For the new office I need a new printer. Specifically the requirements are:
- works well with Mac and PC
- works well with Linux a plus
- need a copier function -- we don't print much these days, but we do have the occasional copy need, copying sketches made in meeting for clients for example
- reasonably fast
- laser instead of ink -- ink is too expansive to run
- wireless so that I don't have to worry about placement
Verdict
I settled on the Brother MFC-7840W. It is an older model, and a mid range machine. Has all the usual features including network scanning. The verdict? B++. You can often find this discounted to about $250. A high yield toner cost around $40.
Likes
- machine is reasonably well built, still lots of plastic parts of course, at this price point
- print fast, print quality is good
- works easily with Linux, some of our developers are happy
- works with mac, I am happy
- copier works
Minor Dislikes:
- network scanning is so slow that it is not usable (I expected this before buying it). Use my wonderful Fujitsu ScanSnap instead.
- The Mac control center software (not required) while works is ugly and not friendly.
- The wireless connection would fail every few days, requiring a quick power off/on on the printer -- this is the only real annoying part. Have not troubleshooted this one yet.
Over all, it works and I am happy with it. See some pictures below, notice how many little blue tapes it used in packaging.
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