Best home printer?

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ChristineNZL

242 posts

Master Geek

#146986 5-Jun-2014 08:07

Our Canon Pixma needs new ink so I've decided it's time to get rid of it! We have had 2 Pixmas in the past and they have both died just a few months out of warranty and we've always just bought new ink for them so bought another Pixma just so we won't have wasted money on the ink. Anyway this time I've decided to forget new ink and just never buy a Pixma again.

We just want a cheap multi-function printer. We do not print photos. We really just want to print homework that the children have done and to scan and copy now and then. I did a quick Google and had decided on a Brother MFCJ470DW as Harvey Norman had it for $110 and Brother were doing a $30 cash back but we were a day too late for that so I decided to keep doing a bit more research which brings me here. Warehouse Stationery have good deals on Epson printers at the moment but I really don't know much about them or any other printers to be honest other than our bad experience with Canon Pixma - never again! Thanks.

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#1059524 5-Jun-2014 08:18

If you don't want to be able to print photos, get a laser printer.

I had a Brother MFCJ470DW (or something similar) It died when I threw it on the ground as hard as I could. It was a terrible device.

I have a brother mono laser that's more than 10 years old and still going strong, I've had to replace the toner once. You can pick up an equivalent model now for @$100 if you find the right place.
They do a colour laser too which isn't too badly priced IMO.

If you want a scanner on it too they get pricey, but still infinitely cheaper to run than an inkjet.

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek

#1059528 5-Jun-2014 08:22

I would go HP, personally, for a multifunction inkjet. Depending on budget preference, something like a Deskjet 2510/2540, Envy 4500 or OfficeJet 4630. You should be able to find these for ~$60, ~$100 and ~$150 respectively if you shop around.

Edit: I would suggest a laser, too, if your budget can stretch - since you want MFC functionality, you'd probably have to look at $200 - $250ish to get a laser multifunction.

ChristineNZL

242 posts

Master Geek

#1059533 5-Jun-2014 08:27

Thanks. We could live without the scanner. I'll look in to the laser options. Just a printer where I don't have to curse at it all the time!

hairy1

3332 posts

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#1059540 5-Jun-2014 08:37

We have an HP OfficeJetPro 8600 plus and it is the bees knees. Great internet integration (scan to email etc) and consumables claim to be cheaper than laser. The low cost brothers are terrible. You just need to look at their page yields to work out how they make money on a $60 printer.

Cheers, Matt.

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MikeB4

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#1059551 5-Jun-2014 08:52

look beyond the price of the print device, often the hardware is cheap but the consumables are horribly expensive, If you have a good smartphone that can scan look at buying a Laser the PPP is often a lot cheaper

SpudInNZ

33 posts

Geek

#1059622 5-Jun-2014 10:11

Reading the OP's post was interesting. I'm in exactly the same position with my P.O.S. Canon Pixma. It uses a ridiculous amount of fkn expensive ink and I simply refuse to buy more ink for it.

We do print photos, and scan stuff and print stuff out for kids' homework. I'm not sure which way to turn really. I'm thinking the HP Envy 120, does anybody have one of those?

andrewNZ

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#1059671 5-Jun-2014 10:44

IMO there is no such thing as a good inkjet, nearly every one I've had has died when the ink dried in the heads, and they're VERY expensive to run.

You're probably better off getting a straight laser printer. You can "scan" using any digital camera or smartphone (or keep the Pixma for scanning only), and there are stacks of places that will print photos for a fairly minimal cost (probably less than it costs you).

When I got my mono laser, the biggest worry I had was whether I'd regret not having colour printing. I don't, although I do wish mine was duplex. When it finally comes time to replace it, I will get a colour laser that does duplex printing.

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ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#1059693 5-Jun-2014 11:12

Get a Brother black only laser. Super reliable, and dirt cheap. If you really need colour, and you will find this is not actually very often, just go to a shop and pay the $1 or whatever a page.

http://pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=PTRBRT1110&name=BROTHER-HL1110-Mono-laser-Printer-150-sheet-Closab

$80 should have enough toner for at least 750 pages.

Toner for same: $60 - good for at least 1000 more pages

http://pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=LASBRT1517887&name=BROTHER-Toner-TN2030-Black-(1000-Page)

A hot tip with these, when it says "toner low" just find the peep window on the toner cartridge and cover it with black tape, it will keep going for even longer.

I've had one for years now and it's been trouble free. If it ever did break I'd just buy a new one!

andrewNZ

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#1059716 5-Jun-2014 12:14

I'd recommend one of these. All do duplex printing. I'd personally go straight for the colour, but if the kids print loads of stuff, the mono may be a better option.
Mono (USB only) $114 http://pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=PTRBRT1672906&name=BROTHER-HL2240D-Mono-Laser-Printer--Duplex-250-she
Mono (USB/Network) $149 http://pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=PTRBRT1224373&name=BROTHER-HL2250DN-Mono-Laser-Printer--Network-ready
Colour $298 ($198 after cashback) (USB/Network) http://pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=PTRBRT3150&name=BROTHER-HL3150CDN-Colour-Laser-Printer-($100-cash-

Also, it appears my current printer can't be more than 8 years old (I previously claimed more than 10) so it's probably 7-8 years old, still pretty good for any printer.

Hammerer

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#1059756 5-Jun-2014 12:55

I agree with andrewNZ. Colour laser with duplex as you can configure a colour laser printer to default to mono and duplex printing which will save on paper and toner costs. Keep the Pixma for scanning.

Lasers are usually cheaper to operate but if you do a cost comparison you need to factor in more consumables than just toner. The BROTHER HL3150CDN consumables requires replacement $220 imaging drum at 15k pages and $190 transfer belt and $50 waste toner collector at 50k pages. In this case, you'd probably just buy a new printer at 50k pages.

I have A4 and A3 inkjet and laser printers and much prefer laser printers for speed, reliability, lower consumable costs, and prints that don't run when wet. I mainly use the inkjets for scanning and the occasional photo print. I generally buy heavy-duty laser printers second-hand but nowadays even the home laser printers can be very reliable.

SpudInNZ

33 posts

Geek

#1059764 5-Jun-2014 13:04

Thanks for this.

Keeping the Pixma for scanning is a good idea (if I can find room in the office). Unfortunately its photo prints are absolutely dreadful, which is another reason why I want to buy a new printer.

ChristineNZL

242 posts

Master Geek

#1059787 5-Jun-2014 13:19

Lots to consider. Keeping the Pixma for the odd scan and copy is a good idea. Colour for us is a must as that is mainly what my girls use for their homework - it's all about pretty presentation lol!

Niel

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#1060134 5-Jun-2014 22:30

I've got an HP multifunction with a compact footprint you can have if you pick it up in East Auckland. Ink might be nearly finished but there are many aftermarket suppliers. I've changed to a Samsung network colour laser printer when I've found it for a really, really good price.

You can never have enough Volvos!

ChristineNZL

242 posts

Master Geek

#1060195 6-Jun-2014 06:45

Niel: I've got an HP multifunction with a compact footprint you can have if you pick it up in East Auckland. Ink might be nearly finished but there are many aftermarket suppliers. I've changed to a Samsung network colour laser printer when I've found it for a really, really good price.

Thanks but alas we are in Wellington so a tad far lol!

Regs

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Snowflake

#1060618 6-Jun-2014 22:58

I've used a few brother colour lasers over the last few years in the office. cheap, reliable, and cheap to run. way cheaper than HP etc. the colour isn't as good as in some printers, but at 1/10th the price per colour page, its good enough!

out of interest, which model pixma and what city? I've either got ink to sell, or a printer to buy, as my pixma 5350 died :( (and I will replace with a brother laser when I get around to it)

most of the time I can live without a scanner - the camera on the tablet or phone is 'near enough' for what I need.

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