[Macworld]

Post your comments for Macworld Buying Guides: Multifunction printers here

[flybynight]

Any experience with Epson's "Artisan" line? I'm looking at the 700, because for $199 you get built-in WiFi and ability to print onto printable CD/DVDs. I just wish Apple carried it so I could take advantage of their printer rebate with a new MacBook.

[payneok]

I can't believe I'm going to recommend an HP but I hate myself for loving my OfficeJet 7580. Its crazy fast, ink is "relatively" cheap and the Copier works awesome. I've had it about 6 months and it has been awesome.
WARNING - the reason I "hate" myself for loving it was the NIGHTMARE I had setting it up. Throw the disk away. Download software from the web. Plug cable directly into it to configure, don't try it through a router or using Bonjour - WON'T work no matter what documentation says. Oh, its huge and ugly too (but man does it smoke on the printing). I have 1 PC, and 3 Macs printing through an Airport Express and it works great - just plug the printer directly into each device when installing software (or you'll waste 12 - 15 hours like I did).

[TheBum]

Why no recommendations for laser MFPs? Even though it's slow, I love my HP CM1312nfi.
Also, regarding ink vs. toner cost, you also have to take into consideration how many pages can be printed per cartridge. Typically, toner cartridges are good for more pages than ink cartridges.

[Hurley42]

I bought the Canon MX850 a couple of months ago after having used HP multifunctions for years. The MX850 is the best multifunction I have ever used. Full auto duplex at the price of $179.99 at newegg.com - ($100-less than the article states) is the best deal I found and it works flawlessly. Anyone looking to ditch HP, this is the one to get. And you can get ink refills online at great prices. And no, I do not work for Canon or Newegg.

[rloyola]

flybynight said:

Any experience with Epson's "Artisan" line? I'm looking at the 700, because for $199 you get built-in WiFi and ability to print onto printable CD/DVDs. I just wish Apple carried it so I could take advantage of their printer rebate with a new MacBook.

We haven't looked at the Artisan 700, but we did review the Artisan 800 recently:

Macworld Epson Artisan 800 review

[Schneb]

I love my Brother MFP Laser. I will never, ever, buy another Inkjet. Better to just throw money into the toilet and flush.

[lin2log]

flybynight said:

I just wish Apple carried it so I could take advantage of their printer rebate with a new MacBook.

LOL... Huh??! You quite obviously have never even gone to the trouble of checking the alleged great bundle prices, since they are complete dung, sorry! Having to buy a $2K+ computer to get a printer that is merely 5% OVER the average price??!

Oh yeah... makes OODLES of sense to me... pfff.

[lin2log]

Schneb said:

I love my Brother MFP Laser. I will never, ever, buy another Inkjet. Better to just throw money into the toilet and flush.

:-))))) ... yeah, since they do such SUPERB COLOR PRINTS for the same amount of cash, eh??

Yeah, screw buying a Ferrari for 200 bucks, since I can get a BEETLE for a mere 1000!!

Ouch.

[jwmci]

You say "A majority of MFPs have USB interfaces for connecting to a single Mac. If you have an AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express, or Time Capsule at home or in a small business, you may be able to use USB to connect the MFP to the network device and share the printer over a network."
Forgetting Airport Extreme/Express or Time Machine, just click on sharing in System Preferences, then click on Printer Sharing.

[jwmci]

I've tried both HP and Epson. Canon is the only way to go for one reason. Canon's software works. I've had so many problems with HP and Epson that my stomach tightens at the thought of them.

[flybynight]

lin2log said:

LOL... Huh??! You quite obviously have never even gone to the trouble of checking the alleged great bundle prices, since they are complete dung, sorry! Having to buy a $2K+ computer to get a printer that is merely 5% OVER the average price??!

Well, I'm not getting the computer JUST for printer rebate. I'm buying a MacBook (since when does $1299 = $2K+?) AND a printer anyway. I have shopped around. Even if the printers are a little bit over the average price, most of them aren't by much and then you get $100 back. I wouldn't recommend getting one or the other if you don't really need/want it, but if you are in the market for both, it can be a good deal. Like I said, I'm looking at a $200 printer - if that one isn't available I'll get a different $200 or less printer, and get $100 back.
Oodles of LOL, right back at you!

[rumplestiltskin]

The Brother MFC-465cn (under $90-street) has both USB and Ethernet, prints quickly, does photos quite nicely (considering it's only a four-color unit), has separate ink cartridges that are quite inexpensive, and even does faxing and scanning right from your Mac over the network. Obviously, if you print a lot of B&W pages, you want a laser printer.

[bousozoku]

You might mention that the Canon MP series works just fine, if you don't need FAXing.
After 2 Epson MFP/AIOs, I will never buy another. If you don't print around once or twice a week, they clog. In my case, I suffered through power outages due to hurricanes and they wouldn't print no matter how much cleaning was done.
I've switched to Canon and there hasn't been a problem, even during extended power outages.