Joined on 01-11-2008
TechSoup Member
We're looking for a great all-in-one that prints, copies, faxes and scans for a one-computer office. No network, but it will need to play nicely with a phone connection for the fax that is shared with a DSL line and an answering machine. Our OS is XP, and the computer's an older Dell Dimension (P4).
Of paramount importance is scanning speed and quality - I scan a LOT of documents, primarily text, but also some graphics and color (often mixed). I need both a flatbed, and an ADF (document feeder) that is not too finicky. I may need to fax multipage documents from the ADF too. A duplexer would be especially nice, as we are trying to cut WAY back on our paper usage, and we print a lot of stuff that is only going to be filed and never looked at again.
Printing should be decent, and the feeder must be laid back - no picky eaters! Average copying will be fine. It will be on all the time to catch incoming faxes, so Energy Star would be appreciated. Did I mention I'm only looking at inkjets? This machine will get pretty light use, but we would like it to last awhile.
Anybody want to recommend (or warn me against) a machine? It would be nice if it was under $200.
Canon is a good brand, probably better than
the standard for all printers, HP. I'd steer clear
of Lexmark. IMHO.
For your scanning needs I'd take a hard look at leasing a network copier. Especially if you are really focusing on scanning piles of documents. They are built with a focus on high quality ADF and duplexing. The all-in-ones are going to scrimp on those areas, especially sub-$200 machine.
Joined on 06-09-2003
Davenport, Iowa USA
I would second Bethlehem's comment. The sub $200 all in ones are not designed for intensive scanning or usage. If you do much copying or printing the ink cost will far exceed the savings. There are desktop sized network laser MFP that you may even get used.
If you go with the sub 200 make sure the PC you attach it to is quite current, Many of the low end MFPs do not play in the sand box well with others. So you will want current hardware and software on the PC and cross your fingers while you load the drivers and software.
Dave
Joined on 02-18-2004
New Hampshire
A leased copier is a great idea, and will probably save your org money. The cost per print is far less with a copier than with a low-yield printer.
Ink jets are EXTREMELY expensive to operate on a per page basis. Any upfront savings on machine cost will disappear very quickly based on the cost of consumables (ink). Their lifespan is also significantly lower than that of most laser printers, making for a very expensive solution in short order.
The reason an inkjet printer is so cheap to buy is because of the "razor and the razorblade" marketing approach. The manufacturers sell a printer at a loss, betting that you will make up for the shortfall when you buy ink over and over, which affords an insanely high profit margin.
With competition as stiff as it is in the inkjet arena, it is not unusual for it to be cheaper to buy a NEW printer (which comes with ink) instead of buying the replacement consumables for your existing inkjet device!
This is definately a situation where you can do it right, or you can do it twice. It is up to you. My recommendation is to go with a laser printer up front. Your budget will thank you.
Joined on 01-11-2008
TechSoup Member
Thanks for all your replies. I gather from them that I have overstated what I mean by "a lot" of scanning. I have to scan everything on the flatbed, one page at a time, so it feels like a lot, but we're talking under 100 pages per week. Likewise, our printing and copying needs are extremely modest - again, under 100 a week combined. So I'm thinking a rented copier is probably way beyond our needs (not to mention our space).
However, our budget is flexible. I went to see some machines in the under $200 range, and they did seem awfully flimsy. A laser printer is not completely out of the question, but we do need fax, scanning and copying functions as well as printing, so an all-in-one inkjet seemed like a better match for our needs. I've never encountered an all-in-one laser printer, but if they do exist, I'd be happy to hear recommendations.
Joined on 06-09-2003
Davenport, Iowa USA
Our copier vendor was able to locate us a used Gestetner DSm415 which scans, copies and faxes. It is about the size of the old table top laser printers (smaller than an HP 4si)
There are several machines in this size. We pay a per click charge per copy and they supply toner and maintenance. It is networked so all users in that office can print to it. (in fact I went to the web administration page to get the model number since the printer is across town from me.) I believe that model needs a bit of PC software for the PC scanning to be efficient.
Dave
Joined on 01-11-2008
TechSoup Member
Hi Dave,
Does it also print, or is it strictly a copier?
Joined on 06-09-2003
Davenport, Iowa USA
It is a network attached printer. (I think it could hook up with a parallel cable also.)
Dave
Joined on 06-05-2007
TechSoup Member
i'm not really big on the all-in-ones for group office use.
i have two problems with them. one, they tend to do three or four things, but typically only one thing well. usually the scanning is pretty poor and only works with the computer it is plugged in to.
two, if one part fails and you need to send it out, you've also lost all your other parts.
i would think a low-cost networkable laser printer, plus a low-cost canon scanner might also meet your needs. i got an excellent canoscan for uner $30, it powers by USB plug, and is slim enough to slip into my laptop bag. for maybe $100 you might find a scanner with a sheet-feeder, something i have not seen on any of the low cost all-in-ones.
i also found an excellent plain paper fax for under i think $50.
i just discovered that the macintosh we use as a server has built-in fax software. so i can use it to receive faxes and send them to email or to the laser printer. it will also let users on the network send faxes out right from their desktops. nice!
Joined on 06-09-2003
Davenport, Iowa USA
I agree that the all in ones in the sub $200.00 are not worth the money paid, but the type I'm talking about are true MFP copier systems that list between $2000.00 and $9000.00 and come with service plans from the local copier company. This adds the printing, scan, fax functions to the photo copier that is sitting a few feet away from the users.
Dave
Joined on 02-18-2004
New Hampshire
We have a couple of the types of copiers that dave is describing. We have had great results with the supplies built into the monthly lease. We've also had success with the Brother MFP 4750e in smaller offices not having room for large copiers.