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Message
Recommend an inkjet all in one printer
Posted on 2/20/23 at 7:23 pm
Posted on 2/20/23 at 7:23 pm
Need to print, copy, and scan 

Posted on 2/20/23 at 7:53 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
I have had inkjet all in ones in the past, and I strongly recommend against getting one. They're cheaper on the front end (than laser), but more costly on the back end. And they tend to break more easily.
Do you need color printing? How often do you intend to make use of the printer?
Do you need color printing? How often do you intend to make use of the printer?
Posted on 2/20/23 at 8:09 pm to Ricardo
quote:
Do you need color printing? How often do you intend to make use of the printer?
Occasionally, not everyday
Posted on 2/20/23 at 8:15 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
quote:
Recommend an inkjet all in one printer
Can't do it. Will never recommend and inkjet
Posted on 2/20/23 at 8:17 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
Posted on 2/20/23 at 9:25 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
Epson eco tank 3850
Posted on 2/20/23 at 9:34 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
Posted on 2/20/23 at 9:46 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
I've had an Epson for years.
No problems, works great!
No problems, works great!
Posted on 2/21/23 at 12:31 am to Ricardo
I have HP OfficeJet 5258 inkjet, and I am happy with it for personal use. HP likes to stick it to you with expensive inkjet cartridges at $20+ each for the 4 colors, which all need replacing every year ($80+) but HP InstaInk program has been a big change for me. For $3 per month ($36 per year) I get the cartridge refills when I need automatically via their online printer-connected monitoring of ink levels.
HP Insta Ink offers you a monthly plan based on how many pages you print, not how much ink you use. Sometimes I exceed my limit at the $3 per month plan and get bumped up to the $4 per month plan ($48 per year if I stay at that level -- which is way more than I need).
I looked at laser printers a few years ago while frustrated at inkjet cartridge prices, and saw that the 4 laser color replacement toners were $100 each ($400 total every time you needed a refill) and could not possibly see the value in that.
Perhaps someone has a different experience to share.
HP Insta Ink offers you a monthly plan based on how many pages you print, not how much ink you use. Sometimes I exceed my limit at the $3 per month plan and get bumped up to the $4 per month plan ($48 per year if I stay at that level -- which is way more than I need).
I looked at laser printers a few years ago while frustrated at inkjet cartridge prices, and saw that the 4 laser color replacement toners were $100 each ($400 total every time you needed a refill) and could not possibly see the value in that.
Perhaps someone has a different experience to share.
Posted on 2/21/23 at 6:29 am to Major Dutch Schaefer
I've had an Epson WF-3540 for almost 10 years and it's been solid. I use the print, scan and copy functions the most.
Posted on 2/21/23 at 9:30 am to Major Dutch Schaefer
I've had all the major brands at one time or another. I agree, they'll just about give away the device to get you hooked on the ink. I tried the home refill kits as well as refill services and the ink just isn't the same. All that said, here's what I recommend:
Get one that will allow you to keep printing even if one color is empty. Nothing worse than having the device refuse to print your B/W text document because magenta is empty.
If you're narrowing down to 2 or 3 models, check the comparable cartridge costs. I was looking at two different Epsons and one had a couple interesting, but not required, features but the cartridge cost was literally 50% more than the next model down the line.
YMMV, but I've been happy with Epson Workforce models more than I was with HP, Canon, or Brother.
Maybe this is much more common now than it was last time I bought one, but WiFi network addressable is a must.
I also agree with Laser depending on your needs because it won't bleed when wet like inkjet and has a crisper more professional looking output. Any time I need that level of output I just go to the library and print on their laser for free though.
Get one that will allow you to keep printing even if one color is empty. Nothing worse than having the device refuse to print your B/W text document because magenta is empty.
If you're narrowing down to 2 or 3 models, check the comparable cartridge costs. I was looking at two different Epsons and one had a couple interesting, but not required, features but the cartridge cost was literally 50% more than the next model down the line.
YMMV, but I've been happy with Epson Workforce models more than I was with HP, Canon, or Brother.
Maybe this is much more common now than it was last time I bought one, but WiFi network addressable is a must.
I also agree with Laser depending on your needs because it won't bleed when wet like inkjet and has a crisper more professional looking output. Any time I need that level of output I just go to the library and print on their laser for free though.
This post was edited on 2/21/23 at 9:33 am
Posted on 2/21/23 at 10:05 am to Beardlington
One advantage of laser that I've noticed is that if you don't make frequent use of a laser printer, it has no bearing on the quality of the next printed page. Whereas, with inkjet, I found the printer needs to be used - else the cartridges either dry up or require wasted pages to get consistent quality.
Posted on 2/21/23 at 10:19 am to Ricardo
quote:
One advantage of laser that I've noticed is that if you don't make frequent use of a laser printer, it has no bearing on the quality of the next printed page. Whereas, with inkjet, I found the printer needs to be used - else the cartridges either dry up or require wasted pages to get consistent quality.
Yep. We don't print frequently so after several years with an inkjet we wasted far more ink than we printed. Hundreds of dollars down the drain. Got a brother color laser and couldn't be happier. The only negative to laser is photo prints aren't as good, but honestly they probably come out better than most people might expect and how often are people printing photos anyway? I can't imagine owning another inkjet for the rest of my life.
Posted on 2/21/23 at 4:59 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
Brother Laser Multifunction
Refurbished, I got it for $160. I will need to replace the toner in probably two years.
Refurbished, I got it for $160. I will need to replace the toner in probably two years.
Posted on 2/23/23 at 7:33 am to Major Dutch Schaefer
quote:
Recommend an inkjet
Did you know inkjet cartridges deplete even when you aren't using them? Spend the extra money and buy a Brother laser.
Inkjet sucks a peter.
Posted on 2/23/23 at 8:18 am to Major Dutch Schaefer
This is hands down the best printer I've ever purchased. A little pricey on the front end but I've saved money 10x over in ink costs.
HP Smart Tank Plus
HP Smart Tank Plus
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