What is a good printer/scanner for home use?

[dash09]

To be used to print and scan the odd personal documents, I want it to be connected to my network (wired or wireless, either is fine) and receive print jobs from 2 devices. Wont be printing a lot though, maybe once a month.
I know ink is the big expense here so I need something thats not too pricey to refill/replace

 

[mradovan]

Don't know if the technology improved over the years, but ink-based printers have always been trouble for infrequent use back in the days. They were cheaper, but the ink inevitably dries up and clogs the tank and the head nozzles.
Up to the point of either having to replace the head, or put a snorkelling mask / rubber gloves, and clean it with a concentrated hydrogen peroxide. Not my idea of fun, so been using lasers ever since.

The purchase price of a laser is higher, and they admittedly come with a 'baby' toner - but if you only print a few pages a month, it'd last for years. And most importantly: maintenance free.

I have two at the moment, Xerox WorkCentre 3225 and HP 137fnw. Both are fantastic, been serving me well for quite a few years. They could be overkill for what you need, and are probably no longer sold anyway.

I checked on Takealot, and it seems you could get a basic mono laser MFP with a flatbed scanner for sub 2K - maybe someone has one, and can give you a first-hand recommendation.

When it comes to connectivity, I think most nowadays come with either RJ45 or WiFi.
Even if not, I think Windows can still be configured to share a printer connected via USB with any device on its network.

 

[Xyris]

I have an HP6830 that I paid R1700 for like 6 years ago..

This thing is still working, it scans, it prints it's wireless, my wife even prints from her phone. Drivers are easy to download (just make sure to install using admin rights or it doesn't work for some reason).

My ink costs me like R400 for all to refil, my wife buys the ink off takealot, and my printer always yells at me "THIS IS NOT A GENUINE HP CARTRIDGE, PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS OR YOUR PRINTER WILL EXPLODE"

I usually ignore the message and my prints are all fine..

Worst case there is a "clean print head" and "align printhead" option... So if you are printing once a month I rate it would be fine.

I print like once every few months and it's never given me hassles.. but I mean, just in case it gives you hassle, go for a safer option.

I need to try and find that link my wife uses to buy cheap ink but we literally get all 4 colours for around 4 or 5 hundred bucks.

 

[gavin286]

I got a Pantum printer for home use. To get away from the drying ink issue, get a toner based printer. It can then sit unused for a long time and will still work when needed.

Products

www.pantum.co.za

 

[kinosfronimos]

Got a Samsung b&w laser printer with scanner years ago, infrequently used, but so useful, and toner lasts for ages

 

[eY_b0ss]

I print an average amount, like 5-10 waybills and invoices daily. Have an inktank printer, best purchase I've made. The ink is like R200 for a combo of black + all colors. With it you can print +-7000 pages

 

[dash09]

So I looked at a few options based on recommendations, laser is what I want however in my budget (R2k) black and white is only available so I found what looks to be a decent inkjet:
Takealot

Black cartridges can do over 1000 prints so should last a while, I dont plan on printing in color but its good to have the option.
Anyone own this model?

 

[abd]

Don't know if the technology improved over the years, but ink-based printers have always been trouble for infrequent use back in the days. They were cheaper, but the ink inevitably dries up and clogs the tank and the head nozzles.
Up to the point of either having to replace the head, or put a snorkelling mask / rubber gloves, and clean it with a concentrated hydrogen peroxide. Not my idea of fun, so been using lasers ever since.

The purchase price of a laser is higher, and they admittedly come with a 'baby' toner - but if you only print a few pages a month, it'd last for years. And most importantly: maintenance free.

I have two at the moment, Xerox WorkCentre 3225 and HP 137fnw. Both are fantastic, been serving me well for quite a few years. They could be overkill for what you need, and are probably no longer sold anyway.

I checked on Takealot, and it seems you could get a basic mono laser MFP with a flatbed scanner for sub 2K - maybe someone has one, and can give you a first-hand recommendation.

When it comes to connectivity, I think most nowadays come with either RJ45 or WiFi.
Even if not, I think Windows can still be configured to share a printer connected via USB with any device on its network.

Thanks for this.

Have an inkjet printer that has been doing this due to infrequent use. Will have to go laser.

 

[kinosfronimos]

So I looked at a few options based on recommendations, laser is what I want however in my budget (R2k) black and white is only available so I found what looks to be a decent inkjet:
Takealot

Black cartridges can do over 1000 prints so should last a while, I dont plan on printing in color but its good to have the option.
Anyone own this model?

For the infrequency of printing, multiplied by the subsequent infrequency of printing in colour - I'd go b&w laser. Being able to photostat ID doc, print forms for signing & scanning, printing & copying a notice - b&w laser is perfect, a time-saver, and probably money-saver in the long-term. You can get the few color copies you might ever need done at a postnet.

 

[AndreZA]

I have an Epson L3160 inktank. I've printed hundred of photos and the ink is just not getting less. It's been a few years and still on the original bottles. I just print a tiny full colour picture every week to keep it from clogging. Printing from your phone also makes it great.