scottfromniceville

Q: Printer recommendation for iMac

I bought an Epson Workforce 630 when I got my iMac about 5 years ago based on suggestions that Epson printers were more compatible with iMac than other brands.  While I've been moderately satisfied with it, the printer's SCAN button hasn't worked for some time due to a "communication error" (I can still scan using the Epson app on my iMac) and now getting a red exclamation mark from the printer icon when I print although it still prints fine so thinking it's time for a replacement.  I want a color printer to print/scan/copy for home use.  Wireless isn't necessary.  The most recent post I could find on this question was Nov 2013 and suggested going with a laser printer as cheaper in the long run.  I'm running El Capitan ver 10.11.6 on a mid 2011 iMac with 2.7 Ghz Intel i5.  Your suggestions will certainly be appreciated.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.1)

Posted on Sep 16, 2016 3:49 AM

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Q: Printer recommendation for iMac

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  • by Paul_31,Helpful

    Paul_31 Paul_31 Sep 19, 2016 2:11 PM in response to scottfromniceville
    Level 6 (13,925 points)
    Sep 19, 2016 2:11 PM in response to scottfromniceville

    Over time I've had Epson, Brother and currently Hewlett Packard printers. Generally they have all been pretty equal in performance, reliability and cost or consumables. I'm currently using an HP4500 series printer, which performs very well and has no problem serving two iMacs, 2 iPads and 2 iPhones. It has the advantage of having built-in Airprint which makes printing from the iDevices (if you have any) easy-peasy.

  • by woodmeister50,Helpful

    woodmeister50 woodmeister50 Sep 19, 2016 2:11 PM in response to scottfromniceville
    Level 5 (5,542 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 19, 2016 2:11 PM in response to scottfromniceville

    H-P seems to support their printers longer than the other

    popular brands in terms of drivers for OS changes.  Probably due

    to their large presence in businesses, which don't like updating things

    such as printers.

     

    So, if expecting to keep a printer for a long time, something to

    consider.

  • by pokey b,

    pokey b pokey b Sep 16, 2016 6:47 AM in response to scottfromniceville
    Level 3 (599 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 16, 2016 6:47 AM in response to scottfromniceville

    I've had a Canon & a variety of HP printers over the years (even an Apple printer at one time) and all have worked well for me (with the exception of a low end HP that was free when I purchased my current i-Mac, I guess I know why). Currently I have an HP 8620, all-in-one that is great (it is also wireless). Had it a couple of years, was approx $150 new, I think I've seen them for about $100 recently. I think the ink is fairly expensive at approx $100 for a full set of XL (large capacity) cartridges. But that seems to be the way ink jets are today.

  • by scottfromniceville,

    scottfromniceville scottfromniceville Sep 19, 2016 2:13 PM in response to scottfromniceville
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 19, 2016 2:13 PM in response to scottfromniceville

    Thank you all.  Sounds like about any printer will work based on a little research. 

  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Sep 19, 2016 3:56 PM in response to scottfromniceville
    Level 9 (58,598 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Sep 19, 2016 3:56 PM in response to scottfromniceville

    scottfromniceville wrote:

     

    Thank you all.  Sounds like about any printer will work based on a little research.

    Not any, however just about all new printers will work.  You need to determine for yourself what your needs are. Do you need color, do you need speed, how much printing do you anticipate, is scanning and copying needed, is Wi-Fi useful etc.... Everyone's needs are different, take some time to think then shop for something that comes close to filling those needs. Also look at consumable availability, cost per page, etc...