Which printer?

[iris lilies]

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?

[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

[iris lilies]

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.

[catherine]

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.

[iris lilies]

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.

[catherine]

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!

[frugal-one]

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

[Rogar]

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.

[JaneV2.0]

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!

[iris lilies]

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