Advice for a getting a new printer

Hi people

Im unable to determine what HP model of an all-in-wonder printer would be
best. Im a bit printer illiterate.

I want fax, scan,print and networking (wireless would be nice but not
critical). There is a handful of models that do this but range a $179 ish to
$600 ish and I dont know what the difference is.

Im not worried about ppm speed as that most print jobs will only be a copy
or 2 at a time, but i'd like the ease of setting it up to network both
computers and the stand alone faxing

So far most all-in-wonder printers seem to do all these functions... so what
would I gain from the $500-$600 models that the $300 (or less) can't do ?

I'm looking to spend around $300. ( but if a model that costs a bit more
that makes practical sense, then thats fine)
thanks for any suggestions

Brad

i would not buy an hp . at least a 3210 model they have feed problems .. i
had one for less than 10 months and it never worked correctly .. just
parched a canon mp530 and it seems great ..

just my opinion .


paul


"Brad" <> wrote in message
news:nbi9h.357916$R63.224674@pd7urf1no...
> Hi people
>
> Im unable to determine what HP model of an all-in-wonder printer would be
> best. Im a bit printer illiterate.
>
> I want fax, scan,print and networking (wireless would be nice but not
> critical). There is a handful of models that do this but range a $179 ish
> to $600 ish and I dont know what the difference is.
>
> Im not worried about ppm speed as that most print jobs will only be a copy
> or 2 at a time, but i'd like the ease of setting it up to network both
> computers and the stand alone faxing
>
> So far most all-in-wonder printers seem to do all these functions... so
> what would I gain from the $500-$600 models that the $300 (or less) can't
> do ?
>
> I'm looking to spend around $300. ( but if a model that costs a bit more
> that makes practical sense, then thats fine)
> thanks for any suggestions
>
>

"Brad" <> wrote in message
news:nbi9h.357916$R63.224674@pd7urf1no...
> Im unable to determine what HP model of an all-in-wonder printer would
> be best. Im a bit printer illiterate.
>
> I want fax, scan,print and networking (wireless would be nice but not
> critical). There is a handful of models that do this but range a $179
> ish to $600 ish and I dont know what the difference is.
>
> Im not worried about ppm speed as that most print jobs will only be a
> copy or 2 at a time, but i'd like the ease of setting it up to network
> both computers and the stand alone faxing
>
> So far most all-in-wonder printers seem to do all these functions...
> so what would I gain from the $500-$600 models that the $300 (or less)
> can't do ?

The higher end models may have automatic document feeders (some that
handle doule sided scan/copy), multiple paper trays, automatic duplexers
(with ability to print and perhaps copy two sided automatically), color
LCD screens, wireless LAN, larger capacity cartridges (and lower
printing costs) and legal size scanning.

> I'm looking to spend around $300. ( but if a model that costs a bit
> more that makes practical sense, then thats fine)

How many copies a month do you expect to make? Do you care about photo
printing? Do you need color? Two sided copying?

I have used and like the Officejet 7310, see
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...ABA&catLevel=2
It has built-in networking, reasonably sized cartrdiges (~ 800 text
pages from the back cartridge), automatic duplex printing, photo card
slots for printing directly from camera cards (and scanning directly to
photo cards), color and B&X faxing and good speed.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, MS MVP Printing/Imaging

On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 22:35:20 -0800
"Bob Headrick" <> wrote:

> I have used and like the Officejet 7310, see
> http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...ABA&catLevel=2
> It has built-in networking, reasonably sized cartrdiges (~ 800 text
> pages from the back cartridge), automatic duplex printing, photo card
> slots for printing directly from camera cards (and scanning directly
> to photo cards), color and B&X faxing and good speed.

I have the d155xi (the predecessor to the 7310), and I do like the
hardware a lot - it's been reliable, not too expensive cartridge wise
(it has separate heads and cartridges), and supports scanning through a
browser (great for those who're not on Windows). With CUPS printing
from Linux and Unix is easy and the quality is excellent. It's a great
printer, a very usable scanner and copier, and a serviceable if slow fax
device. Very nice for the price.

The Windows software (HP Director) I got with my d155xi is another
matter. It's bloated, unreliable (like preventing the computer from
shutting down) and hasn't been upgraded to support the latest versions
of Windows (service packs). I could not get it to install on my new
laptop (XP SP2), and had to fall back on the minimalistic corporate
drivers that HP provides on-line (meaning no scanning over the
network). I went through the hassles of ordering a CD with the latest
version - but to no avail. On the machines were I could install HP
Director (Windows XP without service pack, Windows 2000) the drivers
are unstable - sometimes the Director menu will hang and can only be
terminated through the Task manager. The printer drivers have problems
surviving standby mode, and hibernation confuses them completely - if
they allow the system to hibernate at all. It could be related to the
problems of handling a network device, but it's still pretty shoddy.

The printer is great (my previous HP printers were all excellent
devices) but this software put me off from buying another HP printer
when my LaserJet 6MP gave up the ghost after 10 years of faithful
service.

Make sure you like the software that comes with the 7310 before you buy
one. Also ask for a guarantee that it will work on, or HP will release
an upgraded version for, Windows Vista. I cannot use my d155xi's
advanced functions on my XP SP2 laptop, and there's no sign HP will
release an updated version (the latest version was released in 2003
IIRC).

--
Stefaan A Eeckels
--
"I don't understand that attitude. Don't we want email that has dancing
bears, cute little videos, musical tunes, animated waving hands, sixty
fonts, and looks like it's been done with crayolas? Good grief, man,
think like a three year old!" -- Norm Reitzel discussing HTML email

Brad wrote:
> Hi people
>
> Im unable to determine what HP model of an all-in-wonder printer would be
> best. Im a bit printer illiterate.
>
> I want fax, scan,print and networking (wireless would be nice but not
> critical). There is a handful of models that do this but range a $179 ish to
> $600 ish and I dont know what the difference is.
>
> Im not worried about ppm speed as that most print jobs will only be a copy
> or 2 at a time, but i'd like the ease of setting it up to network both
> computers and the stand alone faxing
>
> So far most all-in-wonder printers seem to do all these functions... so what
> would I gain from the $500-$600 models that the $300 (or less) can't do ?
>
> I'm looking to spend around $300. ( but if a model that costs a bit more
> that makes practical sense, then thats fine)
> thanks for any suggestions
>
>

Your requirments sound like mine. Check out the HP PhotoSmart C7100
series Specifically the C7180.

I think you will be very pleased. We are. :-)

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