Just tell me what to buy & where to get it...print, scan, copy printer for iMac

[Sooz]

My old faithful HPPhotoSmart Plus (it's connected to my iMac and is *not* wireless) is going belly-up with its black ink abilities.  I've done all the troubleshooting that I've been able to find on line, and the black ink only prints when in the "photo" setting.
 
Old Faithful's scanning and then printing? It scans, but there's no ink so it prints a blank page, even when I had it selected for Photo printing.
Printing photos -- ok for now.
Printing documents? The Print dialogue has to be in the photo paper setting. Choosing BEST in the Print dialogue box means it doesn't print anything but spits out a blank page, so I have to choose Photo from the Print dialogue box.

I need a simple and reliable printer, scanner, and copier all in one.
A *bonus* would be NOT WIRELESS, please!
I don't really want to spend more than $130 if possible.
Easy for me is getting it through Costco or Amazon, but everything I look at touts being wireless--and many reviews state how difficult it was for them to do the wireless connection, i.e. hours on the phone, etc.
Everything I look at has been wireless, wireless, wireless.  I'm nervous about wireless.

Any recommendations for a tried and true, reliable, "wired to my computer" printer that also scans and makes copies?  Payday is in a few days, so hooray I guess. 

Thanks!
Smiles,
Sooz

[Xairbusdriver]

Check the specs. Most "wireless" printers simply means wireless "capable" not that it is only wireless.

You mention "ink" so I assume you mean the (liquid) cartridge type and not the toner-based, laser variety. Likewise, if it has a "photo" option, I assume you mean it prints in color.

It sounds like your most important criteria is price. Correct?

I favor Canon over Epson now. Just search for some models (either brand) and give us that info. From that we can make some recommendations.

BTW, do you have any iDevices? I think you have an iMac, how about any kind of Mac Book?

Lastly, don't fear "wireless", it's no harder to set up than wired and you don't have anything for a "helper" to "shake loose"!

[Sooz]

Hi, Jim,

Thanks for the input! I should have made the subject say: What's a good printer/scanner/copier that is NOT wireless and not pricey!  LOLAM

When I read the specs on the printers at the Costco, Amazon, or Best Buy (it's local), it all says wireless... I haven't seen anything that says "wireless capable."

You're right, I do use the liquid cartridges in cyan, magenta, yellow and black (HP 564 from Costco).  Yes, the photo option prints in color, as does any Word document that may have a picture embedded in it.

Price is always an important criteria for all of us I believe.    I don't want to drop a couple hundred dollars... my current printer cost me something around $70 and has been reliable and suited my needs wonderfully.

The only iDevices I have are my iPhone 7 and my old Kindle Fire.

I do fear "wireless" -- you know how I am about technology!!

I'll begin my search for Canon and Epson and come back and post again, probably tomorrow or maybe Wed due to medical and dental stuff I need to do Tues.

Thanks again!!!!!!

 

[Highmac]

Haven't bought a printer for a while but mine has USB as well as Bluetooth. I would guess most on the market would still feature USB. Just check the specs or ask the vendor. Good luck 

[Xairbusdriver]

It won't say "wireless capable", that's not 'market talk'. They want to emphasize the fact that they can be used wirelessly. Frankly, 'wireless' is the simplest method of connecting and it will allow you to even print from your iPhone... wirelessly! Most people today actually use tablets/laptops/smart phones now so they don't want to be tied to a wire or even a particular room just to print something. But I seriously doubt you can find any "wireless" printer that does not have a wire socket, most likely USB. But that's why we are asking you to check the specs... not just the marketing materials. I'd go directly to the manufactures sites. Costco/Sam's are only interested in prices and sales, they could care less about what you actually need. We're not interested in what the sales folks are saying. As Sargent Friday supposedly said, "Just the facts, ma'am."

[jwboyd]

Jim speaks words of wisdom. I know of no printers that are "wireless only." I am happy with my HP ENVY 5540, which is cabled (USB) to my computer and can print, copy, and scan in black and/or color. I have never tried to use it wirelessly, nor do I have any need to do so. FWIW

Joe

[Xairbusdriver]

[he] speaks words of wisdom

I don't resemble that description but I did go to school with a guy whose family name was Wisdom! He and his Dad were both doctors and I gave the senior one my appendix. The younger one most got pieces of my mind...

[Sooz]

Thanks for the input, Neil.
Joe, I happened to be looking at the ENVY. 
Jim, you're too funny! Your wife must totally enjoy that you won't have to ever worry about your appendix or the pieces of your mind!   

[Paddy]

I wouldn't get an HP. The ink is too expensive. Sorry...but there is far less third party ink available for them (because the print head is IN the cartridge). The ink will cost you far, far more than the printer. Even at Costco, the price of HP ink is ludicrous.

My last two printers - an inkjet and a B&W laser, both of which print, scan and copy, are Brother. I'm totally sold on them. Bought one for the Historical Society too (I'm on the board). A number of years ago a very knowledgeable sales person at Staples (yes, definitely a rarity) told me not to buy the HP I was then contemplating and told me to wait a couple of days for the Brother printers to go on sale - that I'd save a bundle on the consumables. He was absolutely right. There are some very good 3rd party inks - and even Brother's own ink is about half the cost of HP's (if you do the math by number of pages). And the third party ink on Amazon, which gets good reviews, is half of that. (so a quarter of what the HP ink costs for the same number of pages)

Anyway - something to think about.

Here's one option:

https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Wireless-MFC-J895DW-Multi-function-Replenishment/dp/B07CCDVN8W/ref=sr_1_4?

[Sooz]

Paddy, thanks so much for the info, the link, and especially for the redirect about ink costs!

Medical stuff and dental stuff taken care of for now (cross fingers, hold a good thought please).  It's lucky for me Costco, Target, WalMart, and Best Buy are all within about half a mile from one another, so late this afternoon, I looked at HP, I looked at Epson, I looked at Canon, I looked at Brother... and ended up liking the Brother. 

Thank you all for your awesome-as-always help and encouragement! Hopefully all will go well when I actually make the purchase and attempt to hook it up. 

Smiles,
Sooz

[Highmac]

You're more than welcome, Sooz; there's always someone here who - even if they can't help at that moment - is willing to give words of encouragement until an expert comes along.

Remember the TS motto: There's no such thing as a stupid question... and folks will confirm I've proved the truth of that on many occasions   

[Sooz]

Neil, everyone here has always been so helpful and patient with me! I've been coming here for help, for years (I think I was Member #35, if you take a ride on the way way back machine! ha ha).

Love the TS motto!

Smiles,
Sooz