Printer/scanner. Advice on cheap option

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dafman

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#270526 13-May-2020 18:23

I'm looking at purchasing a cheap inkjet scanner/printer for infrequent printing (maybe only two or three times a year).

It's years since I've owned a home printer. In the old days inkjet printers used to clog up if not used regularly. Is this still the case?

My main use is for printing, signing, scanning. Any recommendations? Colour not required, I just want cheap basic functionality.

davidcole

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#2482999 13-May-2020 18:45

While not helping with the printing, For scanning have you tried a modern cell phone, Some apps are very good at it (scannable by Evernote I use)

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tchart

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#2483008 13-May-2020 18:58

If you want cheap and good quality get a small laser printer. I got a brother a few months ago for $150 or so. Ink is relatively cheap for mono laser.

If you have to scan as well, I mostly scan using my phone nowadays, then look for a multi function ink jet. The issue with these is the ink. Even if you only print in black many won't let you print if the other cartridges are empty. Ink jets can also dry out if not used regularly.

So in your case I'd probably get a cheap laser printer and use your phone to scan.

If you are using apple products like an iPad make sure the printer has air print (mine doesn't so I have to print using the brother app).

tchart

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#2483016 13-May-2020 19:05

Oh it was only $99, even better.

https://www.warehousestationery.co.nz/product/W2215406.html#q=Brother+laser&start=1

andrewNZ

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#2483042 13-May-2020 19:21

For infrequent printing a laser is the go.
I went through lots of inkjet printers because I only used them once or twice a year. The ink dried up in them and blocked the heads.

The mono laser I got is still going 10+ years later. It's since been put out to pasture in favor of a color laser which is also great.

Unless you're trying to scan in bulk documents, use your phone.
I use office lens, try it, it will surprise you.

JWR

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#2483196 13-May-2020 22:14

I'd look around for deals too.

Quite often printers have cashback from the manufacturer.

The last printer, I bought, was 40% off in sale and had $200 cashback from HP.

A $700 colour laser printer/scanner ended being about $220.

Of course, the original HP toner cartridges are very expensive.

Always factor that into any purchase.

dafman

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#2483341 14-May-2020 07:49

Thanks all, helpful. It looks like historical issues with infrequent use for inkjet remain, so will look at Brother mono laser option.

I was hoping for a scanner as well, but the Office Lens app looks like a useful substitute and will work for what I need.

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BlueShift

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#2483386 14-May-2020 09:04

Lasers are far, cheaper per page - my Pixma inkjet is about $50-$70 per cartridge, and each cartridge will print 400ish standard pages, so about 16c/page.

A laser cartridge costs more, but will do 2000 pages, more like 2c per page.

1101

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#2483664 14-May-2020 12:40

dafman:

Thanks all, helpful. It looks like historical issues with infrequent use for inkjet remain, so will look at Brother mono laser option.

Brother have a MFC Laser/scanner (I just supplied one to a client)
https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/PTRBRT2713/Brother-MFCL2713DW-Mono-Laser-MF-PrintCopyScanFax

Cheap Inkjets are still an option, however you WILL be replacing inkcarts , even if only printing 2 pages per month, due to auto cleaning cycles
using up the ink & being pre-programmed to force you to replace inkjet carts at certain intervals (thats a scam for sure) .
Just factor in a set of generic refills once a year , if buying cheap inkjet MFC's