Small and compact multifunction printer

[Leggie]

Hi all,

I've been asked to hunt for a small colour printer & scanner combo to replace a rather more bulky HP Officejet 6310 (it works, but it's taking up too much room in the flat at 236mm x 456mm x 326mm)

Its main use is what you'd probably term "home office" - quite a lot of scanning and document printing. Photo printing is not important, although would be a bonus. A fax facility isn't very important either, but would be useful, on balance. Then all the usual printer considerations come into play as well - relatively cheap to run, reliable, well-built, etc.

Obviously I'm prepared for the fact that there'll be a premium to pay for the small size; could anyone offer some recommendations, please?

Thanks,

Leggie

[scaryjim]

Define "a lot" of document printing That'll pretty much decide whether it's worth going for an inkjet or a laser (IMNSHO, that is!)...

[Leggie]

One user printing invoices, etc., perhaps a few times a week - not heavy use. I had ruled out a laser on basis of size. Do they do small multifunction laser printer/scanners, then?

[Funkstar]

I'd recommend the Brother MFC's, I have a MFC-465CN and it is great.

Sheet feeder for the scanner, third party inks are really cheap and it's been very reliable since I got it.

[Leggie]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies. I forgot to say that the printer will also need to have a wireless connection.

I'm looking at the Brother DCP-J515W, which looks about the right size. I'm also currently thinking of the Canon Pixma MP495: I've had generally good experience with Canon printers. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Leggie

[scaryjim]

I had ruled out a laser on basis of size. Do they do small multifunction laser printer/scanners, then?

Dunno, I didn't want to look until I was sure an inkjet would do the job

HP seem to do a wireless all-in-one for £55 ~ £60 (at DSG group!) that would probably do the trick - it seems to be pretty much a direct replacement for the Photosmart 2570 that's been serving all my printing and scanning needs reliably for the last 5 years (and cost twice as much, incidentally ).

Samsung do a multifunction which is a mono laser duplex printer + colour scanner (pixmania linky - it doesn't seem to be available through many of the usual trusted retailers) which could be worth looking at if you definitely don't need colour printing. It's terrifying to think that you can now get a duplex laser MFP with wireless for the same price as a colour inkjet MFP with wired networking 5 years ago...

[Leggie]

Hi scaryjim,

That HP actually seems to have a larger footprint than the HP Officejet 6310 that's currently in use, so probably no go on that front.

I'm finding it hard to find a proper review of the Brother DCP-J515W, but the review of its bigger brother was not entirely positive. Then again, the Canon MP495 is criticised for potentially high ink costs.

Going to try and get an estimate of how many pages will actually be printed.

Cheers,

Leggie

[Leggie]

Hi guys,

The person for whom I've ordering the printer has given some information on how heavy her usage is likely to be:

No more than 100/200 pages a month I reckon...some months considerably less. But very inaccurate reckoning.

By my rudimentary calculations I think that makes the Canon MP495 cost about £44.04 - £88.08 per year, assuming a running cost of 3.67p.

Thoughts welcome.

Thanks,

Leggie