[solofx7]

I have the following needs for a Multifunction machine.
Good fast printing
Faxing
Copying
Good ink use
preferably smaller to fit on a desk
it need to work with the New Airport Extreme.
Any suggestions? I may have other needs, but these are all that I can think of at the moment.

[solofx7]

Originally Posted by solofx7 

I have the following needs for a Multifunction machine.
Good fast printing
Faxing
Copying
Good ink use
preferably smaller to fit on a desk
it need to work with the New Airport Extreme.
Any suggestions? I may have other needs, but these are all that I can think of at the moment.

any thoughts...

[rjt1000]

Some of the issues for you to consider:

Inkjet vs. Laser: Inkjet is cheaper, but the output is not as good. Also inkjets get clogged if you dont use it regularly. Laser cartridges are more costly but last longer.

Color vs. Black & White: Color laser is still kinda pricey. Color inkjet is cheap. If you print a lot of photos, a separate dye sublimation printer will give you better results. (small sizes are now inexpensive, although the media will cost as much as the photo store).

Duplex or not: If you do a lot of printing, duplex (printing on both sides of a page) will save you half on paper. But it adds complexity, size and cost.

Where to buy: I like to buy things like this at Costco, where there is a total satisfaction guarantee (3 months on computer equipment, no limit on other items). In other words, it doesnt have to be defective to return it. Since you wont really know how satisfied you are until you use it, this is a very valuable option. You bring it home, try it out and if you are not totally satisfied you bring it back for a refund--all you need to say is "I am not satisfied" Find a dealer like Costco where you can do this and you will be sure to be happy with your purchase.

Which brand: I have had two recent Brother B&W laser multifunction machines that I bought at Costco. Both were great. I sold the first and bought the second, only because I wanted Duplex. MFC-7820N, MFC-8660DN (Duplex). The first is smaller (actually shorter). They both print fast.

Compatability. Make sure it says it has OS X drivers and that it has Bonjour (previously called Rendezvous) and it should be a no hassle setup with airport extreme. I have used both Brother multifunction printers mentioned with my airport extreme router (flying saucer model) using the USB connection and had no problems for all the uses you mention. (I have not used the scanning mode and so can't attest to that). (one caveat, I didnt install all of the software, just the printer drivers, then used the printer setup utility which immediately found the printer using Bonjour)

Good luck.

[solofx7]

Originally Posted by rjt1000 

Some of the issues for you to consider:

Inkjet vs. Laser: Inkjet is cheaper, but the output is not as good. Also inkjets get clogged if you dont use it regularly. Laser cartridges are more costly but last longer.

Color vs. Black & White: Color laser is still kinda pricey. Color inkjet is cheap. If you print a lot of photos, a separate dye sublimation printer will give you better results. (small sizes are now inexpensive, although the media will cost as much as the photo store).

Duplex or not: If you do a lot of printing, duplex (printing on both sides of a page) will save you half on paper. But it adds complexity, size and cost.

Where to buy: I like to buy things like this at Costco, where there is a total satisfaction guarantee (3 months on computer equipment, no limit on other items). In other words, it doesnt have to be defective to return it. Since you wont really know how satisfied you are until you use it, this is a very valuable option. You bring it home, try it out and if you are not totally satisfied you bring it back for a refund--all you need to say is "I am not satisfied" Find a dealer like Costco where you can do this and you will be sure to be happy with your purchase.

Which brand: I have had two recent Brother B&W laser multifunction machines that I bought at Costco. Both were great. I sold the first and bought the second, only because I wanted Duplex. MFC-7820N, MFC-8660DN (Duplex). The first is smaller (actually shorter). They both print fast.

Compatability. Make sure it says it has OS X drivers and that it has Bonjour (previously called Rendezvous) and it should be a no hassle setup with airport extreme. I have used both Brother multifunction printers mentioned with my airport extreme router (flying saucer model) using the USB connection and had no problems for all the uses you mention. (I have not used the scanning mode and so can't attest to that). (one caveat, I didnt install all of the software, just the printer drivers, then used the printer setup utility which immediately found the printer using Bonjour)

Good luck.

thanks. i have been looking around and most sites do not tell if they were bojour compatible.

[peeb]

Come on - there must be some more model recommendations guys!

[anthology123]

You need to read the documentation carefully on the Airport Extreme. They promised printing ability before, but did not have scanning or fax options available. You are talking about using an AIO on the AE base station USB port, right? In the previous iteration of AE base station, it only supported printing that way, none of the other AIO functions would work. Maybe that's changed with the new AE, but make sure that's the case.

[solofx7]

i just need to be able to print wireless. the other functions of the multi-function i will get up for.

[anthology123]

Then you should be fine with the AE Base station.

[mduell]

If you buy an AIO with built in networking, then you can use the other features (scanning, faxing) over the network. HP makes some nice AIOs with built in networking. And then you can buy a non-Apple wifi AP.