Get a Xerox Phaser wireless laser printer for $39.99
From the Cheapskate: This printer hits all the right notes, including AirPrint and Wi-Fi Direct support, duplex printing and affordable toner. Plus: another awesome Martian Notifier deal!
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Science fiction got it wrong. Despite the arrival of slim, lightweight tablets and cheap, ubiquitous digital storage, paper just isn't going anywhere.
Indeed, I suspect man will always need to print. Thankfully, man will not need to pay a lot to do so. Witness: For a limited time, and while supplies last, Newegg has the Xerox Phaser 3260/DI monochrome wireless laser printer for $39.99 shipped. That's after applying coupon code NAFJAN412DEALS at checkout.
Update: AAARRGGH! This sold out just minutes after I posted it. If you're still in the market for a dirt-cheap wireless laser printer, the Pantum model mentioned below remains an option. And perhaps Newegg will find some additional inventory, though unfortunately it's not likely. Sorry, folks!
Regular readers will recall that the monochrome-laser deal to beat is usually the Pantum P2502W (which, incidentally, Newegg also has for $39.99). But that model appears to have some setup and reliability issues, at least according to user reviews, and the Xerox offers a few notable advantages.
For starters, the Phaser supports AirPrint and Wi-Fi Direct. And although I can't find any specific mention of Google Cloud Print in the Xerox specs, I've seen user reviews mention that it's supported as well.
What's more, the Phaser features a 250-sheet input tray, so you won't have to reload paper quite so often. And perhaps best of all, it offers automatic duplexing, meaning you can easily crank out double-sided documents.
You also get a standard toner cartridge that'll be good for around 1,500 pages, not some lame starter cartridge. And a quick search for "Xerox 106R02777," which is the high-yield (3,000-page) replacement option, reveals prices under $40. That's awesome, though do note that you'll need a new drum after every 10,000 pages or so, and those will also run you around $40.
CNET hasn't reviewed this model, but the smattering of user reviews I've seen at Newegg and Amazon suggest a very solid product. PC Mag praised the print quality and duplexer but dinged the "high running cost."
It's rare to find a laser printer with these features for this kind of price. And, hey, it's Xerox, not some tiny no-name brand. Your thoughts?
Bonus deal: Can a tablet really take the place of a laptop? It's certainly an attractive option, and if you want my two cents, an iPad is your best bet. Need help making the move? Check this out: TradePub.com is offering the e-book edition of Wiley's "iPad at Work for Dummies" absolutely free.
All you need to do is supply a bit of information about you and your company. The book, which sells for $13 on Amazon and has a 4.8-star rating, covers productivity, data synchronization and backup, integration with Windows networks and much more.
Bonus deal 2: Regular readers know of my fondness for the Martian Notifier. It's a simple smartwatch that specializes in -- you guessed it! -- notifications. If you missed one of the previous deals, here's a similarly awesome one: StackSocial has the Martian Notifier smartwatch for $36.99 shipped. (That link will take you to the red model. It's also available in black and white.)
The notifier's compatible with both Android and iOS phones and runs well over a week on a charge. Just be prepared to wait two to three weeks for delivery. Come on, StackSocial, you can do better.