Choosing a laser printer and scanner (or all in one)

BroodsSexton

Member
SoSH Member
Feb 4, 2006
12,630
guam
I am looking to buy a laser printer and scanner, or laser printer/scanner combination. It's for use in a small office, and ideally I'd want to spend $500 or less, unless there's really a reason to go higher.

I've had a lot of success with the Brother laser printers in the past (this guy, for example), but I also need something that will scan documents rapidly--black and white, 8.5x11--because I do a lot of scanning. I handle a lot of paper, but scan virtually everything and file it electronically. I guess an All-in-One is probably the best bet from a price perspective, but I don't want to end up with something that sucks at two things and doesn't do one thing well. It has to work.

So talk to me--anyone have a set up they like?
 

Reggie's Racquet

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2009
7,237
Florida/Montana
I use the Brother DCP-L2540DW. Great printer. Has everything identified above.But I might also consider this one...The Brother MFCL2720DW might be more powerful for your needs. It gets good ratings.
 

derekson

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 26, 2010
6,243
I have a Canon MF8580C that I got for $300 from $600 MSRP last year. The wireless printing and scanning work great and I've had no issues with it. It also does duplex printing, which is tough to find at this price point from what I saw when I was shopping.

When Staples has printer sales you can get incredible deals. Looks like they currently have the MF7260CDW on sale at $350 from an MSRP of $550.
 

Pandemonium67

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 17, 2003
5,575
Lesterland
One of the best things I've learned from SoSH, besides finding out you should put on socks before undies, is The Wirecutter. Here's their spiel on all-in-one printers:

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-all-in-one-printer/

Personally, I've been using an Epson Workforce 845. It's been perfectly good for several years, but now the fucking thing won't print color -- probably because I stuck a cheap third-party ink cartridge in there. If it's it at all possible, find out if the printer you want to buy can use third-party inks. Otherwise, you get raked over the coals every time the ink gets low. Fuck you, Epson.
 

derekson

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 26, 2010
6,243
I don't see any purpose in buying inkjet printers in this day and age, when you can get a good laser printer with color and all-in-one scanner, etc. for ~$300. Sure, the toner carts are still expensive, but they last forever compared to inkjet cartridges. Ink jets are a complete scam in today's market.
 

Couperin47

Member
SoSH Member
I don't see any purpose in buying inkjet printers in this day and age, when you can get a good laser printer with color and all-in-one scanner, etc. for ~$300. Sure, the toner carts are still expensive, but they last forever compared to inkjet cartridges. Ink jets are a complete scam in today's market.
Exactly, the only real use for inkjets is if you are buying a high end (uses more than 4 ink colors) printer, match them with expensive specialty inkjet paper and use them to print high definition 'photo quality' prints. Even then, unless you use them almost all the time, you will waste most of the ridiculously expensive ink trying to unclog the damn thing.
 

geoduck no quahog

not particularly consistent
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Nov 8, 2002
13,024
Seattle, WA
I use the Brother DCP-L2540DW. Great printer. Has everything identified above.But I might also consider this one...The Brother MFCL2720DW might be more powerful for your needs. It gets good ratings.
I can second a recommendation of the DCP-L2540DW.
- fast
- 2 sided printing
- document feeder
- networked
- had it a while now and no issues

Looks like around $130.