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General discussion

Need help shoping for an all in one wireless Printer

Jan 5, 2010 12:20AM PST

Hey guys, I am in the market for an all in one wireless printer. I am heading back to school this month so I need one that can copy, scan, and duplex print (Use cell phones so I dont need a fax machine). The reason why I need a wireless printer is because I have no place to put a printer near where my router or main computer is hooked up. So I have found a nice spot for one but it is too far away to run a USB cable, or even ethernet. I think it will just end up being less of a hassle to run a wireless printer.

The printer will be used with a Mac, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.

I am looking to spend well under $200 and closer to $100 if that is possible. But I also do not want to buy a piece of garbage either. I know that you get what you pay for.

So far the only all in one wireless printers that I have been able to find are inkjet. Do they exist for laser printers? I would prefer a laser over an inkjet just because of the cost to replace ink all of the time. That is unless you tell me that inkjet printers have gotten a lot better and XXXX printer does a phenomenal job at there cartridges lasting forever.

The only model I have really looked at so far was this one:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Photosmart+Premium+Wireless+Printer/+Copier/+Scanner/9472251.p?id=1218110871158&skuId=9472251

I happened to see it in Best Buy and it is on sale for $150 (normally $200). There are not a ton of reviews but I have read one saying that after 40 pages the person needed to replace the black ink cartridge. To me that is unacceptable...

So please help me out, I am a lost soul on my hunt for a printer.

Thanks in advance

-Brian-

Discussion is locked

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The ink that comes with the printer is 40 to 50 pages.
Jan 5, 2010 1:50AM PST

Or "Starter Ink."

It appears all printers now do this to lower the initial cost so does this wipe all printers from your shopping list?

I picked up the HP C4780 and 4 hours into the install I remembered some of my own advice to get it working. I had to set the wifi N router to B/G mode. This is the only device that cared about BGN and had me pull the router back to BG.

I strongly suspect the model you shared will do that same thing.

My lesson? WIFI printers are not ready, at least HPs. I see they tried VERY HARD to make it easier with Wizards and more but in doing so I bet they hid the clue why it wasn't working.

I've ordered the print heads for our HP K550 which was the reason for the C4780 purchase. I'll let one of the children take the wifi printer off my hands.
Bob

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So essentially...
Jan 5, 2010 3:54AM PST

the ink that is included will not print as many pages as a normal ink cartridge. If that is the case, I understand, and no it will not strike all inkjet printers from my list.

I am stuck on getting a wireless printer though because of where I have to put it.

Could you help me out and recommend some wireless printers under $200 (or closer to $100) that would suit my needs? Something that is halfway decent and can scan and copy.

Thanks in advance.

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Your model looks fine.
Jan 5, 2010 7:58AM PST

I think the C4780 print quality is below that of the HP K550 so I'm going back to that model fast.

As to prints per cartridge, do some research given what you know now. Find the per cent coverage they use for the print and how many pages per cartridge to arrive at your answer.

The C4780 scanner is fine. And it has a copy function that works but given the cost of color copies I won't do that often.
Bob