Printer suggestions

[6172crew]

I need a new printer/scanner for home use, I plan on printing photos and scanning documents and Id like to wireless network it. I looks at toms hardware and a few other sites for ones in the $100-$200 range but Im a bit overwhelmed with the info.

Can anyone give me best bang for the buck option?

[Stoopy]

I just got one from Costco. It's a hp photosmart 7515 IIRC. It took about 15 minutes to unbox and setup and works great. I wanted one I could print from my iPhone and it was easy. I'm not great with computers but it was easy to set up. It cost $130 so not to exspensive.

[6172crew]

Thanks I will look into it, I forgot to add I have a mix or vista, OSX, ipad, android, etc in my house.

[paul0660]

We got a canon 4350 last year, laser flat top multifunction. It was about $150 from Staples on sale. Setup was about 1000% easier than the HP's I have had. We get toner off ebay for about $20 per, works fine.

Don't know about the wireless part. We have a comp dedicated to the printer and wired.

[ibanezfoo]

I deal with a LOT of printers at work. I 'effing hate them. I can tell you, do not buy an inkjet. It will cost you a fortune to keep and use it. Buy laser. Also, avoid Brother printers if you can. Those things are generally crap. They seem like a nice deal but they aren't. I'd stick with hp but even they have some problems. If you can afford something like Kyocera they are modular and user serviceable and good for like 200,000 clicks between service.

[smird]

Double check what your supplies will cost you, before you buy. Sometimes they near give away the printer for free, only to rape you on the consumables.

[rplusplus]

I got the cheap canon Pixma MX410... Almost free with the rebate... wifi/USB with sheet feed scanner and fax... flawless for me, my gf printed out here entire last year of college and I've printed out targets and photos on it. Can't beat it for Home Use.

In one year I've replaced the color x2 and black X1 @ $40.00 for the twin pack of large inks.

[Stoopy]

Thanks I will look into it, I forgot to add I have a mix or vista, OSX, ipad, android, etc in my house.

The hp 7510 series printer comes with an email setup so anything that can email can wirelessly print. It's not a laser printer but you can get the ink at costco.

[rneptune]

I recently picked up an Epson Workforce 520. I got mine on sale at Best Buy for 99 bucks.

Pros:
Wireless and Ethernet networking
Multicartridge design - only replace colors as they run out - saves you money
Cheap Replacement Ink
Fast Print Speeds
Looks Nice
Lots of features for the price
Relatively Quiet
Very nice scanner, better than most integrated scanners in this price range.
Easy to Use - Take that with a grain of salt as I am an IT professional, easy for me may not be easy for you, however my Wife has had no problems with it.

Cons:
Slightly limited paper tray capacity
Comes with 'starter ink' basically small cartridges so you will have to buy new ink fairly soon

[den888]

Bought an HP Photosmart Plus 2 years ago. The printer itself is decent, but flimsy.

The big drawback is that the drivers for Windows 7 do not work, they sometimes do not "see" the printer. My Vista, and XP machines work well with it.

[sholling]

[freonr22]

Make sure the iPad is compatible. A couple of months ago, it was only hp...maybe that's all changed now, otherwise, you have to email it to another device and print from that

[JoeJinKY]

Before I buy a printer (and I have purchased MANY printers over the past few years) I check on two sites.

For color laser printers I make sure I can get supplies from

Toner Refill Kits

I just bought two HP 1525 Color Laser Printers. I checked the site and sure enough, they offer the toner refill kits with the reset chips included with each bottle. This is WAY less expensive to print this way.

For ink jet printers I make sure the CIS system is available for it.

Continuous Ink System

My three Epsons have the CIS system. Rather than paying $34 for 19ml. of ink, I pay $59.00 for 550 ml. Their "head" replaces the ink cartridges in your printer. Check to make sure they OFFER a CIS system for the printer you want to buy. Now that I have this system, I am literally more concerned about PAPER costs than INK costs. I print out bank statements and such, and pile them up to use as "seconds" so I can print something else on the backside of the page. it cuts the paper costs in half. Check out their large size refill bottles!

[6172crew]

Some good info in here, thanks gents. I really need the scanner bed and possibly software for pictures but I can see that inkjet or laser jet are made for different types of jobs. I'm going to look at best buy and Costco today even though I normally only buy from newegg.

Thanks for the tips!

[Frozenguy]

Epson Artisan 725.

It is phenomenal. I'm pretty sure Staples still has it for $199.

http://www.staples.com/Epson-Artisan-730-All-in-One-Printer/product_356405