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" <emai...@knowles.net.au> 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" <emai...@knowles.net.au> 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 <emai...@knowles.net.au> 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:wamug-unsubscr...@wamug.org.au>
