Printer recommendations ?

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xyeovillian

239 posts

Master Geek

#262213 10-Jan-2020 16:38

My existing Canon MP520 has just stopped can't alter paper feed so not working anymore, just need a basic printer to print bank statements (PDF) general home printing and scanner for receipts etc.

As this is an old printer, have got out of touch how much to spend with a view of running costs ink cartridges ?

I see you can get them for as low as $15.00 wouldn't mind spending about $100 is this a realistic price for something half decent?

nzkc

874 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2389790 10-Jan-2020 17:12

My advice would be to go for a laser printer.

I had a multi function ink jet that I didnt use often so the ink would dry up or clog up the jets. Would be forever having to clean and recalibrate it just to print a single page. When it eventually died I finally stumped up the cash to get colour laser (Brother HL-3170CDW if you're interested). Would never go back to inkjet.

I dont need to scan or copy like I used to. And where I do - then a photo from a phone is adequate anyway. You can of course get a multi function laser.

So yes more up front cost and replacing a toner cartridge (or several) will be more than an ink cartridge. However; far less hassles (like none!) and many more prints. Better quality. Never any smudging etc. I think the actual print costs (ie cents per sheet) are comparable.

Edit: To directly answer your question... no I dont think $15 or even $100 is realistic. I mean, sure you can pick up a printer for that, but I wouldn't expect it to last at all. Typically you're stung in printing costs (replacement ink). And I'm now at the stage where I just cant bring myself to buy a new printer every time the ink runs out - even though thats cheaper. Its just too wasteful.

timmmay

16105 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#2389846 10-Jan-2020 19:55

My Brother color laser multifunction is six years old, which is much longer lasting than most inkjets have lasted. It won't print double sided any more, and it's saying a part needs to be replaced (which is apparently a consumable), so I wonder if it's better to spend another $500 on a new one or try to fix this one.

halper86

225 posts

Master Geek

#2389909 10-Jan-2020 21:14

+1 for a laser

panther2

79 posts

Master Geek

#2389941 10-Jan-2020 22:05

My cannon injet was just over 100 bucks from HN on sale. Mb5100 I think. Sure the injet cleaning time can be annoying but the ink refills are cheap (non cannon) wifi and scanner also is my draw card.

rogercruse

347 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2389981 11-Jan-2020 09:18

Why don't you simply go to your nearest computer printer retailer* and see what they have on offer?

* We went to Stationary Warehouse but I'm sure other retail chains will have similar deals

We needed more ink for our two year old printer so went shopping... just before purchasing their best ink package, we checked the price of their new printers and found one with a better specification than ours being heavily discounted and cheaper than the ink package.

So, we purchased the newer printer that used a slightly cheaper ink cartridge.

OK, the ink provided was a 'full' cartridge, but the overall saving made the deal too good to refuse.

froob

554 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2389989 11-Jan-2020 09:39

I bought a brother MFC-J1300DW “ink tank” printer six months or so back. Seems to be quite good for home use, although colour print quality is not amazing.

It can also scan documents direct to my NAS, which is nice.

Might be an option to consider if space or budget are constrained.

martyyn

1363 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#2389990 11-Jan-2020 09:44

I bought a couple of Brother HL1210W when Warehouse Stationery last had a sale on them. They are $69 at HN right now.

Mono laser but appears to come with a full cartridge as the first one listed for 2 years.

I use Adobe Scan on my phone for receipts.

lNomNoml

1526 posts

Uber Geek

#2390185 11-Jan-2020 11:17

Epson Ecotank, cheap as chips to run, just the initial investment that will deter, but if you take into account buying new ink and toner for another printer it quickly pays it's self off, otherwise you can go laser if you want, not as cheap though.

sqishy

435 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2390190 11-Jan-2020 11:36

Cheap Brother Laser is best and smallest footprint, use your phone to scan i.e. take a picture.

shrub

544 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2390195 11-Jan-2020 11:42

Yea use ya phone to scan to pdf then have it save to any of the cloud based storage. Find an old Brother laser that is out of toner($10 normally) and get a knock off toner($40) job done.