Want to read Slashdot from your mobile device? Point it at m.slashdot.org and keep reading!

 


Forgot your password?
Close
typodupeerror
×
Printer Upgrades

Multi-function Printer Recomendations? 37

Posted by Cliff from the working-hardware-that's-hard-working dept.
worm eater asks: "My office is thinking about purchasing a multi-function printer/copier (MFP). We are currently looking at the Panasonic Workio 3510, but there is a surprising lack of reviews on the internet (there is one at ePinions). Has anyone had any experience with this model (which went on sale last month) or other similar machines? We are looking for a good B&W copier / laser printer capable of connecting to our LAN. The ability to interface with Exchange and send internet faxes would be nice, but not essential. As with pretty much any copier, we will need high quality support. Thanks in advance, Slashdot."
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

Multi-function Printer Recomendations? More

Multi-function Printer Recomendations?

Comments Filter:

  • Find something with Jet Direct/network (Score:5, Informative)

    by BrynM ( 217883 ) * on Monday August 18, 2003 @07:56PM (#6728034) Homepage Journal
    If it only uses a parallel port or USB, stay away from it. Being able to plug a printer in anywhere there is a network drop and having it be self sufficient (no I don't mean loading papaer itself, just not a slave to a PC) are a must. Having co-workers clamor around your desk because you have the FAX and the printer sucks and can slow your machine down if the drivers suck(voice of experience).

  • HP! (Score:4, Informative)

    by itwerx ( 165526 ) on Monday August 18, 2003 @08:00PM (#6728076) Homepage
    As with any corp, not every HP product is great but their higher end business-class printers and multi-function machines are usually best-in-class.
    I don't know anyone who's regretted going HP and I know a great many who have regretted going with other brands.
    If you absolutely MUST use somebody else Lexmark and Canon sometimes have decent product.

    • Re:HP! (Score:3, Informative)

      by Cade144 ( 553696 )

      I generally tend to stay away from multi-function machines, if it runs out of toner (needs maintenance, whatever) not only have you lost your printer, but your copier, fax and so on.

      A few refurbished HP 4000-series [hewlett-pa...inters.com] with jet direct cards can serve well as network printers.
      If you need the multi-copy collating features of the Panasonic you showed, consider sending the job to Kinkos or the like, you just need a day or two notice, and it often turns out to be cheaper (cost of ownership) unless you want to pr

      • I just picked up a Canon 3200 for my office - $20k, but we print a ton of color 11x17s. Try doing that at Kinko's. Our last copy job was $9k - I figured we could do it for less than $1k on the Canon, so it'll pay for itself over Kinko's fairly quickly. We're using the Ikon service agreement - they charge $0.085 per color copy for full service, including toner, but they don't differentiate between 8.5x11 and 11x17. Works for us.

        A print job on the Canon can be set up to insert tabs, covers, slipsheets, etc.

    • Re:HP! (Score:2)

      by mnmn ( 145599 )
      Rule # 1, if you dont need color get a laserjet. Its far more durable and cheap.

      The cheapest in HP laserjets is the 1000. The multifunction is Laserjet 3200. We've been using it quite heavily for all its purposes and it has never given way. Ive seen the performance of other inkjet all-in-ones and theyre all crap. This one is really heavy duty and reliable and the cheapest of such machines from HP. The second best is lexmark.

    • I don't know anyone who's regretted going HP...

      Here's one. The OfficeJet (print / scan / copy / fax) + JetDirect I recently acquired is OK in & of itself, but the software that came with the printer is horrible. On each of the three win2k workstations upon which I loaded it: tripled startup times; one module grabs 100% CPU for several minutes after startup; two others refuse to terminate gracefully at shutdown; occupies 20-odd meg of RAM (a print driver!?); scan function works when it feels like i

    • But whatever you do...DO NOT get an HP 4100 MFP. You will regret the very thought of it if you do. It's got a good concept but it is easily the most awful execution of a concept that I have ever experienced. It is truly one bad machine. I wish for the day I can live out an "Office Space" experience with it. Perhaps it will get better over time, but don't be a alpha-tester for it as we are. Unfortunately a PHB thought this would be a time and money saver without even consulting an IT guy. He was sold

  • ONE function failure takes out ALL, 'til repaired! (Score:5, Informative)

    by ivi ( 126837 ) on Monday August 18, 2003 @08:52PM (#6728408)

    When are we going to be able to use something
    (eg a further developed e-Smith server/g'way)
    to reduce the cost of sharing such functional-
    ity across a LAN?

    If we -could- connect & share single-function
    devices to a network, ie -via- separate ports
    of an old Pentium II running e-Smith software
    (now known by Mitel Networks as "SME Server")
    when any of them failed, only its functional-
    ity would disappear until it got fixed.

    An "All-In-One" boxs cost effectiveness comes
    from sharing an expensive single network port
    across the different functions (print, FAX, &
    scan, to name a few), but at the expense of a
    big loss whenever the single unit "broken" or
    having its (typically small) toner cartridge
    replaced, not to mention paper jams & conten-
    tion for any two of the functions provided...

    I say Make a simple (eg e-Smith-style) server
    with lotsa ports (printer, USB, etc.) do what
    an e-Smith box can do for printer/FAX sharing ... so users can choose cheaper (with no net-
    work interface), single-function peripherals,
    that can be used -simultaneously- by multiple
    Users.

    Too easy, eh?
    • Better off with clarkconnect. Clarkconnect uses a pretty standard redhat system and just adds a cookie cutter installer (I have no problem configuring redhat or any linux system to suit, but in many respects clarkconnect is already configured properly and that saves time).

      Clarkconnect is by far more up to date than the newest release of e-smith, which uses numerous packages that are known to have security holes.

      Clarkconnect makes most of the software choices that were finally defaulted in RH 9 on the les
    • is auto line-wrap, you insensitive clod!
  • When I go to computer shows, there are always a dozen vendors selling Epson compatible cartridges for 5-7$ each (not oem though of course.) Accordingly I would suggest an Epson inkjet of some type. Personally I use a brother mfc 5100c and its nice, it is a flat bed with a document feeder, inkjet that cost most of 200$ and I like it although I havent printed that much...
    • epson injets have one true problem. If the print heads get clogged, you've got a good paperweight, or plenty of work to do.

      Besides, the guy is looking for a lazer printer/copier.

  • HP OfficeJet (Score:4, Insightful)

    by bruthasj ( 175228 ) <bruthasj@@@yahoo...com> on Monday August 18, 2003 @09:39PM (#6728718) Homepage Journal
    HP's OfficeJet 5100 seen here [hp.com] is an excellent choice. The fax, scanner and color print works great. Although you're limited to one regular-sized page faxes, it does the trick for 95% of the work.

    The Fax functionality works without the computer on, which is another plus that you do not find with other multi-function printers with software drivers that process the fax messages. You just have to plug the printer into the phone and away you go.

    Hint: if you want to color print stuff, the computer should be on at the time of printing.
    • Nothing was mentioned in the original question about Linux support... be wary with some HP products as they don't support Linux, and some don't even allow you to copy ASCII text to them!

      I got saddled with a LaserJet 3150 and it's totally useless from my Linux machines... I have to keep an old laptop with Windows on it hooked to the printer to route print jobs through, and even then it always bitches about improper codes etc.

  • MFP's suck and I'll tell you why. (Score:5, Informative)

    by shaitand ( 626655 ) on Monday August 18, 2003 @09:40PM (#6728726) Journal
    1. Your local hp authorized repair shop? guess what, probably can't get parts.

    2. The quality is significantly lower than having a seperate scanner/printer/fax modem

    3. A seperate scanner/printer/fax modem is more versitle and not limited to the cookie cutter software and functions of a MFP.

    4. MFP's typically requirely highly proprietary software so they aren't cross platform friendly.

    5. The software typically gums up your system, stand alone copies work but you have more durability, cheaper supplies, and less hassle in general with a real low end copier.

    6. All hp mfp's (and some of their other usb printers) have a known problem with jobs getting stuck in the print queue which they have not resolved. As an authorized reseller/repair center when I call support they are allowed to read me the red text which indicates the known issues that "don't exist", that's one of them. Officially it's a resource problem, unofficially it's just a problem.

    6. MFP's aren't nearly as durable, one your fax load in addition to your print. They are made as cheaply as possible an equivelent stand-alone printer is ALWAYS built with more durable parts, so a high end MFP compares with low end lasers in this department.

    That said, if you absolutely insist on an MFP, go with a high end hp, other manufacturers MFP's suck even more.

  • Multifunctions have come a long way (Score:4, Informative)

    by Wolfman3027 ( 698568 ) on Monday August 18, 2003 @10:49PM (#6729230)
    but I would not suggest getting an HP, their drivers tend to be propriatary. They are essentially printers with copier functionality.

    We settled on a Gestetner 4502 [gestetnerusa.com] (Ricoh 1045) after looking at HP and several other vendors. The Ricoh line took a dependable copier and added print, scan and fax capabilities.

    We have been running for almost a year with this model. We ran for three years with it's predecessor. The only calls I have had to make are to order new toner and to have a tech come out for the 6-month cleaning.

    We did have one problem with the NIB not detecting the network when it was first delivered. Our users were able to use it as a stand alone fax and copier until the tech came out with a new board the next day.

    The major drawback is it only has the printer drivers for UNIX / Linux. Faxing is not supported from a Linux desktop.

  • First of all, I have to say I've always disliked Lexmark printers. They always seemed flimsy, and we had to service them much more than any other brand.

    However, I found the price to be right for the Lexmark X125. And, it had exactly what I needed: a low cost sheet-fed scanner.

    Sheet-fed scanners are impossible to find for under $200 and are usually only available on massive multifunction printer/copiers. I have to say that this is the only thing that drew me to buying it, and it works OK, as long as you ch

  • Xerox, as strange as it may sound. (Score:4, Informative)

    by Zaffle ( 13798 ) * on Tuesday August 19, 2003 @12:59AM (#6729981) Homepage Journal

    Having just recently configured another Xerox Document Centre on our network, I must say, they are a breeze to configure and print to.

    They are a true network printer, they talk LPR, SMB, and, not that I've tested, apple-talk and netware.

    I use to have trouble finding drivers, and configurating them, but then I discovered a few settings here and there that made them work right (to do with the hi-cap feeder, fax, and duplex).

    The document centres come with various options, but we've got two (a 250 and a 400 model) that have the fax, duplex and high cap feeder options.

    Oh, and they talk postscript. *REAL* postscript.

    They print, scan, and fax, and I've heard some of the xerox boys at the R&D labs hooked up a coffee maker, so it can even do that *GRIN*.

    The only thing I'm not sure about is the network scanner side. There is a windows client that interfaces to it, but I've never tried with linux.

    • The only thing I'm not sure about is the network scanner side

      I've scanned with one of these at a client's location, and in the sense it scanned really fast it was great. In the sense that it only scanned 10 pages or so before the memory was full, it had a problem. The interface I used scanned as a batch job rather than as a streamed job across the network. Things may have improved since then, but what it needed was a pile of extra memory, plus the ability for me to walk back to my computer, hit the scan ke

    • Have to agree. Xerox makes the best TRUE network printers. PLus you can't beat having your printout stapled neatly for you. Their muleifunction departmental size ones are great. If you don't need the scanner, faxing and copying functions, try a Docuprint 75. These have a Sun Workstation as a controller (blade 150). It can have MULTIPLE queues and you can set up each drawer with a different kind of paper. They understand PCL, Postscript and thier own language (which is postscript based) called VIPP.
  • If you are purchasing for a network then get a device designed for a network that can be processing one page, while printing and receiving data at the same time.

    At the high end the Xerox Document Centres are very good and now include colour laser options. Most vendors have something at the 20ppm end. Toshiba have some good models in their eStudio range.

    Cheers
    VikingBrad

  • MFC's are higher priced in nearly every way (sometimes cheaper for initial purchase).

    You are forced to purchase redundant units when you (inevitably) have to upgrade a component.

    Quality is nearly always poorer than standalones.

    The inconvenience of not being able to use the scanner or printer or copier or fax at the same time can VERY quickly make the "multi" part of MFC seem a bit of a misnomer.

    Q.

  • Clearly few people replying know the pricing point of the beast you're considering. If you've got a mixed network it's a very configurable unit indeed. I've used one during a short demonstration and I rather liked it.

    If you really need it as a heavy-duty scanner, the 50-80 page limit on the ADF may be a problem.

    I think the remote management utilities are Windows & Mac only.

    On the printing side, Panasonic seem to have been regarded as higher than average per-page costs. I don't know if Kyocera have any

  • Get yerself over to www.linuxprinting.org and have a good read. An awful lot of the multi-function devices are listed as 'doorstops', in other words they will NOT work under linux. I've found through experience that a lot of these machines are windows only.

    Ed Almos

  • He's not looking for a $349 inkjet/fax/copier combo from MegaOffice.

    We use the Canon Imagerunner line.

    As far as the machine being down, your local service reps can get the thing back up and running in a few hours. All fax and print jobs can be stored in memory, so when it is running again, they won't be lost.
  • And get a laser-based MFD.
    Brother makes solid stuff, and their
    cartridges are pretty reasonable.
    • I second the Brother recommendation.

      A unit like the MFC-8600/9600 is NOT priced like an inkjet printer but gives you a real flat-bed which when combined with a real laser engine gives you a ture copy machine with the added bonus of real fax and your-mileage-may-vary scanning (especially on a Mac) factory print servers are available but the LPT port should allow any of your choice, or a linux box etc.

      I seriously considered the HP one given that it uses cartridges from their desktop laser models BUT the thi
    • >Brother makes solid stuff, and their
      >cartridges are pretty reasonable.

      However, their drums normally cost more than the printer itself and the printer is programmed to bitch at between 10k to 20k pages (depending on your printer model). Even used ones are extraordinarialy expensive [allmostnew.com].

      That and my Brother HL-760 blew up it's thermistor after printing a small book. It took over 3 weeks for Brother to ship replacement parts from Quebec to Ontario. I have a donated HL-1060 (under 10,000 pages) and the r
      • I've had a Brother HL-1240 for three years now without incident. It's really served me well. I recommended it to a client, they love it. One of my other clients has had one for a while, they've loved it. I'm only going by my experiences and others' experiences, as you obviously are for yourself. Sorry to hear about your troubles, but it's been smooth sailing for me.
        • Hey, other than the break down on the HL-760, the printers work well (and the recall doesn't affect performance). I've just been unimpressed by the way TCO worked out for me. I guess it depends on wether you remember to put money aside for the drum. I never do, so when the drum's up, the printer's up. :-/

Slashdot Top Deals

A morsel of genuine history is a thing so rare as to be always valuable. -- Thomas Jefferson

Close