Weird. I sold a client a colour inkjet A3 printer/scanner (the MFC-6890CDW) and they love it. And it works really really well. Wasn't terribly expensive for an A3 unit, with an RRP of $579 (I did it cheaper then that though). But yeh, the use it all the time and are very happy with it.
Still, always different opinions for everything. That's what makes it that much harder when looking around! :o) Kind Regards Daniel On 21/10/10 10:28 PM, "Steven Knowles" <[email protected]> wrote: > > The opinion of one salesman about Brother was that they're not bad for laser > printers, but they fall short on inkjet. But yep, Brother worth a look if you > need A3, and according to the same sales guy, no prob with Mac compatibility. > > To clarify for others though, the HPs I mentioned (8500 and 8500A) > accommodated 'legal size' paper for flatbed scanning. Not A3. I think you need > to move up to higher end commercial stuff for A3. > > A4 = 210 × 297mm > Foolscap = 210 × 330mm > Legal (USA) = 216 × 356mm > A3 = 297 × 420mm > > Cheers, Steven > > > On 21/10/2010, at 11:10 PM, Daniel Kerr wrote: > >> >> Hi Steven >> >> Yeh, I think you're right on the most offensive! (And glad you didn't take >> it as a dig. It's always sometimes hard to get gestures across on email, so >> I always try make sure things don't get taken the wrong way) :o)) (smiley >> faces are always a good safe bet) >> >> Makes you wonder who's making the money on the cartridges though, as I can >> definitely say as a cartridge supplier, there really is not that much margin >> in them! I suppose by the time everyone add's their little "cut", it all >> adds up. >> But yes, I'd much rather pay a bit more for my printer (knowing that it >> lasts longer) and pay less for the cartridges. >> >> Glad you like the Epson range. I've always been happy with them. Hence why I >> have no problems ever recommending them. >> But yes, thy don't do an A3 unfortunately. They used to also do laser >> printers and they got out of that too. (Which is a shame as my Epson Colour >> C1100N has just chugged away for years! And barely eats toners at all!) I >> love it. I dread the day something goes wrong with it,....touch wood. >> Brother do a nice A3 colour multifunction printer though. That may be worth >> a look too ;) >> Just to add more to the pile,..lol ;) >> >> Kind Regards >> Daniel >> >> >> On 21/10/10 8:58 PM, "Steven Knowles" <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> >>> I don't disagree with you Daniel, and I definitely don't take it as a dig. >>> Printers and printer consumables must be right up there in terms of the >>> world's offensive on the environment. >>> >>> Hey, maybe we can lobby the government ... legislate for no more home >>> printers! Publicly accessible printers only, wireless connectivity makes it >>> possible. Collect your hardcopy from any nearby printer after putting in >>> your >>> PIN code. System charges your Paypal, periodically, based on usage. Printers >>> can be housed in weather-proof cubicles, onboard web cams dissuading passing >>> hoons from putting the boot in ... might be a good use for all those public >>> telephone boxes which don't get used anymore (do they even exist? Can't say >>> I >>> know where a public telephone is anymore). I'd post my letter to Ms Gillard >>> right now, except I don't have my printer yet. >>> >>> I did find some time to take a peek at the Epson products online by the way. >>> They look good, but couldn't see any multifunctions with anything bigger >>> than >>> an A4 flatbed, which has evolved into a must-have for me. Marlene, only good >>> reports about Epson if A4 flatbeds are good for you. >>> >>> Steven >>> >>> On 21/10/2010, at 10:14 PM, Daniel Kerr wrote: >>> >>>> >>>> Hi Steven >>>> >>>> Without starting a flame war, and please realise I'm not making a dig at >>>> you, or anyone else for that matter,... >>>> But this first thing always bothers me with these printers. >>>> The amount of "good waste" that we all go through with new printers that >>>> are >>>> still good, but it's cheaper to buy a whole printer then cartridges. What >>>> it >>>> must be doing to our landfill and environment. >>>> It's unfortunate. And although we can't really lay blame. As consumer's >>>> we're always look for something cheaper, and so the manufacturer make >>>> something cheaper (then get us on the cartridges). It's the chicken and egg >>>> situation. Do we blame them for making cheaper printer, or do they blame us >>>> for asking for "cheap". >>>> I do remember not that long ago when I worked for RandomAccess (ok, yes >>>> that >>>> would be nearly 10 years,..omg that long!) when printers were in factor >>>> dearer and cartridges were cheaper. That didn't take long to change. >>>> And we see it happen with a lot of things these days. >>>> Quality used to be better and last longer. Now nearly everything is a throw >>>> away society. >>>> But I digress.... >>>> I try and keep my printers as long as possible and get the most out of >>>> them. >>>> Or pass them off to family or friends that don't have a printer (or when >>>> dies). I look at it that way, that at least I'm doing something. ;o) >>>> But yes,..it does make it very hard they way printers and cartridges work >>>> now. >>>> >>>> Again, not trying to point fingers,..just wanted to mention my view on it >>>> ;) >>>> >>>> Kind Regards >>>> Daniel >>>> >>>> >>>> On 21/10/10 7:19 PM, "Steven Knowles" <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> I like your suggestion David. Sounds sensible to me ... my understanding >>>>> is >>>>> that the manufacturers often lose, maybe break even, on the printer itself >>>>> in >>>>> cunning anticipation of making fat margins on consumables thereafter. Your >>>>> move puts a bullet in that plan! :-) >>>>> >>>>> Daniel, after your Epson recommendation I'd probably take a closer look at >>>>> Epson, but I'm all out of steam looking at printers - head is spinning. >>>>> Too >>>>> much choice. >>>>> >>>>> Marlene, I've had a mind change after taking a look at printers in a >>>>> couple >>>>> of >>>>> stores today. I've moved from Canon to HP. I came across an HP Officejet >>>>> Pro >>>>> 8500, and when lifting the lid noticed that the flatbed looked larger than >>>>> the >>>>> others. It is. The 8500 has a flatbed scanning size which accommodates >>>>> foolscap (legal) size paper. For me, that can be pretty handy at times. I >>>>> couldn't find any Canon's on display which went beyond the usual A4 size >>>>> flatbed. Bear in mind though that even if the flatbed takes only up to A4, >>>>> I >>>>> think scanning via the document feeder allows you to scan longer >>>>> documents. >>>>> My >>>>> fear with scanning via the document feeder is that if it's an important or >>>>> flimsy document, document feeders tear your original to shreds. >>>>> >>>>> The I spotted the newer 8500A. I assumed that must have a few extra >>>>> features >>>>> than the 8500, however the 8500A on display had only an A4 size flatbed. >>>>> The >>>>> Officeworks salesman claimed that that was a difference, and that if I >>>>> wanted >>>>> the bigger flatbed, I had to run with the older 8500. Coming home I've >>>>> checked >>>>> the HP web site, and not surprisingly the Officeworks salesman had it >>>>> wrong. >>>>> The 8500A comes in four different models ... the A910a, A910g & A910k >>>>> (8500A >>>>> Plus), and A910n (8500A Premium). Seems what I was looking at was the >>>>> A910a >>>>> because the A910g & A910n has the bigger flatbed. (Click here for other >>>>> differences between 8500A models). >>>>> >>>>> I came across the Officejet 7500A wide format model as well. Ability to >>>>> print >>>>> to A3 is nice, but it doesn't provide a duplexing function (ie. double >>>>> sided >>>>> printing & scanning), so that takes eliminates the 7500A for me. >>>>> >>>>> So, I'm about to go online and order the 8500A A910g from somewhere. >>>>> >>>>> Cheers, Steven >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On 21/10/2010, at 3:47 PM, David Noel wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hi, I'm not an expert here, but the last time my (inkjet) printer started >>>>>> playing up, I got a Canon MP140 Pixma from Officeworks for about $50. It >>>>>> was >>>>>> one of their cheapest, and may have been a promotion. It's behaved very >>>>>> well >>>>>> really, the scanning software is pretty intuitive and flexible, there is >>>>>> an >>>>>> Omnipage facility for character recognition. >>>>>> >>>>>> I do remember a WAMUG member who said when his inkjet printer run out of >>>>>> ink, >>>>>> he just went and bought another machine, at $50 a pop you can do this! >>>>>> Every >>>>>> time I have got a new printer, the accompanying software has been a step >>>>>> up. >>>>>> So that is a possible strategy for you, go and get the cheapest Canon >>>>>> which >>>>>> does what you want, and if it plays up, get a new one! >>>>>> >>>>>> Cheers -- >>>>>> >>>>>> David Noel >>>>>> 2010 Oct 21 >>>>>> >>>>>> ===== >>>>>> >>>>>> On 21 October 2010 12:44, Steven Knowles <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>> Hi Marlene >>>>>> >>>>>> I've had a couple of recommendations. Apparently Choice ranked most >>>>>> highly >>>>>> the Dell V715w, followed by the Lexmark IntuitionS505. I hadn't even >>>>>> thought >>>>>> about those brands. I've looked at other reviews of the V715w - seems >>>>>> that >>>>>> it's ink-hungry, and there was some mention that Dells aren't Mac >>>>>> compatible >>>>>> or Mac friendly. Plus I read Dell-branded printers are made by Lexmark. >>>>>> Who >>>>>> knows, but too many negative review for me to get comfortable. >>>>>> >>>>>> What I've decided to do is run with Canon. Big name, big range, >>>>>> Mac-friendly >>>>>> I'm told, and generally positive reviews on most models. I don't know >>>>>> what >>>>>> model yet, Canon told me Harvey Norman have the largest range on show, so >>>>>> I'll drop into Harvey Norman today perhaps to see if I can find something >>>>>> which does what I need, including double-sided printing and scanning, >>>>>> wireless. Then I'l ring around for the best deal. Harris Technologies has >>>>>> always been very competitive. Don't know what it's like these days. >>>>>> >>>>>> From what I've read in reviews, the Canon Pixma range ranks highly, so I >>>>>> think you're on the right track. >>>>>> >>>>>> Cheers, Steven >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On 21/10/2010, at 12:08 PM, Marlene Oostryck wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Hi Steven >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I'm glad you asked your "dumb" question as I too have been looking at >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> shops recently with a view to purchasing a Multi-function printer - so I >>>>>>> am >>>>>>> looking at the responses you get. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> There is just such a huge range out there and it is so hard to decide >>>>>>> what >>>>>>> is right. All the retail "experts" have a different view! - and not many >>>>>>> know what works well with Macs. >>>>>>> I want my printer mainly for black and white text printing for home use >>>>>>> - >>>>>>> (photo prints I do at Harvey Norman). I also want to scan and copy. >>>>>>> Don't >>>>>>> need the fax. I will use usb connection. >>>>>>> The main concern is best value for ink useage and the recommendations >>>>>>> seem >>>>>>> to be - go for a middle range (better value ink cartridges). >>>>>>> I know laser printers are better value re ink - but the footprint is too >>>>>>> large for my desk - so inkjet is the way I will go. >>>>>>> I'm considering a Canon Pixma MP560 - but would love some personal >>>>>>> recommendations from WAMUG users. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Office Works have some good deals now, and JB Hi-Fi are offering 50% off >>>>>>> ink >>>>>>> (limit of 3) with a printer purchase. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Good hunting, Steven! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Regards >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Marlene >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On 20/10/2010, at 10:32 AM, Steven Knowles wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> At risk of asking a dumb question due to the multitude of options, I >>>>>>>> need >>>>>>>> to grab a (preferably wireless but can hook into TC if not) >>>>>>>> multifunction >>>>>>>> office printer / scanner. Not so bothered about a fax function - who >>>>>>>> uses >>>>>>>> fax these days - but it'll probably have that anyway. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Printing volume will be minimal, so will scanning for that matter, but >>>>>>>> just >>>>>>>> need one around since my HP Officejet 7210 died. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Interested in views on the best Mac-friendly brand available at the >>>>>>>> moment. >>>>>>>> Anyone know what Choice recommended in their Multifunction printer >>>>>>>> report? >>>>>>>> I'll buy it if not. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Cheers, Steven > > > > > -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- > Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> > Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> > Unsubscribe - <mailto:[email protected]> > --- Daniel Kerr MacWizardry Phone: 0414 795 960 Email: <daniel @ macwizardry . com . au> Web: <http://www.macwizardry.com.au> **For everything Macintosh** -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> Unsubscribe - <mailto:[email protected]>
