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motoyen · Feb 5, 2008, 08:02 AM

My printer crapped out on me and I need to replace it ASAP. I'm looking for a multi function inkjet, scan/copy/print that is compatible with 10.5 and Airport Express.

My previous model was a Lexmark and I wasn't too happy with their Mac OSX driver support. Price isn't a concern so which printer would you suggest has the best OSX support and would meet all my needs?

Thanks

mduell · Feb 5, 2008, 10:09 AM

The only way you're going to get scanning over the network is with a printer with ethernet instead of USB into the Airport Express. But since the Airport Express only has one ethernet jack, you're out of luck. You could buy a $45 wifi router with more ethernet ports (and just wire the Airport Express to it for music or whatever) and then get an ethernet printer/scanner/copier.

naphtali · Feb 5, 2008, 10:16 AM

Would it work if he got a network hub to split that one ethernet port on the Airport Express? Might be cheaper than getting a whole new wireless router

OreoCookie · 10:30 AM

… or an ethernet switch.
If you do a lot of scanning, in particular of letters and papers, I suggest you take a printer that scans directly to pdf.

motoyen · Feb 5, 2008, 11:20 AM

I dont do a lot if scanning but I print quite a bit. So am looking for decent wireless options, airport or bluetooth. My computer is a Macbook.

OreoCookie · Feb 5, 2008, 11:51 AM

Forget about Bluetooth.
If you don't scan a lot, I suggest the following solution: use the solution you want as a wireless printer and connect via USB if you want to use its scanner. I suggest you have a look at Canon for inkjets and Brother if you want a laser printer. I'd advise you to get a laser, unless you really, really need color.

HP's software sucks big time, I mean it (my parents have a HP POS multifunction thingi).

mduell · Feb 5, 2008, 01:20 PM

It's not going to work plugging a switch into the Airport Express if he's using the Airport Express as a router. You can buy a wired router pretty cheaply.

The networked HP AIOs have a web interface that works well for scanning.

Big Mac · Feb 5, 2008, 01:31 PM

I recommend Canon. If there's any chance to get Mac network scanning support, Canon's drivers are probably a best bet. I wish I had switched to Canon inkjets years ago because I'm very happy with mine.

ginoledesma · Feb 5, 2008, 01:39 PM

Your other alternative is getting a printer that has WiFi support built-in. Brother makes a number of wireless multi-function printers that should fit the bill (e.g. MFC-665CW, MFC-685CW, MFC-865CW). Wireless printing and scanning works pretty well. I'm not too fond of inkjet printers when it comes to lots of printing, but it is pretty decent.

I think it works with Apple's Image Capture remote scanning in Leopard, but I haven't tried it myself. Brother provides their own Leopard-compatible software, so it isn't too much of an issue. You can scan and send to a remote device from within the printer itself, which is an added bonus in a multi-computer setup.

motoyen · Feb 7, 2008, 03:32 AM

Thanks for the tips everyone.

obelix112za · Mar 7, 2008, 09:27 AM

HP C6180

Great printer, I have two Mac's, both on Leopard, printer is behind me, away from my Mac's. Print & scan wirelessly.

Really good buy!!!

CharlesS · Mar 7, 2008, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

It's not going to work plugging a switch into the Airport Express if he's using the Airport Express as a router.

Why not?

mduell · Mar 7, 2008, 10:47 PM

Because the switch would be on the WAN side of the router instead of the LAN side.

CharlesS · Mar 7, 2008, 11:09 PM

It doesn't have an Ethernet port on the LAN side?

How do they justify charging twice as much for it as for a Linksys router with an integrated 5-port switch?

mduell · Mar 8, 2008, 01:33 AM

Originally Posted by CharlesS

It doesn't have an Ethernet port on the LAN side?

How do they justify charging twice as much for it as for a Linksys router with an integrated 5-port switch?

No, it doesn't. But it does have AirTunes and a USB port for printers, so people pay out the nose for them.

Almost forgot to mention, it's waaaaaaaay cute.

vargavision · Mar 19, 2008, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by motoyen

My printer crapped out on me and I need to replace it ASAP. I'm looking for a multi function inkjet, scan/copy/print that is compatible with 10.5 and Airport Express.

My previous model was a Lexmark and I wasn't too happy with their Mac OSX driver support. Price isn't a concern so which printer would you suggest has the best OSX support and would meet all my needs?

Thanks

Don't waste your money if you don't have to. It may be a simple procedure to check your system preferences and to enter the IP number of your printer, install the latest drivers and restart your computer.