Multifunction printers

[chrissiehope]

I think my Epson is on the way out so I am looking into a replacement. As a member, I have looked on Which?, and one of their best buys is a Canon Pixma MG3650 - does anyone have/ had one of these ? Any comments ?
TIA

[Enrique]

Hi chrissiehope,
The MG series gets my vote , have some.

One thing if you set it up for wireless , set a Static IP .

[TorreDelAguila]

If, by any chance, you don't particularly need colour, then a monochrome (b/w) laser printer makes enormous sense; no ink to clog, no special paper, and available for way below €100.
Even worth looking at some colour laser printers, although cost more. After years and several inkjet Epsons, I went for a Canon colour laser LBP7780C.
Do accept the appeal of a new inkjet (coming complete with a set of inks, for less than the cost of a new set), for relative peanuts - even if an environmental disaster and a lot of hassle if you hang on to it.

[markwilding]

I have both a laser for work and an inkjet, which is for home use. I would agree that the laser is very convenient and works quicker and better so I tend to use it for more or less everything.

These days being able to connect tablets and phones with WiFi direct is really useful as well.

[Miro]

I went through a few Epsons before someone advised me that they are notorious for clogging up if not used regularly, due to the ink tubes from the cartridges to the inkjets - or something like that, anyway! I've had an HP Deskjet for a while now, which has probably lasted longer than 3 Epsons. Just another option to look at.

[TorreDelAguila]

Forgot to mention that inkjets thrive and stave-off clogging only with regular (at the very least, weekly) use.
Laser can be left for weeks (years, even!) at a time, and always fire up first time.

[chrissiehope]

Thanks for all the input - the Epson seems to be OK at the moment, but I suspect it's just biding it's time . Looking back, I think I got it about 3 years ago, & I've certainly worked it hard since then.

I've been using generic ink since I first got it, and altho' the 'You're not using our ink' whinge was a bit irritating, it would at least grudgingly comply with a Print request ! This time, I replaced an ink, & it just wouldn't recognise any of them, even the one I'd replaced only the day before . After much switching off & on, & removing & replacing the cartridges several times, it finally began to print. It has had a few hiccups since, and everytime I press Print I hold my breath....

So I think I'll get the Canon I posted earlier (I do need colour, and can't justify the expense of a laser at the moment)

[1bassleft]

I've had an earlier version of the Pixma for several years now, back in the UK. It's reliable, prints well and doesn't grumble if a Tesco rather than a Canon cartridge is put in. As TdA and others have pointed out, I do have to grit my teeth and pay for expensive ink costing more than a whole new special deal shebang from Tesco and throwing the Pixma in the skip. I hope that heaven will reward me with trees to hug and all the hummus I can eat.

I print everything in B+W, especially the flight and other tickets riddled with their full-colour ads puffing their sarnies and rentacars at me. Really ought to get a mono laser, and wireless is also the next must-have. My son behaved like a brat when I told him he'd have to go on the office desktop and print out from there.

[TorreDelAguila]

The trouble with inkjet is that the less you use them (in full colour, all jets operating*) the more prone they become to clogging.

There is also the evil software they include (Epson and some others) that can not only kick up when non-genuine catridges are fitted, but - worse - is programmed to bring the printer to a complete halt after a certain number of cartridge replacements and/or cleaning cycles. Manufacturers say this is to prevent the machine from working less than optimally, and to force taking it into a service centre. (The cost of a service would normally exceed the cost of a new machine, as it would likely involve major innards replacement.)

There is 'shutdown defeat' software available on the web, which simply allows a printer to Carry On operating, and I've used this successfully on Epson. The OE software takes built-in obsolescence to a whole new level . . . although the car manufacturers have now caught on. I'm all for essential safety servicing being done on time - but an inkjet???

* There are C,M,Y,K 'stripe' images available on the web, which, when printed, give each of the four (or six) jets a workout. Not a bad idea to print out one of these each month.

[Wicksey]

Can you get a laser printer/copier/scanner?

I only print in b&w and my HP Deskjet is going the same way as the previous one in that it has stopped copying and will only scan if I go through the HP program I have on the computer. I have to scan items then print them as the copier doesn't work which is a pain. I know I can buy a new one cheaply but I have found that other replacement inks just don't work in this. I bought a Carrefour own make one for colour and it worked a few times then stopped probably as I so rarely used colour, but it was still 15€.

I need a wired in printer as my PC isn't wireless,and have been wondering about laser if the ink is supposed to be so much better.

[gerryh]

Can you get a laser printer/copier/scanner?

Yes. A quick Google search will reveal many.
Cheers
Gerry

[Enrique]

Hi Wicksey,

"I need a wired in printer as my PC isn't wireless"

Get a USB Wifi Adapter...........Examples

https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-network ... b-adapters

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-WN7 ... B002SZEOLG

I've various TP-Link wifi Adapters on all my PC's.

[markwilding]

I need a wired in printer as my PC isn't wireless,and have been wondering about laser if the ink is supposed to be so much better.

Solutions would be to buy a WIFI dongle costing around 10-15 euros.

It isn't actually necessary to have internet or WIFI to work wirelessly with modern day printers. Wifi diect allows your phone or tablet to connect to the printer without a router.

[Wicksey]

I know I can get a dongle but I was trying to keep things simple. I never print from my phone and don't have an iPad and I didn't really want to have to spend any more money on my computer Buying a new printer is a pain as it is!

[alpineSi]

Can you get a laser printer/copier/scanner?

I only print in b&w and my HP Deskjet is going the same way as the previous one in that it has stopped copying and will only scan if I go through the HP program I have on the computer. I have to scan items then print them as the copier doesn't work which is a pain. I know I can buy a new one cheaply but I have found that other replacement inks just don't work in this. I bought a Carrefour own make one for colour and it worked a few times then stopped probably as I so rarely used colour, but it was still 15€.

I need a wired in printer as my PC isn't wireless,and have been wondering about laser if the ink is supposed to be so much better.

For about 4 years, maybe more, I've been using an HP LaserJetPro which I got for little more than 130€ online. So much better value than an inkjet. Think I've ordered 3 HP toner cartridges from Amazon at about 65€ a pop over the years. It has USB, networking and WiFi connections, including lots of fancy-print-over-the-internet stuff which I've still never understood why I would need, and of course the ancient fax capability. It's moved house about 6 times too without complaining, definitely solidly built.

[TorreDelAguila]

Laser represents a higher purchase cost, but
- vastly reduced cost-per-copy costs
- ability to print on vitually any paper
- instantly ready-to-print (after about 30 secs warm-up)
- no jets to clog or ink to waste; dry toner comes with each replacement drum-cartridge
- a really long life for the unit

Canon and HP are the established brands, but Brother and others are highly rated for home use.

[markwilding]

For about 4 years, maybe more, I've been using an HP LaserJetPro which I got for little more than 130€ online. So much better value than an inkjet. Think I've ordered 3 HP toner cartridges from Amazon at about 65€ a pop over the years. It has USB, networking and WiFi connections, including lots of fancy-print-over-the-internet stuff which I've still never understood why I would need, and of course the ancient fax capability. It's moved house about 6 times too without complaining, definitely solidly built.

Try this company for toner if you are in Spain
Cheaper than Amazon and Media Mart. Free Delivery in 2-3 days.

https://www.cartucho.es/

[alpineSi]

Thanks, they are definitely cheaper. We have a couple of shops like that in town though and I've always wondered about the printer kicking out an error code. I've been refusing the last firmware update just in case I do try them one day; the only thing listed on it is an improved detection of non-genuine cartridges!

[markwilding]

The cartridges are genuine Brother.

[alpineSi]

Oh, for my HP the site was giving a random name like Qnomic.