Need suggestions for a scanner, fax
0So my 11 year old HP all in one bit the dust. I need suggestions for a scanner/fax machine (outgoing only faxes for the most part) replacement that won't break the bank (in fact if any of you have a decent used one I could buy I'd be interested). I don't have a dedicated fax phone line, I'd be manually swapping the landline cord. I tried reading reviews and it would appear there are zillions of choices. Needs to work with a Mac. Not as concerned about the print quality as I use a 9 year old laser printer that works great (super glue and duct tape not withstanding). Any suggestions?
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I won't be much help, I uses canon as I like the seperate ink tanks (watch out they made combined ink tank ones as well)... but as far as faxes go:
https://www.hellofax.com/
Haven't used a physical fax machine in I don't know how long now.
Epson just came out with a new permanent head printer that has 2 years worth of ink included ... haven't tested but since your looking might be worth checking out...
http://www.engadget.com/2015/08/05/epson-ecotank-printers/
@thismyusername Thanks. I still need to scan to email faxes though. I
@Kidsandliz oh I know, just pointing out that you don't need to spend the extra to have a fax built in, you can get by with a simple scanner/printer combo ... or even a stand alone scanner.
The canon printer/scanner I have currently is a mg6220 and is still going strong after 3 years.
looks like the mg6220 isn't being made any more... the modern version looks to be the mg7520, but I have no experience with that model, but it does use the separate ink tanks.
I kinda want to second this...
I've done literally all my serious business faxing for the last 5 years with just a phone camera and free outgoing services like this one (which doesn't add ads afaik).
The Google Drive app does an amazingly good job "scanning" to PDF (and even does OCR) these days.
Never had to receive a fax in my adult life, though.
I use an HP Officejet 8600 (provided by work) that does everything. It just broke down tonight, after not too long having it. I will have to order another one. I don't even pay for the ink and I cringe when I see how much the ink costs for this thing. I have had some Hp's that have lasted a long time. But recently I have gone thru 2 in only a few years. I know, still not much help. What did you expect? I am the Goat.
@mfladd tells me what not to get LOL
@mfladd I had the pro version of that... It's been "broken" for a year now... according to the error code it probably needs a new print head unit. The print head unit last time I checked was $100... Given that the whole printer was on sale for $150... I may end up getting a new printer. I'm also looking at the Epson ink tank printers. It'd be nice to not have to spend $100 every time I need a new round of all the inks. Even in it's "broken" status it's been working great for a year, the scan/fax works just printing gives errors- yet still works... thinks there is a "jam" every now and then...
@sohmageek thanks for letting me know. I don't know what work will send me this time. I just go onto a site click send and it ends up at my door 2 days later. It's always HP though.
I vote for separation of functions whenever possible. One device to scan (and virtual fax), one to print. If one thing quits, the other is still good. Of course, if you have a lightning strike everything gets fried anyway. Don't have a lightning strike.
@OldCatLady Takes a lot more desk space with separate items.
How about this Canon imageCLASS MF216n Black & White Laser Multifunction- copy, fax, and scan for $90?
I have an HP Officejet 4630 and I am a huge fan of it. I bought it on three requirements:
A) All-in-one (print,copy,scan,fax) for under $100
B) Works with HP Instant Ink
C) WiFi (so it works with Apple's AirPrint and Google's CloudPrint)
Staples is selling it for $79.99 right now. I got it from Fry's for ~$50 if I remember correctly.
Reviews on Amazon are, as is typical for a printer, love it or hate it. Majority of the reviews are 4 and 5 star, but there's a good portion of people who hate this printer (and who doesn't hate their printer? Printers are, for whatever reason, the only piece of technology that have not gotten better and easier to use with age)
Pros:
It's cheap
It works
It's semi-fast considering the price
Auto document feeder for copies
HP Instant Ink
WiFi
Comes with free ink
Not too heavy on ink use either
Replacement ink isn't too expensive (less than $15 on Amazon)
Cons:
Quality. It's an HP OfficeJet, which in terms of HP product lines, means it focuses more on speed and features than quality printing. OfficeJet printers are not designed for printing high quality photos. You're not concerned about quality but I am just throwing this out there. If you've used one of their home-use inkjets before, you'll notice the difference when you try to print photos.
Speed. It isn't fast like a laser or even a fast inkjet. It's not a slow inkjet either, somewhere in the middle really.
If you don't need color, a Brother multi-function laser. Many work fine with generic toner, knocking the consumable costs way way down, and you'd never have to worry about dried ink or clogged heads.
The one I'm currently using was bought at a thrift store; it was 3 years old at the time and nothing was wrong except the <700 page starter cartridge was empty, aka it was very rarely used. 4x the cost of my previous printer, though - $20!
@narfcake @Kidsandliz Businesses replace equipment all the time for unknown reasons, if you don't mind out-of-date used equipment, you can get stuff for cheap or free. Old Brother MFC's are beasts.
Get just about any Brother Laser multifunction printer with the features you want. You'll never look back.
Have one - it's been a tank. Several clients have them and love them as well.
@RedOak ditto
@RedOak I have a Brother laser - it's excellent. Doesn't fax though. I use it for copies only.
BTW, I used to be able to say that about HP laser printers (but never HP multifunction lasers). No longer.
@kidsandliz Did any of the suggestions here help, or do you want something different than has been posted here? (More details in that case would be helpful).
@dashcloud Sorry - been busy today and not on line much. The suggestions here have given me a starting point and let me know that decent stuff can be bought for $100 or less which is useful.
Gosh, fax machines seem like the sort of consumer electronics that meh would have in its warehouse.
@2many2no @narfcake @RedOak @Dashcloud @Collin1000 @cengland0 @OldCatLady @Mfladd @Thismyusername @nadroj
Thanks all for your suggestions. I am going to hunt for used first and if that doesn't work out then buy something suggested since the ones suggested all seem to be around $100 or less. I appreciate it as it really shortened my search. I had no idea what price range one needed to be in to get something decent and I am relieved that it is on the low end. I was afraid I'd be paying $200+
@Kidsandliz If you can find a used one for really cheap - like $20-30, perhaps. But you risk buying somebody else's abused lemon. Also verify cartridge pricing/availability.
@Kidsandliz You are very welcome.
@Kidsandliz How about this Brother multifunction new for $59.99 + $1.99 shipping? http://tinyurl.com/nsomes6
@gio sure like that price : )
@gio @kidsandliz I have this printer. It works great and ink is $2 a cartridge. I also have a Brother HL-2270W for most of my B&W printing needs
@Kidsandliz I don't know if this is a factor for you. But I look into how much the ink/toner costs. I'd gladly pay $300 for a printer that ink for 1000 pages costs $40 over a printer that Costs $50 but 500 pages of ink is $80. It's something I'd check before buying the lowest priced printer.
@sohmageek I have a working, ancient laser printer so I am not as concerned about printing costs since I don't really plan to use it to print much. Maybe in the future when the laser printer bites the dust... Were printing costs to matter I would agree with you. And someday that printer of mine is going to bite it. Bought it used from the department when they thought it had bit the dust. I fixed it with super glue and tape and need to prop up the paper tray. Been going strong like that since 2006. No idea how old it really is.
@Kidsandliz awesome. I'm glad you have a laser printer that is working properly. They are really work horses. If you went with a virtual fax. http://m.ebay.com/itm/Fujitsu-ScanSnap-S1100-Document-Scanner-213-/171888467794?nav=SEARCH We use the scansnap s1100 (I hate the slowness of s1100i but it's the new model the eBay listing is for the old one) I can't vouch for OS X compatibility ( I can check possibly on Monday) but if you don't need flatbed scanning it's an awesome small device. eBay listing is $60 shipped.
@sohmageek I think I'd prefer a flatbed as sometimes I scan smaller stuff and I'd like to scan photos. Thanks though for the suggestion.
@Kidsandliz not a problem. We use them as photo ID scanners :). I hope you have good luck with the selection process! :) (totally understand wanting a flatbed)
Canon or Brother. Really can't go wrong with either. HP and Epson can bite me.
@cinoclav I had issues with epsons in the mid 90's... I too find it hard to give them another chance.
Again thanks all for your suggestions.