MAC COMPATABLE WIRELESS PRINTER ?

465

Can someone please recomend a decent wireless printer for the I.Mac? preferably one with availability of compatable cartridges.

naasrd

I use the HP Photosmart C4585

465

Would I be correct in assuming that virtually all printers nowadays are also Mac compatible?
What about the Epson Stylus SX515W?

BrookieD

Brother 6490CW

Your always taking a risk however with 3rd party ink carts. If your product delvelopes a printing failure related to the carts your warranty is void.
YES we can tell in a heart beat and charge for repairs

Sad Professor

From personal experience, I wouldn't recommend HP. I've the C4580. It works, but I had an absolute nightmare setting it up wirelessly - and I could never get the scanner to work properly. HP's Mac software is utter sh*t.

naasrd

Sad Professor wrote: »

From personal experience, I wouldn't recommend HP. I've the C4580. It works, but I had an absolute nightmare setting it up wirelessly - and I could never get the scanner to work properly. HP's Mac software is utter sh*t.

True enough, my scanner's taken on a life of it's own, have given up trying to use it.

mathepac

Sad Professor wrote: »

... HP's Mac software is utter sh*t.

A bit weird that as like most mainstream consumer-level printer manufacturers, HP's printing software is released via Apple's OS. Since Apple purchased CUPS in 2007, they have integrated it into OS releases and it seldom misses a beat (or a printer ) IME.

For scanning I've been using VUESCAN for years (it works with 100's of film and flat-bed scanners) and I normally just upgrade as (normally free) updates are released.

For image editing etc. I use PhotoShop (I hate Adobe, their arrogance, their products and their crappy update processes, but better the divil you know, etc.). If I have a major sulk with Adobe ( a frequent occurrence) I revert to using the freebie GIMP for Mac OS X. Please read the documentation first as you may need to install more than just the app.

For storing / retrieving / archiving images I use iPhoto.

Allin all for a simple life my default is to just recycle the CD in the printer box and let my other stuff do the job its there to do.

BTW, if someone wants a wireless printer and has an AirPort Extreme (or similar) wireless router in the house, just plug the printer into the appropriate port on the router and set it up to be shared by network users. Bingo!

Sad Professor

mathepac wrote: »

A bit weird that as like most mainstream consumer-level printer manufacturers, HP's printing software is released via Apple's OS. Since Apple purchased CUPS in 2007, they have integrated it into OS releases and it seldom misses a beat (or a printer ) IME.

For scanning I've been using http://www.hamrick.com/ for years (it works with 100's of film and flat-bed scanners) and I normally just upgrade as (normally free) updates are released.

Well, I should clarify that I've never had a problem printing via USB to any printer on a Mac, including HP. Most of my problems have been with HP's scanners and their dodgy wireless all-in-ones, and the rubbish that they try to install alongside the drivers. I detest all third-party background applications, but HP's are particularly nasty.

I've been using Vuescan for years as well. Great software, but it really shouldn't be necessary. HP's scanner software just doesn't seem to work from what I can see.

cyberspi

LOVE my hp photosmart premium, love even more that I got it half price in soundstore a while back worked wirelessly without any issues practically out of the box

jakdublin

I'm using a wireless Brother DCP-750CW for the past couple of years. Never had a bit of trouble with it. But like others said, most brands are Mac compatible these days.

vinnycoyne

Moved from Apple Media Devices

465

Has anyone tried /can recomend an Epson?
They seem to be good regarding compatible cartridges.

big_moe

totally agree on HP being hassle with wireless, nightmare to setup and then the software is kack as well. im a Canon man and havent had any issues with my Canon printer on my macs

465

That's good to know, as Canon seem to be pretty good too regarding compatible cartridges.
Any Espon users out there?

flywheel

incase anyone else reading this is just after a B&W laser wireless option this one worked great from Mac (and PC) once configured...

Brother HL-2170W - Printer - B/W

Inspector Gadget

When it comes to network printers, an honest-to-goodness printer (as opposed to a multifunction device (printer/scanner/fax/photocopier) is usually a safer option as the drivers are more straightforward. Plus, the usefulness of a network scanner/photocopier is pretty limited.

Personally, given the choice, I'd stick to a USB cable or to a proper network printer - depending on your setup, it may be just as easy to use a wired ethernet one (if the printer's to be located near your hub or somewhere close enough to be wired); if not, there are probably wireless ones out there, or you could just use a wireless bridge. AIOs (all-in-ones; multifunction devices) tend to be less reliable overall, and when one bit fails, you're tempted to chuck the whole thing, whereas with individual devices you can be more selective. Plus the built-in device drivers tend to work better with single-function devices in my experience

Gadget

465

I understand your point.
However I think I should explain what I am doing.
I'm am actually looking for one as a gift for my sister who spend a tonne on a 27" wireless Apple imac(and is really happy with it)
She will probably want and use a printer and scanner quite often so rather then buying each devise seperately an all in one seems the better way to go.

I'm not a mac user at all so I don't know anything about them.

big_moe

i didnt buy the canon wireless printer as its only available as a multifunction. i bought a non-wireless canon printer-only (better quality) and have it connected thru my time capsule to make it wireless. my mate bought the canon multifunction wireless and i set it up for him and its dead easy to use.

Inspector Gadget

If your sister has any specific printing habits (for example, large text documents, photos) it'd probably be advisable to buy the printer to suit the task.

Long text documents (or lots of short ones) would be better served by a laser. They're not wildly expensive these days, and the print is much sharper and professional looking (in my opinion) than what most inkjets can muster (most inkjet blacks, excluding so-called "pigment" blacks, are actually very dark blues and browns. Even then, the laser output is pin sharp and doesn't bleed on regular office/photocopier paper)

If she prints lots of photos, then something with good paper handling options, as many separate ink tanks as possible is good, and look at projected printing habits.

If a printer is likely to be used only very occasionally, a HP or Lexmark might be a better bet as if it dries out, it can usually be brought back to life by simply replacing the print cartridges. Not as easy on integrated-head printer designs when the ink dries up inside them.

(Canons, Epsons and Kodaks have the print heads built in to the printer, meaning you only pay for the ink receptacles; HPs and Lexmarks, on the other hand, integrate the heads into the cartridges, making the cartridges themselves more expensive. The tradeoff is that the cartridges with the integrated heads act "like new" when you replace them, because, well, they are (as I've mentioned above); the other types will typically need more cleaning, because of the longer path from ink receptacle to print head, and because the same head is used for every cartridgeload of ink.)

If she prints all the time, or at the very least say once every week or two, then a printer using the cheaper ink-only cartridges would be good. Look for models using fade-resistant inks like Epson's Claria or HP's Vivera, and one with at least four separate ink tanks; that way, each colour can be replaced separately, while not throwing away good ink as happens with combination "full" colour cartridges. It can also allow for such niceties as having two blacks; dye (for photos) and pigment (for documents).

Last, and least likely, would be if she needs to print stuff wider than about 20cm; then she'd need a wide format printer.

Dunno if this is all overkill or not.
Gadget