Despite trying to find previous posts on this topic it was difficult
to tap into anything recent. If I'm beating a dead horse please be so
kind as to redirect me to the appropriate thread.
We need a multi-function printer. We want to print, scan, fax and
copy. I will be using a MacBook Pro, my husband has a Dell PC. That
means, I assume, that we need a printer that can network....right??
We are not super heavy printer people - we do some photos now and then
and will print documents as needed, but while I do some work at home
over the summer, neither of us rely on our computers or printers much
for work related (and therefore printer heavy) tasks. That said,
however, we would like a quality machine.
For the next few days I can take advantage of a $100 rebate through
Apple, so it would be convenient to select a printer that they carry -
this includes a number of HP and Canon models. However, while it
would be nice to know we saved some money, I would be more comfortable
knowing we'd chosen a better printer over the savings.
That's a hard call, however I will give you 3 reasons on why you
should consider Kodak, Canon, and HP. If I had to buy a new
mulitfunction printer, the main thing I will consider is..."How much
money will I spend on the ink in the future?"
Kodak - When you run out of ink and need to buy new ink, you can
actually buy OEM ink from Kodak that is much cheaper then Canon and
HP. Kodak OEM ink is only $21.99 for a 2 pack, black and white, and
tri-color. That is 50% cheaper then Canon and HP ink that is OEM.
READ THIS LINK... http://groups.google.com/group/comp....25cd92272ded14
HP- If you want to save more money, and plan to refill your ink
cartridges by yourself, then there's a company call Dataproducts that
makes a excellent, easy to use refill cartridge. However, this
product is only made for certain HP models. (Note that a new 2 pack
OEM cartridge from HP could run you $50.00.)
READ THIS LINK... http://groups.google.com/group/comp....45e78eec187f78
CANON- If you want to save the most money on refilling your ink
cartridges, then Canon appears to be the way to go. I know of 2 ink
brand formulators that you should look for when buying the refill kit:
Image Specialist and Formulabs. If you want places to buy this ink
from, just ask me again and somebody will post it.
mairysnshine@yahoo.com wrote:
> Despite trying to find previous posts on this topic it was difficult
> to tap into anything recent. If I'm beating a dead horse please be so
> kind as to redirect me to the appropriate thread.
>
> We need a multi-function printer. We want to print, scan, fax and
> copy. I will be using a MacBook Pro, my husband has a Dell PC. That
> means, I assume, that we need a printer that can network....right??
>
Networking a MFP takes away a primary function. The scanner as to be
next to the person who is going to operate it so the machine can really
be next to one computer. You can only remotely share the fax and printer.
A disadvantage of MFP is you cannot get best of breed. I think that
Canon makes the best printer and Epson the best scanner. And if you are
after the best business text quality adn do not care about photos then
HP might be a way to go.
There are two main reasons to consider a MFP. Space is the primary
consideration and you need an inexpensive Auto Document Feeder. ADF.
That said look at the Canon models above the 700 series.
> We are not super heavy printer people - we do some photos now and then
> and will print documents as needed, but while I do some work at home
> over the summer, neither of us rely on our computers or printers much
> for work related (and therefore printer heavy) tasks. That said,
> however, we would like a quality machine.
>
> For the next few days I can take advantage of a $100 rebate through
> Apple, so it would be convenient to select a printer that they carry -
> this includes a number of HP and Canon models. However, while it
> would be nice to know we saved some money, I would be more comfortable
> knowing we'd chosen a better printer over the savings.
>
> Input? Suggestions? THANK YOU!
>
>
theory4debate@gmail.com wrote:
> mairysnsh,
>
> That's a hard call, however I will give you 3 reasons on why you
> should consider Kodak, Canon, and HP. If I had to buy a new
> mulitfunction printer, the main thing I will consider is..."How much
> money will I spend on the ink in the future?"
>
> Kodak - When you run out of ink and need to buy new ink, you can
> actually buy OEM ink from Kodak that is much cheaper then Canon and
> HP. Kodak OEM ink is only $21.99 for a 2 pack, black and white, and
> tri-color. That is 50% cheaper then Canon and HP ink that is OEM.
> READ THIS LINK...
>
When one color runs out you need to throw the remaining in away.
> http://groups.google.com/group/comp....25cd92272ded14
>
> HP- If you want to save more money, and plan to refill your ink
> cartridges by yourself, then there's a company call Dataproducts that
> makes a excellent, easy to use refill cartridge. However, this
> product is only made for certain HP models. (Note that a new 2 pack
> OEM cartridge from HP could run you $50.00.)
> READ THIS LINK...
> http://groups.google.com/group/comp....45e78eec187f78
>
> CANON- If you want to save the most money on refilling your ink
> cartridges, then Canon appears to be the way to go. I know of 2 ink
> brand formulators that you should look for when buying the refill kit:
> Image Specialist and Formulabs. If you want places to buy this ink
> from, just ask me again and somebody will post it.
>
They said they do not print much. Therefore they will not save much by
refilling and having the mess.
> Stan
>
>
We will probably not go the refillable route -- while it would be nice
to save a little money, we are probably going to stick with the
convenience of purchasing new cartridges as needed.
Also, while it would be nice to have the best machine for each
function, we're more interested in space-saving and just streamlining
all of the functions at one site. As mentioned before, we're more
interested in the convenience of having those capabilities available
to us when we need them than we are in producing the most impeccable
products, if that makes sense.
We will probably not go in the direction of refilling our own
cartridges -- despite the cost benefit we'll probably aim more for the
convenience of purchasing new cartridges as needed.
Also, we are considering most the convenience and space needs of the
printer. For that reason we're most interested in an all-in-one unit.
It's more important to have those functions available to us as needed
rather than to produce the most impeccable product in either category,
if that makes sense.
Now, if I might ask --- what is the significance of having a unit that
can network? I understand that we might lose the function of the
scanner, lets say, to one of the computers.... but is having
networking capabilities critical if we want to use to computers (one
Mac, one PC) on the same printer unit? If everything is sitting on
the same desk, what would be the best configuration? (I ask because
the printers I am probably most interested in, the Canon Pixma MP530
OR MP830 don't have built in networking!)
I'm having a hard time finding reviews of the Kodak printers.
AllegraMStein@gmail.com wrote:
> Thanks for everyone's input so far.
>
> We will probably not go the refillable route -- while it would be nice
> to save a little money, we are probably going to stick with the
> convenience of purchasing new cartridges as needed.
>
> Also, while it would be nice to have the best machine for each
> function, we're more interested in space-saving and just streamlining
> all of the functions at one site. As mentioned before, we're more
> interested in the convenience of having those capabilities available
> to us when we need them than we are in producing the most impeccable
> products, if that makes sense.
>
In that case the Canon MFP that can also do faxes with an ADF (Automatic
Document Feeder) would be the best bet. It is the best photo printer,
an OK text and business printer, and an OK scanner. A fax is a fax.
mairysnshine@yahoo.com wrote:
> Thanks so far for everyone's input.
>
> We will probably not go in the direction of refilling our own
> cartridges -- despite the cost benefit we'll probably aim more for the
> convenience of purchasing new cartridges as needed.
>
> Also, we are considering most the convenience and space needs of the
> printer. For that reason we're most interested in an all-in-one unit.
> It's more important to have those functions available to us as needed
> rather than to produce the most impeccable product in either category,
> if that makes sense.
>
> Now, if I might ask --- what is the significance of having a unit that
> can network? I understand that we might lose the function of the
> scanner, lets say, to one of the computers.... but is having
> networking capabilities critical if we want to use to computers (one
> Mac, one PC) on the same printer unit? If everything is sitting on
> the same desk, what would be the best configuration? (I ask because
> the printers I am probably most interested in, the Canon Pixma MP530
> OR MP830 don't have built in networking!)
>
The Canon MP830 is the best bet and you can network them despite the
printer itself not having networking built in. Just attach via USB to
the Windows computer and share the printer over a peer to peer ethernet
network. You can also use a router and that would be good if you also
have a DSL or Cable modem. You can then access the unit from either
machine.
> I'm having a hard time finding reviews of the Kodak printers.
>
>
In article <1183386233.747012.205610@d30g2000prg.googlegroups .com>, mairysnshine@yahoo.com wrote:
> We need a multi-function printer. We want to print, scan, fax and
> copy. I will be using a MacBook Pro, my husband has a Dell PC. That
> means, I assume, that we need a printer that can network....right??
That is your best bet, yes.
> We are not super heavy printer people - we do some photos now and then
> and will print documents as needed, but while I do some work at home
> over the summer, neither of us rely on our computers or printers much
> for work related (and therefore printer heavy) tasks. That said,
> however, we would like a quality machine.
>
> For the next few days I can take advantage of a $100 rebate through
> Apple, so it would be convenient to select a printer that they carry -
> this includes a number of HP and Canon models.
Need guidance - multifunction printers 
Linear Mode
