# Recommend me a multi-function color printer **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 21, 2013, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530 "2013-03-21T12:34:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Composer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@The\_Composer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Composer)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/1 "2013-03-21T12:34:43Z")
I’m looking to purchase a new “all-in-one” color printer, so I thought I’d ask all of you for opinions and suggestions. I need all the functions: print, scan, copy, and fax, plus wireless and networking capabilities. If I can find a reliable laser at a decent price, I’d go with that over inkjet. I’m looking to stay at or below $300. Speaking of price, I’d also like to hear experiences on purchasing replacement toner for laser printers. I’ve owned only inkjet in the past, so I’m familiar with cost and longevity, etc., with those. Lastly, if you know of printers (or brands) I should avoid, I’d like to know that, too. So far, I’ve looked at these printers: Laser: Dell C1765nfw ($299) Inkjet: Dell V725w ($129.99) Laser: HP LaserJet Pro 200 color MFP M276nw ($449.99 - this is above my price range, but I was using it for comparison) Inkjet: HP Officejet Pro 8600 Premium e-All-in-One - N911n ($299.99) So, tell me your experiences, both good and bad. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/2 "2013-03-21T15:15:35Z")
I just bought the HP 8600 (not premium - only 250 sheet feed) a couple weeks ago. It doesn’t suck. I haven’t used it like a workhorse but I’ve already faxed, scanned and printed color and b&w and it’s fine. I hooked it up to my wireless network but it’s connected via USB to an always-on computer so I don’t really need it on my wireless network. I think it prints and scans very fast compared to my 5000-series HP all-in-one that it replaced, but it does take a relatively long time to initialize. But, [drachillix has a problem](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=684863) with HP inkjets and he’s a dude who fixes them. I’m just a person who lightly uses them. So take my advice with a grain of salt. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/3 "2013-03-21T15:29:12Z")
Note: I don’t own this printer, and I haven’t even seen one in person, but after some recent cursory comparison shopping, I think I’d go for the [Brother BusinessSmart line](http://www.pcworld.com/article/2014422/review-brother-business-smart-mfc-j4510dw-printer.html). Lots of cool features - namely the ability to print on 11x17 - for a very reasonable price, both up-front and on the ink. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/4 "2013-03-21T15:52:38Z")
For my next printer I want duplexing. You might want to consider that too. ---
**Author:** ![HipGnosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/76d3ee/32.png) [@HipGnosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HipGnosis)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/5 "2013-03-21T16:10:22Z")
I buy and maintain the printers, faxes & copiers where I work - about 60 of them. I only by Brother laser MFC’s for (small) copiers and faxes. I also buy Brother (small) laser printers. Best bang for the buck. Brother doesn’t make a new toner # for every new printer model. Becasue of that, I’m more likely to find after-market toners for them. I use to get RhinoTek (and really liked them) but my vendor recently switched to Print Logic (which seems good). The only snag is that they do not have any repair techs to send out. A bad printer has to be taken in or shipped. I’ve only taken 2 in over the last 8-9 yrs, but if they’re to old and break, I just replace them. Also know; WiFi printers are a known security risk. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/6 "2013-03-21T16:34:03Z")
I have a [HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus](http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Printers/HP-Officejet-Pro/CM750A) (e-All-in-One Printer - N911g). This was highly recommended by a clerk at Office Depot, over a very similar HP model (the 8600, not Plus, as I recall). I’ve been very happy with it. The ink seems to be lasting quite a while, noticeably longer than with the Brother MFC-210C I had previously (the Brother was cheaper to buy but more expensive to use). It is also a _ **LOT** _ faster than the Brother. Lists for 300, [Amazon shows it for under 200](http://www.amazon.com/HP-Officejet-Wireless-Printer-Scanner/dp/B005O55U2Y). The sites I’ve linked have lots of reviews, including some negative comments, but with overall good ratings. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/7 "2013-03-21T16:37:33Z")
For what are you going to be using the printer and how often? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/8 "2013-03-21T19:04:58Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > For what are you going to be using the printer and how often? This is an important question. Laser printers aren’t so good at printing photos (there are ways in which inkjets suck at this too - for example durability of the output, but that’s another story). ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/9 "2013-03-21T19:25:01Z")
HP gets poor reviews on their printers these days; also, laser printers get worse reviews than inkjets (in general). I looked at a lot of printers and ended up with an [Epson WF-3540](http://www.amazon.com/Epson-WorkForce-Smartphone-Compatible-C11CC31201/dp/B0091DPYDU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363893811&sr=8-1&keywords=epson+wf-3540) inkjet. It will do everything the OP asks for a low initial outlay. You can buy high-capacity ink cartridges from companies like LD Ink (never had a problem with their products). ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/10 "2013-03-22T07:25:58Z")
If you’re going to get an inkjet , check if it’s possible to get third party refillable cartridges for it - I did this and it enormously reduces the running costs - by a factor of 20 or 30, maybe more. ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/11 "2013-03-22T10:31:00Z")
Let me add a downvote for HP Multifunction Inkjet Printers. One of my friends got one of these (can’t remember the model) and it is an awful pain in the arse. Once in a while, it just falls off the USB bus. I have to completely delete and reinstall the thing to get it working again. It loads the keypad menus from software, and more regularly forgets them, and I have to go and reconfigure them. The HP image management/scanning software is not intuitive and is a resource hog. I hates it, nasty printerses. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Composer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@The\_Composer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Composer)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/12 "2013-03-22T12:05:37Z")
Just popping in to say I’m sorry about leaving the thread for so long, but one of my children came down with a virus at school yesterday and I’ve been dealing with that. I haven’t had a chance to read and process all your responses, yet, but I will try to do that today depending on how my son is feeling. Thanks for your help. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/13 "2013-03-22T16:00:32Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > I have a [HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus](http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Printers/HP-Officejet-Pro/CM750A) (e-All-in-One Printer - N911g). This was highly recommended by a clerk at Office Depot, over a very similar HP model (the 8600, not Plus, as I recall). This is what I use at work. I haven’t used it for scanning but the other features work just fine. It’s fast enough, the cartridges seem to last, and it’s easy to use. My only complaint is that it doesn’t have a top-feed for printing envelopes. You have to remove the paper from the paper tray, put the envelope in the tray, print the envelope, replace the paper. That’s kind of a pain. I’ve used it for about a year without any issues. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/14 "2013-03-22T16:39:46Z")
I use a [Canon MG5250](http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Multifunctionals/Inkjet/PIXMA_MG5250/). It has everything you require; whether or not it’s suitable is a different question. I print occasionally, and what I print includes photos. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/15 "2013-03-22T16:43:49Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > I use a [Canon MG5250](http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Multifunctionals/Inkjet/PIXMA_MG5250/). It has everything you require; whether or not it’s suitable is a different question. > > I print occasionally, and what I print includes photos. That appears to be a UK product. Is the OP a Brit? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/16 "2013-03-22T17:41:16Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > That appears to be a UK product. Is the OP a Brit? I’ve had it a while, so it’s likely been superceded, but I daresay the Canon Pixma printers are available in the USA and Canada. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Composer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@The\_Composer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Composer)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/17 "2013-03-22T18:47:38Z")
Thanks for the great suggestions and advice. Here are a few responses to some of the questions and comments posted: 1. How will I use the printer? This printer will be used mostly for homework assignments and projects, simple home office work (scanning receipts, etc., printing necessary letters, etc.), and other miscellaneous “stuff” that requires faxing and or copying. It most likely will not be used to print photos, other than quick photos for projects, or the like, but not for framing, etc. 1. Consider duplexing. Duplexing would be a nice added option, but it won’t make or break the purchase for me. I may change my mind on that, however. 😉 2. (Respectable moment of silence) 3. I’m American. Another question: How wary should I be of the wireless vulnerability of the printers? We have several computers, and it would be nice to be able to print over the wireless network. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/18 "2013-03-22T18:58:53Z")
> [@The\_Composer](#): > > It most likely will not be used to print photos, other than quick photos for projects, or the like, but not for framing, etc. Then you should go for a colour laser printer. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/19 "2013-03-22T19:29:12Z")
For what you need, if you decide to go with the HP 8600, do not get the deluxe/premium. That basically just adds another 250 sheets of paper to the tray. The regular one, which I got for $153 after tax[from Best Buy](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Officejet+Pro+8600+Plus+Network-Ready+Wireless+All-In-One+Printer/3071296.p?id=1218377773592&skuId=3071296), has a 250-sheet tray, wireless printing, printing from iPad, all sorts of fancy features. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530/20 "2013-03-22T21:20:32Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > I’ve had it a while, so it’s likely been superceded, but I daresay the Canon Pixma printers are available in the USA and Canada. The model number is what keeps turning up on UK websites. I know about the Pixma printers, as I have one of their mobile iP100 models. Perhaps you’re right, the model may have been superseded. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-multi-function-color-printer/653530.md?page=2)