially for the high-capacity ones as you mention), but low overall running cost relative to output. I've also seen the original HP cartridges at considerably lower than $200 each at places like PB Tech - something more like $150sh. That said, the 40% off the second works out at $160 each, which is pretty good as well...

Anyway, check out this video review, if only to see it printing at full speed - something to behold! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrTDEj2tkco

1101

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Reply # 1513582 15-Mar-2016 10:59

mdf:

on a brand/model with the least bloaty bloatware.

mfc software tends to be bloaty. just the way it is. Want bloat free, get a std Laser printer , one that isnt USB only.
If you want the MFC scanner to work, you'll get the bloat .

Easiest way to check: look at the size of the complete software download for the printer you are considering , can be 350Mb +++ . Thats bloat
When it takes 15minutes+ to install: thats bloat

I would avoid HP mfc, personally I find their mfc software can often be awefull (good hardware, lousy software)