Hey, sorry if this isn’t the right place to ask this (feel free to show me the way). I want to get myself a printer that can also scan. Main purpose is to not have endless sheets of paper laying around, but to scan Documents I recieve and then throwing them away so that I only have them digitally and can print stuff out only when I need them. Now I know that printers are the worst piece of hardware known to man and my needs not office-level.It doesn’t have to have any more buttons or features than are needed to scan a doublesided document and print them, without clogging/eating paper, and print black and white text without complaining about being low on yellow ink.
So my question generally is: what is the most minimalist, non-bullshit printer/scanner that I could get? But since all my devices run Linux I figured I’d just ask this here. Are there any big issues I have to look out for? Brands to avoid? (i.e nvidia being a no go for a lot of linux users) Preferably
I’ve had my MX490 for 2 years and i think it works pretty well. Generally speaking, the CUPS setup is far easier with Airprint printers so if you’re interested in that I’d pick up a printer that supports AirPrint. Arch wiki has more info on set up it needed
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What’s the make/model?
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I’ve had fantastic luck with a Brother MFC b&w laser. Aftermarket toner cartridges are $20 and last a ridiculously long time. The wifi is jank so I’d recommend keeping it connected to your computer via USB, but I was able to get it running on a CUPS server via a Pi easily enough, and brother does make Linux drivers available.
I have a Brother MFC Color Laser and everything here is true for the color version as well. I haven’t had too many issues with wifi jank after I set a static ip both on the router side and the printer side, and then map the printer by ip port on the computer. However, it still acts up every now and then. I plan on fishing some ethernet to that corner of the office, but haven’t gotten around to it yet.
I know this isn’t what you asked but just have the documents sent to you electronically and cut out the middleman while saving some trees! You can also send them electronically if required. Paper is so 1980’s.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll make sure to do this where possible :)
Everyone is saying Brother, and I’ll echo that. I want to add that I’m fond of their EcoTank line; there’re all-in-one scanner/printers, but also they refill with liquid ink (as opposed to cartridges) and are super cost-effective as a result. I really like our’s, and we’ve had it for two years; the next time I run out of ink on the Canon inkjet we (also) have, I’m just going to replace it with another EcoTank instead of buying more cartidges.
EcoTank is Epson, and Canon also has a similar MegaTank line. Unfortunately Brother has no tank-based printer (that I’m aware of).
Oh! Shit, you’re right! Sorry.
That said, it worked OOTB with our Linux machines, incl scanning.
All-time classic Verge article on this subject:
https://www.theverge.com/23642073/best-printer-2023-brother-laser-wi-fi-its-fine