Good printer suggestions please.

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Matthysdt

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I'm looking to buy a printer for my home ASAP (yesterday) and don't have the time to do extensive research.

Can anyone here suggest a good reliable printer?

My requirements are:
  • 4 in 1 (Printer, Scanner, Copier, Fax)
  • Colour (Inkjet is fine)
  • Wireless
  • Support AirPrint
  • Affordable Re-inking (Some printers cartridges cost more than others)


I've been looking at these 3 on TakeAlot but finding it hard to tell which is better and why. The first two seem identical yet
R300 price difference. The last one looks like a toy?


UPDATE:
I ended up buying this printer:
http://www.takealot.com/canon-maxify-mb2040-a4-4-in-1-multi-function-ink-printer/PLID34168374
The Canon Maxify MB2040 from TakeAlot

So far I'm happy with my purchase, for me this printer had the following benefits:
  • Wifi
  • Separate Colour Ink Cartidges
  • XL Cartridges support on both black & colour
  • Ink re-supply is readily available (from TakeAlot)
  • Is more efficient on ink than most in it's class (I calculated the efficiency based on average number of papers printed per ml of ink, and of course cost per ml of ink, did this calculation for MANY printers. Obviously nothing comes close to Epson Ink Tank)
  • Can Scan, Copy, Fax
  • Supports AirPrint

Downsides experienced so far:
  • The first page does not print in 8 seconds as advertised (although it's fast from the second page onwards)
  • If you remove an ink cartridge before it's empty and then attempt to re-insert that same cartridge, you literally physically break the printer and it will require repair. This is a weird issue, luckily I read all the warnings so I know to avoid doing so.

At the time the bigger and faster MB2340 went for the same price, but I didn't want to go that big.
 
Last edited:
Look at the Epson EcoTank / InkTank range, yes more expensive to buy initially, but you defnitly save in the long run. I did a comparison end of last year and the Epson inkTanks are worthit when it comes to ink replacement, cost per page etc etc.
 
I have the HP Laser Jet 200 color MFP bought at Makro with an EBucks Voucher, So FREE! (or R6000 without EBucks)

It has all you want + more.

I would never go back to inkjet.
 
To pick up this thread...

I would like opinions on the best colour printer to buy for home use. Running costs are more important than upfront, so I understand laser is the way to go.

Only other requirement is Airprint with Wireless network connectivity.

I was looking at the Samsung Samsung SL-C1860FW COLOUR LASER MFP, but not too sure about Samsung as a printer and don't really require MFP, as I have that at the office.

Any opinions?
 
I can recommend the Brother J200 printer. I got one +- 1 and half years ago. I did a lot of printing of notes for campus (probably 1000+ pages) and the ink is yet to be changed. I think it will be able to push 3000+ pages. A set of inks will cost R850 and for 3000+ pages. The cost per page is quite low (not including the initial cost of the machine itself).

I currently have the same printer connected to 3 PCs all wirelessly and I do print from my phone using the Brother app on android, not too sure about Apple devices

Here is the link at makro:
https://www.makro.co.za/computing-a...benefit-4-in-1-colour-inkjet-printer-276152EA

Black ink:
https://www.makro.co.za/computing-and-mobile/brother-539xl-black-ink-cartridge-273290EA
Colour inks:
https://www.makro.co.za/computing-and-mobile/brother-535xl-cyan-ink-cartridge-273291EA
https://www.makro.co.za/computing-and-mobile/brother-535xl-magenta-ink-cartridge-273292EA
https://www.makro.co.za/computing-and-mobile/brother-535xl-yellow-ink-cartridge-273293EA
 
At the cost of cartridges - someone elses printer is always a good one :D

Personally, I have a Canon MP 500 series (5 something or another) wireless 4 in 1 and its been good to me.
Had an HP before that - was just as as good till the kids appropriated it ....
 
Epson ink tank systems. You won't be sorry. Just ordered another 2 today, so total of 5 in my immediate family.
 
Epson in tank works the best and is the cheapest in office environment. For home use if low running cost is prefered, I would take one of HP ink advantage printers around R2000. Samsung is all around a bad choice in my opinion.
 
OP,


If you are going to buy laser, then based on toner cost look at HP.

Ink printers - avoid printers where there is a 3-in-1 colour cartridge. Example your child prints pictures of the sea.... There goes the blue. Guess what- despite still 2 other colours being full, the cartridge is seen as empty. Rather get a ink printer where it uses 4 seperate cartridges.

epson ink tank system - only really worth it in an environment where there is lots of regular printing. If maybe printing once every 2 weeks or so, or maybe even less. then it is not a good printers as the ink starts to congeal in places, and eventually it does not work so well. This is designed to be a work horse. not a lazy sloth.

So look at your needs, and how often you are likely to use it, and then decide.
 
Thanks Guys - awesome advice. I can get HP through work, so looks like the best bet.

Agree with Samsung being a bad choice based on what I have read.
 
roadcat said:
Thanks Guys - awesome advice. I can get HP through work, so looks like the best bet.

Agree with Samsung being a bad choice based on what I have read.
Click to expand...

I found HP ink to be far more expensive. That is why I moved from HP

Here is an example: https://www.makro.co.za/computing-and-mobile/hewlett-packard-121xl-black-ink-cartridge-148101EA

That's just an example. R800 for a yield of 600 pages is insane. Just check what's the expected yield of each cartridge for a specific printer before you buy a machine
 
Nadir said:
I found HP ink to be far more expensive. That is why I moved from HP

Here is an example: https://www.makro.co.za/computing-and-mobile/hewlett-packard-121xl-black-ink-cartridge-148101EA

That's just an example. R800 for a yield of 600 pages is insane. Just check what's the expected yield of each cartridge for a specific printer before you buy a machine
Click to expand...
121 are older cartridges.

newer cartridges cost less per page yield. Look at the 940/950 xl cartridges. well over a thousand pages... The 950xl black can yield up to 2300 pages per cartridges depending on the ink coverage per page.


but then again the same goes for other printer brands too. they all have lower and higher yield cartridges, I guess it has something to do with choice/variety.
 
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