Recommend me a multifunction printer?

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timmmay

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Topic # 150642 29-Jul-2014 09:18

I'd like some help choosing a reliable printer. I've had an Epson Artisan for 4 years that's worked well, but the print heads are blocked and I can't be bothered trying to fix the stupid thing. I like having a color printer and scanner around, it's handy, and I use it a couple of times a week at least.

I use the printer for:
- Scanning, mostly receipts and documents, very regularly
- Printing documents, occasionally. Mostly B&W, occasionally color.
- Printing proofs of images or wedding album layouts, very occasionally. Color accuracy isn't important.

Per-page print cost isn't critical because I don't print that much, but is a factor. Most important is reliability, and ideally the ability to refill the printing medium or use cheaper cartridges. Any recommendations?

I could get a separate scanner if required, but my space is limited. Wireless would be a huge advantage as running cables to where I keep the printer would be problematic. Printer speed is irrelevant.

Sorry unsure which forum this should go in.

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Reply # 1097711 29-Jul-2014 09:57

My wifes employer just bought her one of these to use at home - http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=1084/ID=15990/SID=392557356/productdetails.html

Seems to be quite good so far, scanned quite a few documents and printed 50+ pages with no hassles. Toner and drum replacements dont seem too badly priced either.

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Mark

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Reply # 1097718 29-Jul-2014 10:05

Last month I replaced our HP 3110 multifunction with a Brother MFCJ4510DW very impressed with it so far, has only one niggle so far which I think will get fixed in a firmware update in that sometimes my iMac can't find the printer over wifi.

Specs wise are good and it's pretty good on ink usage (done a load of printing and the ink levels on the half filled starter cartridges have barely moved).

Things I like :

WiFi and LAN connectivity as well as USB
- can scan to network shares amongst other things
- config can be accessed via it's web page
Can print on A3 paper
Two sided printing
Document feeder for the scanner
it's fast
Small form factor
- It prints on the paper in a landscape orientation, quite a neat "why didn't I think of that" idea makes the unit much smaller
and it was cheap, Brother had a $100 rebate going which they paid within a week.

Downsides

Flakey WiFi
- hoping firmware will sort it
Replacement ink is on the higher price side, but it seems very good at not wasting so not had to buy any yet (and the XL carts are meant to do 1200pages)
It's a bit plasticy, I think young kids should be kept away from it or you risk them twisting it apart.

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timmmay

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Reply # 1097739 29-Jul-2014 10:29

Is there a color laser that's economic and worth looking at?

xpd: My wifes employer just bought her one of these to use at home - http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=1084/ID=15990/SID=392557356/productdetails.html

Seems to be quite good so far, scanned quite a few documents and printed 50+ pages with no hassles. Toner and drum replacements dont seem too badly priced either.

Thanks, but I need color. I like the idea of laser though, maybe less hassle.

Mark: Last month I replaced our HP 3110 multifunction with a Brother MFCJ4510DW very impressed with it so far, has only one niggle so far which I think will get fixed in a firmware update in that sometimes my iMac can't find the printer over wifi.

Specs wise are good and it's pretty good on ink usage (done a load of printing and the ink levels on the half filled starter cartridges have barely moved).

Things I like :

WiFi and LAN connectivity as well as USB
- can scan to network shares amongst other things
- config can be accessed via it's web page
Can print on A3 paper
Two sided printing
Document feeder for the scanner
it's fast
Small form factor
- It prints on the paper in a landscape orientation, quite a neat "why didn't I think of that" idea makes the unit much smaller
and it was cheap, Brother had a $100 rebate going which they paid within a week.

Downsides

Flakey WiFi
- hoping firmware will sort it
Replacement ink is on the higher price side, but it seems very good at not wasting so not had to buy any yet (and the XL carts are meant to do 1200pages)
It's a bit plasticy, I think young kids should be kept away from it or you risk them twisting it apart.

Worth looking at, thanks.

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bagheera

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Reply # 1097815 29-Jul-2014 12:07

timmmay: Is there a color laser that's economic and worth looking at?

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=399552

reven

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Reply # 1097818 29-Jul-2014 12:10

if you're able to demo a unit in store, check to see the scanning etc functions still work when there's no ink installed.

my HP when theres no ink its a race to use the scanner before the "no ink" error prevents me from using it. havent bothered to buy new ink since I never need to print anything (but occasionally need to scan something to email)

jdmatt

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Reply # 1097824 29-Jul-2014 12:31

I'm looking at getting one of these

http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=1084/ID=21019/SID=586318207/productdetails.html

timmmay

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Reply # 1097871 29-Jul-2014 13:12

Thanks guys. I take it laser printers don't tend to have wireless then? Running ethernet is possible but I'd have to put a little switch in for it, I think I have a spare one though. Another thought, I tend to turn it on, use it, and turn it off, will a laser work ok like that?

Interested to hear about brands that people are generally happy with. Epson I like fine, especially with the CISS, it's just worn out. Printers aren't made to last.

I just have blocked nozzels, and I can't really be bothered taking the whole printer apart to try to clean them. The self clean function does nothign.

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Amosnz

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Reply # 1097894 29-Jul-2014 14:04

jdmatt: I'm looking at getting one of these

http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=1084/ID=21019/SID=586318207/productdetails.html

I almost got one of these a couple weeks ago at Warehouse Stationary but the missus decided no. They had a 30% off sale as well as the $100 cashback so the price worked out to $319. I got the info from this thread.
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=164&topicid=150291

Cashback ends soon:
2. To qualify for this offer the participant must have purchased any of the following models between 01 July 2014 and 11:59pm 31 July 2014. HL3150CDN, HL3170CDW, MFC9140CDN or MFC9340CDW for $100 cash back

Dratsab

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Reply # 1097914 29-Jul-2014 14:32

I recently purchased a Canon MG7160 to replace a Canon Pixma iP4500 printer and a HP C6380 MFC which I used for scanning only. Very nice machine and very quiet - it's scans so quietly you don't even know it's scanning until it's finished. Runs wired or wireless, has all the usual smartphone apps etc.

timmmay

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Reply # 1097915 29-Jul-2014 14:33

Thanks Drat. I've had three Canon inkjet printers over the years, I've found them unreliable. I'd rather buy another Epson.

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jjaz

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Reply # 1098070 29-Jul-2014 18:19

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I bought an Epson Workforce WF-3640 a couple of months ago - around $200 mark. Very happy with it. Reasonable colour printing, good scanning, two paper trays, auto duplex, wireless that works, etc.

timmmay

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Reply # 1098202 29-Jul-2014 21:03

Epson workforce is definitely on my list, thanks.

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timmmay

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Reply # 1121521 4-Sep-2014 08:05

The Brother color laser MFC9140CDN is looking like a likely candidate.

Has anyone used aftermarket toner in a laser? For example Inkworks offer the printer complete with their own toner cartridges for a decent price. Their black toner is $70 compared with $126 for genuine. TRD toner is about the same price. You can also buy bottles of toner on ebay.

Two more questions:
- Is third party toner worth buying, given $125 / 2500 pages is 5c/page?
- Can anyone comment on the reliability of Brother laser printers?

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eluSiveNZ

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Reply # 1121526 4-Sep-2014 08:19

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timmmay: The Brother color laser MFC9140CDN is looking like a likely candidate.

Has anyone used aftermarket toner in a laser? For example Inkworks offer the printer complete with their own toner cartridges for a decent price. Their black toner is $70 compared with $126 for genuine. TRD toner is about the same price. You can also buy bottles of toner on ebay.

Two more questions:
- Is third party toner worth buying, given $125 / 2500 pages is 5c/page?
- Can anyone comment on the reliability of Brother laser printers?

I have had this exact printer for almost 1 year. Nearly time to replace the black toner.
I'll be buying genuine as Brother will "Turbo Boost" the standard warranty to a 3 year onsite warranty when genuine consumables are used.

andrewNZ

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Reply # 1121528 4-Sep-2014 08:20

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My Brother mono laser has been going a long time now. In somewhere around 6 years it's printed 2502 pages and had 4 paper jams.

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