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Which printer?

RedTomato

RedTomato

macrumors 601
Original poster
Mar 4, 2005
4,161
444
.. London ..
I've narrowed down my printer choice, please help me pick one.

Must haves:
  • Works well with Mac OS
  • ADF (automatic document feeder / scanner)
  • Duplex printing (both sides - saves paper & filing space)
  • Wifi (don't want to bother with ethernet cables any more)
  • Small size
Nice to haves:
  • AirPrint for apple devices (never used it but might do in future)
  • Ethernet (as a backup to the wifi)
Don't need:
  • Flatbed scanner (I have an iPhone for that)

This will be home printer for a family house & home office. I deal with lots of paperwork which I often want to scan in, and the kids want to print homework and crappy memes and things. I don't print a lot, but when I need to, it's quite important - forms and stuff and maybe once a year the occasional 100 page document.

Final printer shortlist:
(Links are to UK Amazon, but same info as in USA)

Edit: BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL
I'm very tempted to go for this one as at this price it's essentially free, and a 2000 page pack of third party inks is about £50.
NON BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS
OR
Bonus:
  • HP OfficeJet 3831 - Essentially a disposable printer. High per-page costs but I don't print much. 35 page ADF. Small. Top selling printer on Amazon UK. £30 / $40
Thoughts?
 
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Hi

My thoughts will probably differ from what you might initially consider.

It depends on your volume. I am a fan of laser printers rather then ink jet ones. I don’t know what your space constraints are or your budget. I would suggest that you consider a separate scsnner and printer. I have found each part of the all-in-one units to be sub optimal, unless you are doing a very low volume. The other problem with all in one units, is that if the software stops supporting one or more functions, you are left in a precarious position.
 
Epson makes an ET (eco tank) segment of printers that must be checked out. I have the ET-2550, because my needs are not so demanding, but this thing is the best. First, it has a 4 color tank that you fill with 4 oz bottles of ink. I've never come close to running out yet. Cost is $13. That is about 1/3 the cost of replacing cartridges.

I have printed out photos on canon photo paper and they are marvelous. True to screen reproduction. Border to border if you like. Handles all sizes of paper and envelopes, up to 8.5 X 11.

One time it banded on me, from lack of use. I ran the cleaning feature and it behaved perfectly since.

Go with laser if you can. It's just the best quality and price in the long run. But if you go inkjet, look at these Epsons. I have never been more impressed.

PS: It uses AirPrint.
 
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Not sure where you've seen that HP7720, but at that price it's a no-brainer. I would imagine the footprint for an A3 printer is quite large though.

I've got the HP6970 and love it. Does all what you listed as your needs, including easy printing from iOS devices. Never had an issue with it in over 2 years of use.
 
Moakesy said:
Not sure where you've seen that HP7720, but at that price it's a no-brainer. I would imagine the footprint for an A3 printer is quite large though.

I've got the HP6970 and love it. Does all what you listed as your needs, including easy printing from iOS devices. Never had an issue with it in over 2 years of use.
Click to expand...

Sorry I forgot to include the £20 link for the HP7720 (UK shoppers only)

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/compu...-a3-inkjet-printer-with-fax-10166488-pdt.html

I don't know how long the £20 offer will last.
 
RedTomato said:
Sorry I forgot to include the £20 link for the HP7720 (UK shoppers only)

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/compu...-a3-inkjet-printer-with-fax-10166488-pdt.html

I don't know how long the £20 offer will last.
Click to expand...

With the 15% off marked price, then the £60 cash back I work that out to be £8 !!! Ridiculous bargain!!

Even if you got it and found it wasn't for you, you could sell it for more than that.

BTW, if you do go for it, I'd also recommend going for the HP Instant Ink thing if it's available. It automatically monitors your usage and posts new cartridges before you run out, all for £2 / month (so £24/year) for as many cartridges as you need. Saved a fortune using that, plus I'm never left without a new cartridge when I need it most.
 
Moakesy said:
With the 15% off marked price, then the £60 cash back I work that out to be £8 !!! Ridiculous bargain!!

Even if you got it and found it wasn't for you, you could sell it for more than that.

BTW, if you do go for it, I'd also recommend going for the HP Instant Ink thing if it's available. It automatically monitors your usage and posts new cartridges before you run out, all for £2 / month (so £24/year) for as many cartridges as you need. Saved a fortune using that, plus I'm never left without a new cartridge when I need it most.
Click to expand...

Yup I was on the fence at £20 :) but when I realised it was £8, I thought sod it I'll get it. Reviews say when it works its good but the build quality is crappy. I reckon there's about a 50% chance of it lasting to the end of the introductory ink cartridges.

I don't actually print a lot so the instant ink might not be worth it, I'll wait to see if it (the printer or the intro inks) lasts more than a couple of months.
 
Moakesy said:
With the 15% off marked price, then the £60 cash back I work that out to be £8 !!! Ridiculous bargain!!

Even if you got it and found it wasn't for you, you could sell it for more than that.

BTW, if you do go for it, I'd also recommend going for the HP Instant Ink thing if it's available. It automatically monitors your usage and posts new cartridges before you run out, all for £2 / month (so £24/year) for as many cartridges as you need. Saved a fortune using that, plus I'm never left without a new cartridge when I need it most.
Click to expand...
Sadly it seems it’s not.
 
I've had Brother printers for the past few years and they've been great. Double-sided ADF, wi-fi, colour, etc, etc and fairly cheap to run. The one time I had to use the support (scanner didn't survive a house move), Brother support were onsite the next day and replaced the faulty parts under warranty.
 
I picked up the HP 7720 a couple of days ago - £68 - haven't received the £60 rebate yet. The thing is MASSIVE, I kinda regret it each time I look at it, but I tell myself it was only £8. Hopefully I can fit it into a hidden corner somewhere.

Prints are beautiful, printers have come on a lot in the last few years. It's lovely having an ADF (not double-sided but you can't have everything for £8).

Keeps on bothering me to turn on webservices, but I read somewhere that the printer software updates that come with activating webservices will reject all third party inks, so for now I am refusing them. Is this still true?
 
RedTomato said:
I picked up the HP 7720 a couple of days ago - £68 - haven't received the £60 rebate yet. The thing is MASSIVE, I kinda regret it each time I look at it, but I tell myself it was only £8. Hopefully I can fit it into a hidden corner somewhere.

Prints are beautiful, printers have come on a lot in the last few years. It's lovely having an ADF (not double-sided but you can't have everything for £8).

Keeps on bothering me to turn on webservices, but I read somewhere that the printer software updates that come with activating webservices will reject all third party inks, so for now I am refusing them. Is this still true?
Click to expand...

A3 printers are massive....but nice to have the option.

I believe they do still reject 3rd party inks. Looks like a pack of fours inks is upwards of £55, so it's actually cheaper if you buy 6 new printers at £8 each!!! Not exactly environmentally friendly though, and just shows how ridiculous ink pricing is.

Would again mention the HP Instant Ink thing....which means you get all the ink you need for a fixed price of £24/year. You could print full colour A3 prints and not worry about the price of printing. You'll have to check if your model was compatible with the scheme though.
 
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