Printer suggestions

[sdilley14]

I'm looking for suggestions for a printer. All I need is something to print in black and white. I won't be printing any pictures, just text documents. It doesn't need to be a "high speed" printer or anything like that. I haven't looked at printers or even owned one in several years, so I'm not really sure what's "good" and what isn't. I just need something kind of basic that isn't too harsh on ink usage.

Thanks!

 

[aicul]

Tou'll notice that bubble/ink-jet printers sre on the decline and that laser printers seemto be the next thing

Personally have not moved to laserandamwsiting for my ink-jet todie

 

[Robisan]

I can recommend this HP LaserJet Pro M127fw Wireless Monochrome Printer for $179 (there's a cheaper version without wireless for $129 currently out of stock). It supports HP ePrint (for Android) and Apple AirPrint. I paid $149 for it at B&H but it appears they've raised the price. You can check the Internets for availability and pricing elsewhere, but generally B&H is pretty competitive. Overall, a good sub-$200 AIO laser with a robust feature set.

 

[Altemose]

I highly recommend Brother laser printers if your needs are strictly black & white. Best Buy had a deal going for the lowest end printer for $59.99 not too long ago. They make some great printers and I am sure you will be happy with any of them.

 

[sdilley14]

Thank you for the suggestions!

Wireless would be a nice touch. Printing from my iPhone would be handy. Looking to keep it around $100 or less. Scanning functionality would also be good. If I'm spending the money, might as well get something with a little functionality.

Edit: Something like this a decent printer at a fair price?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MFG57ZK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[Robisan]

If you don't need fax that Brother for $109 looks like a great deal. You could probably find a slightly cheaper printer-only laser, but IMO copy and scanning ability with a document feeder is worth paying a bit more.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I highly recommend Brother laser printers if your needs are strictly black & white. Best Buy had a deal going for the lowest end printer for $59.99 not too long ago. They make some great printers and I am sure you will be happy with any of them.

Some years ago, I had an old Dell (the classic 1100) which was excellent and utterly reliable, an Epson which wasn't as good (it was slower), and my current printer, which is a Brother HL-2240 and which is excellent.

All were laser printers with a small footprint; and all did nothing but print in black and white, which is what my requirements were.

 

[sdilley14]

If you don't need fax that Brother for $109 looks like a great deal. You could probably find a slightly cheaper printer-only laser, but IMO copy and scanning ability with a document feeder is worth paying a bit more.

Damn, I should have jumped on that one right away. The $109 option is gone. Now I can't find it for less than $150 anywhere. Guess I'll just hold off and keep an eye out and hope another seller comes along with that type of price.

 

[glenthompson]

I'm looking for suggestions for a printer. All I need is something to print in black and white. I won't be printing any pictures, just text documents. It doesn't need to be a "high speed" printer or anything like that. I haven't looked at printers or even owned one in several years, so I'm not really sure what's "good" and what isn't. I just need something kind of basic that isn't too harsh on ink usage.

Thanks!

I prefer lasers for occasional use as the toner doesn't dry out. Currently using a HP 1102w while traveling in RV. Selected it for small size and wireless capability. I can also get toner pretty much anywhere. Mainly used for text and B&W line graphics. Paid $140 for it about 2 years ago. I don't need one with a scanner as I have a ScanSnap. I was more concerned about size.

 

[jwjsr]

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-cheap-printer/

 

[iMac5,1User]

I think to go with a recommended printer from Apple or get a used HP Photosmart 7525 which hooked up fine to my Mac using wireless

 

[OldMike]

I know this printer probably would do more than you need - but if you are going to be spending around $100 I would definitely recommend considering the Epson Workforce 3640. I usually quickly learn to hate printers - but this printer has far exceeded my expectations.

http://www.amazon.com/Epson-WorkForce-WF-3640-Wireless-Printer/dp/B00JXLGEUC/

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/Product.do?sku=C11CD16201

The quality is excellent and very close to laser quality. The nice thing about this printer is that it is much cheaper to run than other inkjets I have had, especially if you get the high capacity ink cartridges. I also like that fact that it can hold a full ream of paper. Here are some of the features (as listed by the manufacturer):

Wireless and Wi-Fi Direct — print from iPad, iPhone, tablets and smartphones
Auto 2-sided print, copy, scan and fax — includes 35-page 2-sided Automatic Document Feeder
Easy navigation and control — intuitive 3.5" color touchscreen
Print-shop quality — print documents and graphics in high resolution with precise color placement
Save on ink — up to 40 percent lower printing cost vs. color laser
Fast printing — professional-quality prints at speeds of 19 ISO ppm (black) and 10 ISO ppm (color)
Extremely durable prints — smudge, fade and water resistant prints
Laser-sharp black and color text — crisp fonts and precise lines on plain paper

We have iPhones, Chromebooks, Macs, and Android devices - and they all easily connect to this printer. The setup was extremely easy and I couldn't be happier with it.

 

[sdilley14]

I know this printer probably would do more than you need - but if you are going to be spending around $100 I would definitely recommend considering the Epson Workforce 3640. I usually quickly learn to hate printers - but this printer has far exceeded my expectations.

http://www.amazon.com/Epson-WorkForce-WF-3640-Wireless-Printer/dp/B00JXLGEUC/

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/Product.do?sku=C11CD16201

The quality is excellent and very close to laser quality. The nice thing about this printer is that it is much cheaper to run than other inkjets I have had, especially if you get the high capacity ink cartridges. I also like that fact that it can hold a full ream of paper. Here are some of the features (as listed by the manufacturer):

Wireless and Wi-Fi Direct — print from iPad, iPhone, tablets and smartphones
Auto 2-sided print, copy, scan and fax — includes 35-page 2-sided Automatic Document Feeder
Easy navigation and control — intuitive 3.5" color touchscreen
Print-shop quality — print documents and graphics in high resolution with precise color placement
Save on ink — up to 40 percent lower printing cost vs. color laser
Fast printing — professional-quality prints at speeds of 19 ISO ppm (black) and 10 ISO ppm (color)
Extremely durable prints — smudge, fade and water resistant prints
Laser-sharp black and color text — crisp fonts and precise lines on plain paper

We have iPhones, Chromebooks, Macs, and Android devices - and they all easily connect to this printer. The setup was extremely easy and I couldn't be happier with it.

Nice. I put that one on my "watch" list. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Badrottie]

Tou'll notice that bubble/ink-jet printers sre on the decline and that laser printers seemto be the next thing

Personally have not moved to laserandamwsiting for my ink-jet todie

Really? But laser printer is very expensive and toner price is not a joke. I am not ready for laser.

 

[Pndrgnsvc]

I too have a 3640

I know this printer probably would do more than you need - but if you are going to be spending around $100 I would definitely recommend considering the Epson Workforce 3640. I usually quickly learn to hate printers - but this printer has far exceeded my expectations.

http://www.amazon.com/Epson-WorkForce-WF-3640-Wireless-Printer/dp/B00JXLGEUC/

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/Product.do?sku=C11CD16201

The quality is excellent and very close to laser quality. The nice thing about this printer is that it is much cheaper to run than other inkjets I have had, especially if you get the high capacity ink cartridges. I also like that fact that it can hold a full ream of paper. Here are some of the features (as listed by the manufacturer):

Wireless and Wi-Fi Direct — print from iPad, iPhone, tablets and smartphones
Auto 2-sided print, copy, scan and fax — includes 35-page 2-sided Automatic Document Feeder
Easy navigation and control — intuitive 3.5" color touchscreen
Print-shop quality — print documents and graphics in high resolution with precise color placement
Save on ink — up to 40 percent lower printing cost vs. color laser
Fast printing — professional-quality prints at speeds of 19 ISO ppm (black) and 10 ISO ppm (color)
Extremely durable prints — smudge, fade and water resistant prints
Laser-sharp black and color text — crisp fonts and precise lines on plain paper

We have iPhones, Chromebooks, Macs, and Android devices - and they all easily connect to this printer. The setup was extremely easy and I couldn't be happier with it.

OldMike said it better than moi. My 3640 is the best ever. A perfect blend of cost, quality, features, IU, and even tech support.

FWIW, included with the 3640 is an abbreviated Quick Start Up Guide (which is fine enough) But if you seek the full User Manual, that must be downloaded.

 

[sdilley14]

OldMike said it better than moi. My 3640 is the best ever. A perfect blend of cost, quality, features, IU, and even tech support.

FWIW, included with the 3640 is an abbreviated Quick Start Up Guide (which is fine enough) But if you seek the full User Manual, that must be downloaded.

What are the pros/cons with getting something like this as opposed to a similarly priced laser printer?

FWIW I don't plan on doing any "high volume" printing. A few documents here and there, 5-10 pages at a time maybe.

 

[OldMike]

I can't necessarily answer you about the pros and cons. I think that Brother laser printer would work well for you also, I just don't have experience with it to know how well it works. With the brother high yield cartridges vs the Epson high yield XL cartridges - your printing costs would be slightly lower as well. With low volume printing the cost difference would be insignificant.

I will say that the Epson 3640 has more features, prints as nice as any laser printer that I have owned, and gives us the flexibility to be able to print in color when we need to. I also am amazed at how resistant to jamming the 3640 is. My wife has fed thick card stock through it - that I was sure would jam it - I even told her not to try. Of course she proved me wrong when the 3640 was able to handle being fed from the lower tray without any issue!

I'm not trying to sway you in either direction - its just that I have owned many printers over the years - and almost all of them have been somewhat underwhelming. The Epson WF3640 is the first printer that I can say I truly love. The little attentions to detail, like double sided automatic document scanning, providing a nice web interface for administration, easy to use color touch display, and being able to create its own wifi network when there is none available impress me as well.

 

[jamesollor]

I recommend to You have need how many prints you get in a day. You can printer analysis of market as per your budget .i suggest laser (black & white)printer is best for printing. laser printer works speedily and give good quality of printing. in my we have use laser printer that we are member use this printer in wi-fi mode that's work very fast and give quick printing so that i love my printer. Many types laser printer available in market like Espon,HP,canon etc

 

[troy14]

What are the pros/cons with getting something like this as opposed to a similarly priced laser printer?

FWIW I don't plan on doing any "high volume" printing. A few documents here and there, 5-10 pages at a time maybe.

I recommend a laser printer. I have the 3640, and bought my sister a Brother 2340DW.

Laser printers produce much sharper text (the 3640 is as good as inkjet gets, but laser is still that much better). Laser printers use toner which usually results in a much cheaper cost per page.

Inkjet printers (IE the 3640) require ink cartridges, which have the potential to clog the print head requiring head cleanings (which waste ink) or your text may not be 100% capable of what the printer is putting out. Especially if you let the printer sit for periods of time without printing anything. Also, through the cycles of use, your CYM cartridges (cyan, magenta, yellow) will still be used. If you want to print something in black and white only and even a Cyan cartridge is out, it won't let you continue. Similarly with scanning. copying, etc. Your printer is kaput until you replace the cartridge.

I highly recommend this printer : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LZS5EEI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If your needs are as basic as you say, (literally only black/white, but has WiFi as well). Works perfect for my sister in college. Anything color (very rare) she can print at school, print shop, etc. In over a year she's had to do it once.

The 3640 is a home office / business printer, your stated needs aren't anywhere near that. Get the Brother laser and have quick, efficient, excellent b/w prints at all times with no muss or fuss. If you need the features of the 3640, then by all means, but you explicitly stated you don't need those features.

 

[sdilley14]

I recommend a laser printer. I have the 3640, and bought my sister a Brother 2340DW.

Laser printers produce much sharper text (the 3640 is as good as inkjet gets, but laser is still that much better). Laser printers use toner which usually results in a much cheaper cost per page.

Inkjet printers (IE the 3640) require ink cartridges, which have the potential to clog the print head requiring head cleanings (which waste ink) or your text may not be 100% capable of what the printer is putting out. Especially if you let the printer sit for periods of time without printing anything. Also, through the cycles of use, your CYM cartridges (cyan, magenta, yellow) will still be used. If you want to print something in black and white only and even a Cyan cartridge is out, it won't let you continue. Similarly with scanning. copying, etc. Your printer is kaput until you replace the cartridge.

I highly recommend this printer : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LZS5EEI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If your needs are as basic as you say, (literally only black/white, but has WiFi as well). Works perfect for my sister in college. Anything color (very rare) she can print at school, print shop, etc. In over a year she's had to do it once.

The 3640 is a home office / business printer, your stated needs aren't anywhere near that. Get the Brother laser and have quick, efficient, excellent b/w prints at all times with no muss or fuss. If you need the features of the 3640, then by all means, but you explicitly stated you don't need those features.

This is the exact printer I'm leaning towards. Laser, wifi, good reviews, under $100. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[kschendel]

+1 for the Brother laser. My wife had one at her desk for 3 or 4 years, for admin use with an erratic duty cycle. She would print practically nonstop for a few days then it would sit idle for a week. The thing just worked, never a problem (unlike inkjets!).

I'm not so impressed by the current crop of Brother color lasers, but the monochrome printers are very excellent light/medium duty buys IMHO.