Which printer?

Need some general ideas.

It’s time for me to set up a printer attached to Mac.

I want a black-and-white printer. I will not be printing in color. I skimmed articles about Wi-Fi versus wireless and don’t understand when I look at actual products because everything seems to be wireless.

I do not need wireless functionality, but maybe that’s just what everything is.

When I print, which is not very often, I will sit in a space that is within 10 feet of the router.

I’m concerned about complexity of set up because one product review already said use a USB cable to blah blah blah blah. I don’t see how USB cable fits into my Mac, there’s a USB-C port.does an app need to be loaded on every device I plan to use with the printer?

I’ve not had wireless printing functionality at home before this. an app for every device? I will use with the printer? I may want to print from iPads.

What printer do you think I should buy comments about this process?

Here is the one I have. I bought it a few years ago, and it's versatile and easy to get going:

https://www.amazon.com/HP-E4W44A-Pri...ps%2C91&sr=8-4

There are probably even cheaper ones for what what you want to do. I use mine to print out drafts of reports and discussion guides. Nothing fancy. I like it, and if you get one that offers a subscription service for the ink cartridges I highly recommend it.

Probably obvious but it copies and faxes as well, but who faxes these days? I never use the fax function, but occasionally use the copy function

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by catherine

Here is the one I have. I bought it a few years ago, and it's versatile and easy to get going:

https://www.amazon.com/HP-E4W44A-Pri...ps%2C91&sr=8-4

There are probably even cheaper ones for what what you want to do. I use mine to print out drafts of reports and discussion guides. Nothing fancy. I like it, and if you get one that offers a subscription service for the ink cartridges I highly recommend it.

Probably obvious but it copies and faxes as well, but who faxes these days? I never use the fax function, but occasionally use the copy function

---

thank you for this. A new version is $174 and I could spend that much but it’s probably not necessary. My needs really are quite simple. But still since I was figuring it’s been up to $150. I guess a new one at $174 isn’t all that much more.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by iris lilies

thank you for this. A new version is $174 and I could spend that much but it’s probably not necessary. My needs really are quite simple. But still since I was figuring it’s been up to $150. I guess a new one at $174 isn’t all that much more.

---

I mentioned there may be some cheaper--as I said, I bought mine a while ago and technology changes so quickly. Here's a decent one for $109: https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp...in-one-printer

I do like the subscription service for the ink. When it comes down to it, it doesn't matter what you pay for the printer. It's what you pay for the ink.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by catherine

I mentioned there may be some cheaper--as I said, I bought mine a while ago and technology changes so quickly. Here's a decent one for $109: https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp...in-one-printer

I do like the subscription service for the ink. When it comes down to it, it doesn't matter what you pay for the printer. It's what you pay for the ink.

---

yes, true, but we do black and white cartridges only so it’s not that pricey.

I looked up the price of a new printer exactly like the one we have now and the new one isn’t even wifi, and it is $254! I am surprised that model is still being sold, and not even wifi or wireless.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by iris lilies

yes, true, but we do black and white cartridges only so it’s not that pricey.

I looked up the price of a new printer exactly like the one we have now and the new one isn’t even wifi, and it is $254! I am surprised that model is still being sold, and not even wifi or wireless.

---

I don't think the color cartridges are that much more than the B&W. I would just get whatever printer has the features you want for the cheapest price. There are a lot of super-cheap ones out there!

DH just bought an Epson printer recently that uses liquid toner ink… not cartridges. The cost per year for ink should be about $50…. versus buying ink cartridges which are expensive. YLMV

There was a time when I was doing a lot of printed B+W media and the cost per page for laser copies was far less than the ink tank replacements for the standard ink jet printer. Ink tank replacements are a communist plot if you do much printing. I have used the scan feature on modern ink jet printers, which is sort of nice.

I have an ancient Brother all-in-one that happily accepts cheap non-OE cartridges. Somehow, I managed to switch its instructions to French language. Merde!

I don’t even understand the difference between laser and inkjet, and I never have. Sigh.