Multifunction printers - need recommendation(s)

[codger]

I'm in the market for an inexpensive multifunction printer. (under $200.00) It must print (b/w & color), scan, copy. EAX is unnecessary.

Further, it should: be stingy on toner. Connect via USB cable.

Copies/minute and  resolution are not very important.

The ideal machine would have the ability to print in duplex mode. A big plus.

I've read up on these until I'm cross-eyed. Can anyone recommend something that they actually use/have used?

Thanks.

[The Gorn]

I bought my wife one of these this past Christmas:

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-MG5220-Wireless-Inkjet-4502B017/dp/B003VQR1RA



It prints, scans, and even copies in full duplex (you must turn the page being copied, but it will flip the page being printed for you.)

A nice feature is the wireless. I think you can run the printer from a USB cable, but if you have a home wireless network (a wireless router) you can eliminate one cable and you can place the printer wherever you have a power outlet.

The review comments indicated that it was moderate for ink consumption and had high user satisfaction. It feels rather flimsy so it's definitely not for commercial/office use but for light home use so far it seems fine.

A printer/scanner like this is always going to be a compromise design. It's not the world's best scanner but for most end user applications it will be fine. The printer can print correspondence (on typewriter paper) or photos (on glossy photo paper) but it will not be the best in photo printing.

If I had to set up an office outside the house and I needed a cheap printer, this would be my top pick myself.

I paid $100 or so.

[pxsant]

The fact that you mentioned toner implies that you are looking for a laser printer and not an inkjet.

I have used the Samsung line of laser printers and they are OK.  They generally have wireless capabilities and USB and are usually MAC compatible.  I have not used their multifunction laser.  The specs are at Microcenter at http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0343094.  It is well above your price point as will be the case for any laser I know of.

If you could use an inkjet multifunction unit, Epson has some excellent units.  I have the Epson 800 with a duplexer with both USB and wireless.  My total price was about $180.  Great printer.  When I buy Epsons I get them from the Epson Clearance center.   They are refurbs but come with a new warranty.  In appearance and function, you can't tell them from new at double the price.

Here is a link to an Epson 810 at $149 and a duplexer at $29.  http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/BuyEpson/ccProductCategory.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=-13262.  Below your price point and with all your wants - except for the toner  vs ink issue.

BTW, you can print directly onto printable CD's with this printer.  Very few printers on the market can do that.

[PhilFromNY]

I've been using a  Canon PIXMA MX870 since last fall when I purchased it for $129 on sale.

I settled on that particular model because of a PC World review I read that said it had the lowest cost per page of any printer in it's class. It has separate cartridges for each color and B&W so you only replace what you need. The ink cartridges that came with the machine went very quickly. The refills haven't shown any significant drop in ink level after printing roughly the same number of pages. The printer tells you the ink levels.

It does what you want. There's a difference in the ease of printing and copying duplex. For printing the paper is automatically turned while for copying you need to manually flip the page on the scanner bed. It's also wireless.

[The Gorn]

One challenge I found in evaluating printers from online product user reviews (and particularly for color laser printers) is that there is NO consistency of the reviews. Even reviews of the best rated printer will vary all over the board and a nearly five star device will often have several 1 star ratings with pointed comments that contradict the bulk of the reviews. People seem to love or hate their devices.

[Origisaurus]

I used to be a HP fan.  No more.  My latest "cheap" inkjet 3-in-1 came with a bunch of unnecessary and sucky bloatware, apparently curry-flavored.   

So that's one you can rule out.

You should keep in mind that "cheap" printers are the vehicle by which toner and ink cartridges are sold.  Remember the King Gillette principle - give away the razor, sell the blades.

[Richardk]

I've had good luck with both Canon and HP's but they are several years old, so the models probably don't exist anymore.

My choice has always been middle of the road and biased towards what's available for supplies (ink) in my area.

[Carrie Cobol]

One challenge I found in evaluating printers from online product user reviews (and particularly for color laser printers) is that there is NO consistency of the reviews. Even reviews of the best rated printer will vary all over the board and a nearly five star device will often have several 1 star ratings with pointed comments that contradict the bulk of the reviews. People seem to love or hate their devices.

I've seen this on reviews of all kinds of products.  I chalk it down to manufacturing defects.  A thousand good reviews and one complaint about a shabby product just screams "fell off the belt" kind of defect to me.  So I weigh the number of good reviews against the number of bad ones to roughly calculate the odds I'll get a good product.  Scientific...  lol   

[codger]

Thanks to all who responded.

Lotsa good info. I apologize for the laserjet/inkjet confusion. My limited budget will direct me toward inkjets. I have no wireless router so the USB cable is a necessity.

I notice that no one has suggested Kodak. Their advertising emphasizes toner economy.

Fortunately, this is not an emergency situation. I'll take the time to evaluate your suggestions.

[pxsant]

One quick note.  The Epson 810 I posted a link for apparently has built in duplexing and does not need the $29 duplexer.

[Richardk]

I've heard good things about Kodak for printing pictures but have no first hand experience. Likewise I know an artist that makes watercolor reproductions on his Epson and he's very happy.

As noted, these multifunction devices don't do everything well. It's a compromise and you have to find the right mix for yourself.

I've also spent more on the printer in order to have access to cheaper refills or at least common cartridges that are readily available but again it depends on what you're looking for.

[The Gorn]

Sounds reasonable.

I would highly recommend that you study product reviews on Amazon, and NewEgg.com. Both have a very high depth and breadth of user reviews. I went with a printer that seemed to have pretty consistent (high) end user feedback.

What I found when I looked into printers is that besides the high variability of customer opinions, the printers themselves seem to have either better quality or better ink usage and different models and different lines excel in different attributes.

It's actually fairly tough to select the "right" printer.

I do agree with Origisaurus that the software package bundle that comes with HP printers is so cumbersome that it's a major reason I did not look into HPs. They are ad and cross-sell happy.

Also, HP printers have "integrated DRM" in the print cartridges. As I understand it, the print cartridges have circuitry that actually expires and are designed to stop working. This means that refilling them is limited. What complicates the choice is that HP cartridges contain the printing nozzles, which is unique among printers, so you get fresh  nozzles with a new cartridge.

I like pxsant's suggestion about Epson. Their products are excellent. Canon and Epson are the ink jet leaders.

I think I also saw (like you suggested) that some Kodaks are reputed to be excellent with ink usage, but the user reviews of the ones I looked into were mediocre.