Best "All-in-One" Printers for home?

[Bleedred]

Our printers crapped out and we need to buy a new one for the house. Mostly kids homework (word, etc.); faxing and scanning to be used on it. It may also service my wife's event marketing business (no crazy high-end graphics needed). Does anyone have a good recommendation for one of these printers for under $250?

 

[Orange Julia]

I have a canon pixma at the office and one at home. They have been far superior to the HPs. Neither of these Fax however. Just copy, scan and print, which is all I needed.  I think canon does have a pixma that also faxes.

 

[Couperin47]

Big fan of the Canon MF models: the driver installs are simple and comprehensive, they are workhorses, aftermarket compatible carts are dirt cheap, each replacement is a combo toner/drum so when you replace it you replace all the consumables. This is the basic model, there are variations with wirerless etc. Excellent paper handling, separate multifeeder handles envelopes and labels well.
 
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YD1V6C/?tag=extension-kb-20
 
Amazon has it for $120 with free ship, it has a half filled starter cart so shop at Amazon for extra carts soon after you get it.

 

[The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa]

I have had good results with a Canon MF 4370dn, it is a laser/scanner/copier/fax with LAN and USB connections...I've had it for about 5 years, there is probably a newer version of it available (as well as a wireless network version, this one is wired LAN). Pretty fast at copying and printing, works on PC and Mac (the included software is kind of basic but functional). The OEM toner is close to 70 bucks per cartridge, but I've been using generic toner replacements via Amazon sellers and they work just as well as the OEM and are really inexpensive, about 10 bucks for a cartridge that lasts me about 1 year of light to moderate use (there are none of those frustrating chips that hold you hostage to OEM cartridge replacements).

 

[Couperin47]

I have had good results with a Canon MF 4370dn, it is a laser/scanner/copier/fax with LAN and USB connections...I've had it for about 5 years, there is probably a newer version of it available (as well as a wireless network version, this one is wired LAN). Pretty fast at copying and printing, works on PC and Mac (the included software is kind of basic but functional). The OEM toner is close to 70 bucks per cartridge, but I've been using generic toner replacements via Amazon sellers and they work just as well as the OEM and are really inexpensive, about 10 bucks for a cartridge that lasts me about 1 year of light to moderate use (there are none of those frustrating chips that hold you hostage to OEM cartridge replacements).

 
I'm still running some MF4150's that simply won't die. My post above yours is to the current bottom end model the MF 4770n

 

[Bleedred]

Any thoughts on this?:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005IIR8HM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A13LOGYZBQ9VIH

 

[Couperin47]

Any thoughts on this?:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005IIR8HM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A13LOGYZBQ9VIH

 
I live in NH, where winter indoor humidity tends to get quite low, over the last 20 years I've owned about 9 different color inkjet printers, admittedly I use color very infrequently. I have never found ANY inkjet printer that, if you don't print something at least once every 3-5 days that uses all 4 colors, does not fail to print correctly when you try to use the damn thing. Sometimes it only takes running their 'clean the heads' routine (which only uses up something between 20 and 35% of the carts), others won't stop clogging til you remove the carts and let them soak on ammonia soaked paper towels for anywhere from 10 mins to an hour. I now own a color laser for when I need to do color. Nobody else i know has ever avoided this issue except those who literally use their color inkjets virtually every day or every other day. The expenses even if they don't clog are more than an order of magnitude higher, the output is very highly dependent on the quality and type of paper and the b&w text is invariably inferior, also if you create any large block of ink on a page and are not using expensive paper, it soaks and wrinkles. I don't wish inkjets on my worst enemy.

 

[The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa]

 
I live in NH, where winter indoor humidity tends to get quite low, over the last 20 years I've owned about 9 different color inkjet printers, admittedly I use color very infrequently. I have never found ANY inkjet printer that, if you don't print something at least once every 3-5 days that uses all 4 colors, does not fail to print correctly when you try to use the damn thing. Sometimes it only takes running their 'clean the heads' routine (which only uses up something between 20 and 35% of the carts), others won't stop clogging til you remove the carts and let them soak on ammonia soaked paper towels for anywhere from 10 mins to an hour. I now own a color laser for when I need to do color. Nobody else i know has ever avoided this issue except those who literally use their color inkjets virtually every day or every other day. The expenses even if they don't clog are more than an order of magnitude higher, the output is very highly dependent on the quality and type of paper and the b&w text is invariably inferior, also if you create any large block of ink on a page and are not using expensive paper, it soaks and wrinkles. I don't wish inkjets on my worst enemy.

 
seconded. In the long run they end up being much more expensive, unreliable, inferior, and not worth the trouble. An argument can be made that a high end ink jet will produce a better color photo (under ideal circumstances, using the right paper, etc.) but that is really at the margins.
 
Just say No to Inkjets, especially if it's for a simple home printer.

 

[The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa]

 
I'm still running some MF4150's that simply won't die. My post above yours is to the current bottom end model the MF 4770n

 
Oh yes, and I forgot to mention, the one I have also does duplex printing and copying with ease. I've been running two of them for about 5 years now, virtually flawless. The only problem I ever had was self-inflicted, it was about 3 months after I bought the first one, I overworked the printer by making it print out about 200 pages straight without a break (after having printed about 500 pages earlier in the day), and that last job ended up burning out the board. But the Canon warranty covered it, I brought it to the authorized repair shop and they replaced the board, and I've had no problem ever since. I am just careful about how much volume I throw at it, I try not to print more than 50 pages straight in one job without giving it a few minutes to cool down a bit.

 

[Couperin47]

The MF4150 used the older FX9/FX 10 replacement carts. Some of the originals and compatibles have the naked toner fill plug with a simple 'do not tamper' label, others have a plastic cover over the plug, which is always still there. It takes 2 mins to remove this. The drum and other components of each engine can easily run thru 4-5 fills of toner, but after 2 refills you run the risk of filling the used toner compartment and cleaning this out is very messy, so I only refill each cart twice before I discard them. Roughly $15 per cart and $3 per refill of toner means $21 per easily 7,500 pages. The Canons have another endearing trait: any other brand of printer I know, laser or inkjet, when the printer beeps and reads "Out of toner", you are done until you replace. Not a Canon.. usually you pull the cart and shake laterally to level the toner (or you can skip this), hit the OK button and... it will continue to print... for as long as you like... generally you get at least 200 more pages before you notice you're really out of toner.

 

[Bleedred]

I'm confused (a/k/a dumb). Do these printers have color printing capability?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YD1V76

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008YD1V4Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

If I need color printing capability, what should I be looking for?

 

[Couperin47]

I'm confused (a/k/a dumb). Do these printers have color printing capability?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YD1V76

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008YD1V4Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

If I need color printing capability, what should I be looking for?

 
No and No, that's why they are named Monochrome printers. keep in mind while they only print in b&w the scanners included do produce full color output.
 
I had many small business clients who asked the same question and after years of trying various solutions, the only one that makes sense has been:
 
Buy a good quality b&w multifunction (like the one I listed up above, the 2 you just questioned are some of the variations on that same printer with extra options like wireless connect, etc. they all use the same replacement engine and output will be identical)  AND
 
Buy a separate Color Laser(like all lasers, there is nothing to dry out or clog, you can ignore it for 6 months and when you use it to print, it just DOES it...correctly). as a practical matter these days there are low end Samsung and Brother  Color lasers that routinely goes on sale for around $250 or now and then a lot less, Newegg had a one day sale on the Brother (which i listed in the Tech Bargain thread) back on March 31. Dell also has an entry level model that is sometimes on sale in that price range. Canon doesn't make a cheap entry level color laser that ever seems to go on sale. What you are looking for is a model that includes full filled toner carts because your first refill set of toners will always cost MORE than the entire printer cost you on such sales.
 
It's not a coincidence I have Dell color laser sitting in my office. I realize this solution takes up space and is somewhat inelegant, but it's the only economical one these days.

 

[Couperin47]

In case you don't follow the tech bargain thread:
 
Canon LPB6000 B&W laser printer, with Code EXLEMCYTZG98 $53 including ship til midnight PT 4/27
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828102689&
 
Basic monochrome laser printer at the lowest price we ever see, uses the Canon 125 cart which is the only replaceable (combines drum & toner).
The Canon brand of these can be had at Amazon for $14 with free ship, compatibles even cheaper so this is ultra economical to run. If you don't need a
multifunction machine, it doesn't get any cheaper than this.
 
But note at $120 on sale the base Canon MF multifunction is a far more sensible choice: much more flexibility and carts that hold almost twice the toner for only a few bucks
more.

 

[Bleedred]

Coup - buying 2 printers (a separate monochrome multifunction printer and a separate color printer) seems silly for the limited use I'll have for them at home (literally kids work for school, wife modest use, printing documents for me). There truly isn't a multifunction, wireless, laser color printer that will do the job? .

 

[Couperin47]

Coup - buying 2 printers (a separate monochrome multifunction printer and a separate color printer) seems silly for the limited use I'll have for them at home (literally kids work for school, wife modest use, printing documents for me). There truly isn't a multifunction, wireless, laser color printer that will do the job? .

 
Well right now...the low end Canon is on serious sale at Amazon for only $250 with free ship...sometime the stars do align...
 
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-imageCLASS-MF8280cw-Wireless-Multifunction/dp/B00BS6WYHC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398709295&sr=8-1&keywords=MF8280Cw
 
It even has wireless, what you lose over the next unit up is duplex printing, smaller paper capacity and some memory, otoh it's over $150 cheaper...you can see the comparison of features on that Amazon page.
Starter carts mean you pretty much must buy a full b&w toner cart immediately, you can probably get away without new color carts for a while.

 

[Bleedred]

Thanks Coup. I bought the linked to Canon printer

 

[Couperin47]

In the Tech Bargain thread the base Canon b&w multifunction is on sale for $93 delivered til 5/19.

 

[Couperin47]

See Canon D530 multifunction sale til 5/31 for $80 in Tech Bargain thread.

 

[Couperin47]

Canon Color imageCLASS MF8280Cw multifunction at Newegg til 5/21
with promo code EMCPEHW57 = $200 shipped
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828142618&

This is easily $100 lower than you can find anywhere else and is the lowest price I've ever seen this.

COLOR multifunction, with ethernet and extensive wireless connectivity, has available software to connect
to most IPhones and Androids (don't ask me who needs to do extensive printing from their phone...whatever).
All the usual good things, 50 page doc feeder, separate multifeed slot that handles envelopes & labels well.

Comes with a set of starter (half filled carts), there are 4, of course, black and 3 colors.
Genuine Canon carts will cost at least $75 each, but compatible sets of all 4 carts can be had easily for $120 or less, full carts are good for c. 1500 pages, making this quite economical too.

 

[leftfieldlegacy]

Canon Color imageCLASS MF8280Cw multifunction at Newegg til 5/21
with promo code EMCPEHW57 = $200 shipped
This is easily $100 lower than you can find anywhere else and is the lowest price I've ever seen this.

COLOR multifunction, with ethernet and extensive wireless connectivity, has available software to connect
to most IPhones and Androids (don't ask me who needs to do extensive printing from their phone...whatever).
All the usual good things, 50 page doc feeder, separate multifeed slot that handles envelopes & labels well.

Comes with a set of starter (half filled carts), there are 4, of course, black and 3 colors.
Genuine Canon carts will cost at least $75 each, but compatible sets of all 4 carts can be had easily for $120 or less, full carts are good for c. 1500 pages, making this quite economical too.
 
 

 
Bumping this from May
 
Our printer died and we decided to switch from an inkjet to a laser printer. This Canon MF8280CW seems to be a good fit for us. We need wireless and color (though not very often). Duplex would be nice but I can't justify the increased cost for that feature.
 
Does anyone have any experience with this printer? 
 
I found the 8280 on PC RUSH for ($379 list) reduced to $179 using a $200 coupon code CANON8280X2. (free shipping)
http://www.pcrush.com/product/All-in-One-Multifunction-Printers/885619/Canon-imageCLASS-MF8280CW-Laser-Multifunction-Printer-Color-Plain-Paper-Print-Desktop
This seems like a great price, but I have never dealt with PC RUSH. Does anyone has any feedback about them. 
 
FYI
Amazon currently has this for $235 with Prime,  and it's $250 from Newegg w/ free shipping. 
 

 

[Couperin47]

 
 
Bumping this from May
 
Our printer died and we decided to switch from an inkjet to a laser printer. This Canon MF8280CW seems to be a good fit for us. We need wireless and color (though not very often). Duplex would be nice but I can't justify the increased cost for that feature.
 
Does anyone have any experience with this printer? 
 
I found the 8280 on PC RUSH for ($379 list) reduced to $179 using a $200 coupon code CANON8280X2. (free shipping)
http://www.pcrush.com/product/All-in-One-Multifunction-Printers/885619/Canon-imageCLASS-MF8280CW-Laser-Multifunction-Printer-Color-Plain-Paper-Print-Desktop
This seems like a great price, but I have never dealt with PC RUSH. Does anyone has any feedback about them. 
 
FYI
Amazon currently has this for $235 with Prime,  and it's $250 from Newegg w/ free shipping. 
 
 

 
Look at their ratings here, not at all encouraging... 'mistakes' seem to be a recurring 'problem'..ie. a bait and switch tactic they engage in frequently:
 
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/PCRush

 

[leftfieldlegacy]

 
Look at their ratings here, not at all encouraging... 'mistakes' seem to be a recurring 'problem'..ie. a bait and switch tactic they engage in frequently:
 
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/PCRush

Thanks for that link Coup, glad I asked.
We are using an old inkjet without wireless as a stop gap. Hopefully, with black Friday and Cyber Monday approaching,  Newegg or Amazon will come through with a lower price soon on that Canon. 

 

[Couperin47]

Thanks for that link Coup, glad I asked.
We are using an old inkjet without wireless as a stop gap. Hopefully, with black Friday and Cyber Monday approaching,  Newegg or Amazon will come through with a lower price soon on that Canon. 

 
These days virtually all shopping for this stuff should be basically limited to Newegg, Amazon, Tiger Direct and Rakuten   nobody else ever beats their sales and these 4 can be relied upon to be legit. For Canon printers Newegg and Rakuten constantly have something on sale and generally have the best prices. Amazon is very frustrating: you have to check them constantly, sales sometimes only last hours, it's impossible to find and post their best prices here before the sale is gone and as anyone who deals with Amazon knows: search on Amazon is almost useless: any search returns 9,743 items, you can't even sort til you narrow to one of the 17 categories and then you have it 'narrowed' to 3,375 items....
 
The  best strategy I have found is add the Hover Hound add-on to your browser, then start at Newegg, the HH green icon will instantly provide current prices at Amazon and Tiger for the same item, with direct links. This only leaves Rakuten (formerly Buy.com) to be checked.
 
BTW RIGHT NOW The Canon MF-4890dw, their top of the line b&w multifunction is at Rakuten for $185 with free ship.....go for it.
http://www.rakuten.com/prod/canon-imageclass-mf4890dw-black-white-laser-multifunction-printer/238756586.html
 
also whatever you buy, get at least one  generic black toner as they are going to come with half-filled starter carts and while the color will last a while, you're likely to run thru the starter black cart in no time... best deals are on at least 3 packs and Amazon has an almost bewildering array of generic replacements for all Canon supplies at the best prices.
 
and the MF-8280Cw for $249 free ship
http://www.rakuten.com/prod/canon-imageclass-mf8280cw-wireless-multifunction-laser-printer-copy/248709918.html

 

[Couperin47]

LMAO
 
Ask and you shall receive:
 
Canon 8280Cw Color MF with promo code til  11/11   $180
 
http://promotions.newegg.com/neemail/guerrilla/LP/14-Nov/index-Blizzoihyghyt-10.html?utm_medium=Email&nm_mc=EMC-GD111014&cm_mmc=EMC-GD111014-_-index-_-Header-_-SeeAll&et_cid=12852&et_rid=213639&et_p1=

 

[leftfieldlegacy]

LMAO
 
Ask and you shall receive:
 
Canon 8280Cw Color MF with promo code til  11/11   $180
 
http://promotions.newegg.com/neemail/guerrilla/LP/14-Nov/index-Blizzoihyghyt-10.html?utm_medium=Email&nm_mc=EMC-GD111014&cm_mmc=EMC-GD111014-_-index-_-Header-_-SeeAll&et_cid=12852&et_rid=213639&et_p1=

Good things come to those that wait.
Just placed the order.
Thanks 

 

[onree]

Canon MF4890dw (b/w monochrome all-in-one, wi-fi, ADF, duplex printing and scanning) is currently $129 at Newegg.  I have one of these - great printer.

 

[LoweTek]

I have a new in the box (opened but never out of the Box) Canon Image Class MF4270. I can't use it. It's an older model but full featured B&W Multi-function, wired networking, duplex, 21 ppm, etc.
 
Looks like cartridges can be had for around $10-$12. It comes with a starter.
 
Located in the Orlando area. $75 plus shipping. Box is 21" cube, ~40 lb.
 
PM if you are interested. 
 
-LT