Advice Needed: What Wifi Printer to Purchase

F

-Fanatix-

Active Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2014
Messages
41
Reaction score
0
Hi All you tech boffs out there :)

Need some sound advice on the following

I need to purchase a colour printer for home use

I want something reasonably priced and also whereby running costs / replacement cartridges wont cost me an arm and a leg .
Budget of around R1500- R2000
  • Will be printing on average abround 200 - 300 pages montlhly , maybe 50 colour / month , bulk is b/w
  • ideally require a printer that can run off b/w even when colour cartridges empty
  • printer must be 3in1 ( copy scan print ) , fax function not necessary but be a bonus
  • must have wif , so ideally can pair to laptop and devices and print wirelessly

Feedback will be greatly appreciated
 
recently bought Samsung mono laser from Makro R599 - works like a charm

think all printers STOP when one cartridge empties.

Maybe lease from a Nashua, Canon etc. Maintenace taken care of.
 
Musicmp3 said:
recently bought Samsung mono laser from Makro R599 - works like a charm

think all printers STOP when one cartridge empties.

Maybe lease from a Nashua, Canon etc. Maintenace taken care of.
Click to expand...

need colour function as well , mono wont work ..

And also need wifi ..

please can anyone that clued up assist
 
-Fanatix- said:
And also need wifi ..
Click to expand...

If you have a wifi router then you can connect the printer via ethernet and still be able to use it via wifi from other devices. This should lower the printer cost and extend the range of choices to all those with ethernet.
 
TBH I swear by those HPs - I have now got an Officejet 8600 and has everything you need. Everyone is going to screw you over with ink-cartridges, but when it comes to printer-reliability and speed, I do think HP is the best choice. I had Lexmark and Canon before and both sucked. Look for a printer where you can get drivers/support for multiple OS's.

The fax-function on my printer is a waste, I don't even think I have used it once.
 
ponder said:
If you have a wifi router then you can connect the printer via ethernet and still be able to use it via wifi from other devices. This should lower the printer cost and extend the range of choices to all those with ethernet.
Click to expand...

Something I never though about :-) So printer must just have ethernet port and can run via router .. :-)
 
MagicDude4Eva said:
TBH I swear by those HPs - I have now got an Officejet 8600 and has everything you need. Everyone is going to screw you over with ink-cartridges, but when it comes to printer-reliability and speed, I do think HP is the best choice. I had Lexmark and Canon before and both sucked. Look for a printer where you can get drivers/support for multiple OS's.

The fax-function on my printer is a waste, I don't even think I have used it once.
Click to expand...

I was just going to say I've got an HP6500 wireless that has kept me happy for a few years now. Before suggesting it though I Googled to see if it was as revered online. Surprised to find an Amazon rating of 2.5 and many 1 star ratings. Many claiming to not be able to get it to work. I never had that problem. My Win7 computer, Windows XP (yes, I now :) ) laptop, android phone, SO's phone all connect and print to it wirelessly without issue.

As a result of my happiness we got an HP8500 wireless in the office and also no issues with 5 users connected.

It really seems to be a matter of PICNIC (PICNIP in this case).

I am also able to print without colour cartridges. Never replaced the "sample" colour cartridges when they run out and only buy the XL black. Was shocked to see it was R500 the last time I bought one but it does last me a while. As you say, ink is where they all nail you!
 
Last edited:
Dubes said:
I was just going to say I've got an HP6500 wireless that has kept me happy for a few years now. Before suggesting it though I Googled to see if it was as revered online. Surprised to find an Amazon rating of 2.5 and many 1 star ratings. Many claiming to not be able to get it to work. I never had that problem. My Win7 computer, Windows XP (yes, I now :) ) laptop, android phone, SO's phone all connect and print to it wirelessly without issue.

As a result of my happiness we got an HP8500 wireless in the office and also no issues with 5 users connected.

It really seems to be a matter of PICNIC (PICNIC in this case).

I am also able to print without colour cartridges. Never replaced the "sample" colour cartridges when they run out and only by the XL black. Was shocked to see it was R500 the last time I bought one but it does last me a while. As your say, ink is where they all nail you!
Click to expand...

I will certainly look into the HP models :-) as it is for home use , I am sure that cartridge replacements will hopefully not be frequent , just need to see what prints they allow
 
-Fanatix- said:
Something I never though about :-) So printer must just have ethernet port and can run via router .. :-)
Click to expand...

Yip. My HP is like that and I can access it wirelesly from laptop via my router which has wifi. I also prefer it being ethernet as wifi can be a finicky biatch at times.

I will add my vote for HP. I dont print much at all & usually draft quality is good enough for me. I've also had cartriges refilled at the local ink/cartrige shop.
 
Last edited:
And on that note - Incredible Connection and Dion Wired (at least the ones in Fourways) have the skill of mislabelling their merchandise and oftentimes you will get a real bargain
 
For interest sake, I have Samsung CLX 3185FW wireless laser colour printer. Bought it about 2 years ago for R3000. We only use it occasionally. I just replaced all the cartridges - 4 of them for R700 a pop!

Its worth doing some research on the running costs first - I think this Samsung is a bit steep...
 
Biggles190 said:
For interest sake, I have Samsung CLX 3185FW wireless laser colour printer. Bought it about 2 years ago for R3000. We only use it occasionally. I just replaced all the cartridges - 4 of them for R700 a pop!

Its worth doing some research on the running costs first - I think this Samsung is a bit steep...
Click to expand...

If you are considering an inkjet printer, take a look at one of the continuous ink models from Epson. The running costs on these are much lower than a laser printer even using refilled cartridges - ~4000 pages for <R100 (70ml ink bottle).
http://www.epson.co.za/viewcon/corporatesite/cms/index/10289/?tab=savings
http://www.takealot.com/all/?qsearc...Cyan+T6643+Magenta+Ink+Bottle&via=suggestions

Incredible Connection often have them on special - just check guzzle regularly.
http://www.guzzle.co.za/specials/view/812609/
http://www.takealot.com/epson-l300-inktank-single-function-printer/PLID32712437
 
Last edited:
MickZA said:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2379649,00.asp

PC Mags most recent reviews, seems it's only the Brother MFC-J470DW in your price range. Don't forget that running costs can quickly nullify initial cost savings.
Click to expand...
link not loading on mobile.


If that is a laser printer..... becareful. Their drum is a seperate unit, not in the toner cartridge.

The little experience I had with those have been with MFP mono laser printers. Replacing the drum is eina. My supplier costing, for the drum, is more than IC retails the same printers for. And it is a bit difficult to justify that as a repair cost, with a lil labour (service same time is recommended), when the customer knows what they paid either at a store or you for the whole printer just a lil over 2 years ago.

edit:
I'm refering to the Brother laser printers.
 
Last edited:
Biggles190 said:
For interest sake, I have Samsung CLX 3185FW wireless laser colour printer. Bought it about 2 years ago for R3000. We only use it occasionally. I just replaced all the cartridges - 4 of them for R700 a pop!

Its worth doing some research on the running costs first - I think this Samsung is a bit steep...
Click to expand...
unfortunately samsung is known for their high prices on consumables.
 
Things I would look for:

1. Laser
2. Google Cloud Print compliant
3. Ethernet / Wifi
4. Colour
5. Toner cost
6. Printer cost
 
Venomous said:
The little experience I had with those have been with MFP mono laser printers. Replacing the drum is eina. My supplier costing, for the drum, is more than IC retails the same printers for. And it is a bit difficult to justify that as a repair cost, with a lil labour (service same time is recommended), when the customer knows what they paid either a store or you for the whole printer just a lil over 2 years ago.
Click to expand...
OT and I'm referring to printing in a business environment not home use:

For casual printing I actually prefer the separate drum / toner cartridge design that OKI use for their mono lasers. The drum is usually good for 25,000 pages at which time I recommend replacing the printer with the latest model, as you say, a replacement drum costs almost as much as the printer and you can write off the cost to repairs.

For heavy duty & colour printing I'd recommend going the rental route.
 
When I have to replace my fax/wifi printer I will look at an Epson Workforce like this Epson have come to the party with ink tanks for this printer. What the cost is ito capital and running costs would need to be researched.
 
I have an HP Officejet Pro 8600 which is excellent except for the annoying habit of "going to sleep" - an ECO feature which can't be switched off from the user menus. I did a bit of research online and found out how to disable it this morning so all now fine. Cartridges are pricey, a set of CMYK will set you back about R1600 but they do last.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X