I currently have an Epson ET-2760 which has stopped working after 2+ years. I use the printer a few times a month for printing, scanning and copying. Any recommendations for a home printer that is necessary but used infrequently?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.3
I do not need color, so I always buy Laser printers. The first one I got lasted for about 10 years (first at my house, and then at my Mom's). The 2nd laser printer replaced the first after 2 years (because I needed an excuse to get a new printer, and giving the 1st to my Mom was how I did it 😁 ). The 2nd printer lasted about 10 years as well, with the first 8 at my house, and then at my Mom's because the first finally died at Mom's. The 3rd laser printer was a multi-function (printer, scanner, FAX, copier) and that lasted about 12 years until lightning got it. I am on my 4th laser printer, which is also a multi-function printer.
All of them supported PostScript, which means at the worst I could use a generic postscript driver. The last 2 multi-function printers supported "AirPrint" and that made life so much simpler not having to deal with vendor drivers, or the vendor abandoning the printer.
The 1st 3 were HP printers, because I was an HP employee or retiree, and I got an employee discount on the printer and the toner. The 4th is a Brother because HP started to be a pain about ONLY using HP toner. Although this past week, it looks like Brother is going to go down the same lock-in path 😩
So if you are looking for something that gives you long life, get a laser printer that supports AirPrint.
I do not need color, so I always buy Laser printers. The first one I got lasted for about 10 years (first at my house, and then at my Mom's). The 2nd laser printer replaced the first after 2 years (because I needed an excuse to get a new printer, and giving the 1st to my Mom was how I did it 😁 ). The 2nd printer lasted about 10 years as well, with the first 8 at my house, and then at my Mom's because the first finally died at Mom's. The 3rd laser printer was a multi-function (printer, scanner, FAX, copier) and that lasted about 12 years until lightning got it. I am on my 4th laser printer, which is also a multi-function printer.
All of them supported PostScript, which means at the worst I could use a generic postscript driver. The last 2 multi-function printers supported "AirPrint" and that made life so much simpler not having to deal with vendor drivers, or the vendor abandoning the printer.
The 1st 3 were HP printers, because I was an HP employee or retiree, and I got an employee discount on the printer and the toner. The 4th is a Brother because HP started to be a pain about ONLY using HP toner. Although this past week, it looks like Brother is going to go down the same lock-in path 😩
So if you are looking for something that gives you long life, get a laser printer that supports AirPrint.
I highly recommend reading MrHoffman's User Tip Which Printer Should I Buy? - Apple Community.
It asks all the same questions BobTheFisherman asked, and more. Only you can answer them. I also happen to agree with his recommendations.
You absolutely want AirPrint support, whatever printer you pick.
New2021MacAirUser wrote:
I currently have an Epson ET-2760 which has stopped working after 2+ years. I use the printer a few times a month for printing, scanning and copying. Any recommendations for a home printer that is necessary but used infrequently?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
That would depend on your printing needs which we do not know. Find a printer that meets all your needs then check on the manufacturer's site for compatibility with your computer/operating system.
Paper size
Color/black and white only
Laser/inkjet/etc
Paper feed location
Two sided printing
Card stock
Photo quality
Physical size
Speed
Connectivity
etc.
BobHarris wrote:
...Although this past week, it looks like Brother is going to go down the same lock-in path 😩
Brother denies that a toner lock-in is happening, per Ars:
Given it's somehow all based on a Reddit post from 2022?
BobHarris wrote:
I do not need color, so I always buy Laser printers. The first one I got lasted for about 10 years (first at my house, and then at my Mom's).
The first one I got lasted over thirty years, and cost about $8,000.
Apple no longer makes them 😄
Good to know, thanks. If Brother went to the dark side of relying upon ink sales then all I'd have left would be my ImageWriters, which stubbornly refuse to die (but require an older Mac as a print server).
I even constructed a rudimentary re-inker for the ribbons, which you can still find, though that's becoming difficult.
My Brother printers (laser and inkjet) are closing in on the LaserWriter's longevity.
Best printer recommendations for MacBook Air
