Small footprint multifunction printer/copier/fax unit

[Top Spin]

I need a small footprint combination printer/copier for my second
office. I would appreciate any suggestions or recommendations.

It will be fairly low volume -- probably less than a hundred
pages/month including both printing and copying.

My desired features in order of importance are:

1. Printer and copier function. Fax and scanner would be great, but
not required.

2. Small footprint. Maybe one of those "vertical" units. It will
probably have to sit on the top of a bookcase.

3. Sheet feeder for up to 20 pages or so. It would be great if it also
had a way to copy material that can't go through the sheet feeder, but
that may not be possible with the small footprint.

4. Simplicity. This will be used for printing short documents (up to
7-8 pages) and making a few copies.

5. Connectivity. I will be printing from my laptop running Windows
2000 and Office 2000 (soon to upgrade to Windows XP and Office XP).
I could connect a parallel cable, but IR would be a bit easier. Or are
all of the printers these days connecting via USB?

Should I be looking at lasers or inkjets?

Cost is not important.

What's the difference between inkjet and thermal inkjet?

Are there any review sites that are reliable? I've check a few, but
they all seem tied to a retailer, which makes them suspect.

Thanks for any help.

--
Using an HP Laserjet 5000N
PC: HP Omnibook 6000
OS: Win 2K SP-4 (5.00.2195)
Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
(11/03/04)

 

[Top Spin]

I need a small footprint combination printer/copier for my second
office. I would appreciate any suggestions or recommendations.

PS: I forgot to say that color is not important. B&W is OK.

--
Using an HP Laserjet 5000N
PC: HP Omnibook 6000
OS: Win 2K SP-4 (5.00.2195)
Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
(11/03/04)

 

[Ron]

I need a small footprint combination printer/copier for my second
office. I would appreciate any suggestions or recommendations.

It will be fairly low volume -- probably less than a hundred
pages/month including both printing and copying.

My desired features in order of importance are:

1. Printer and copier function. Fax and scanner would be great, but
not required.

2. Small footprint. Maybe one of those "vertical" units. It will
probably have to sit on the top of a bookcase.

This will be difficult as most multifunction printers now go with the
flatbed scanners rather than a "sheet-fed" type. Probably because you can
scan 3-D objects as well. If small footprint is a very high priority, you're
most like going to have to give up on any flatbed types. I have a Canon
MP360 but it's huge compared to others. I also have a HP OfficeJet 4215
which has the P/C/S/F functions. It also has the ability to print out some
decent photos. And it has a "smallish" footprint. This might be the ticket
for you.

3. Sheet feeder for up to 20 pages or so. It would be great if it also
had a way to copy material that can't go through the sheet feeder, but
that may not be possible with the small footprint.

Nope. Forget 3D object scanning if you want small footprint.

4. Simplicity. This will be used for printing short documents (up to
7-8 pages) and making a few copies.

5. Connectivity. I will be printing from my laptop running Windows
2000 and Office 2000 (soon to upgrade to Windows XP and Office XP).
I could connect a parallel cable, but IR would be a bit easier. Or are
all of the printers these days connecting via USB?

You're really starting to limit yourself if you must have LPT connectivity.
The HP4215 has USB 2.0 only.

Should I be looking at lasers or inkjets?

The laser jets I've seen are MONSTERS relative to the size I think you're
looking for. Could your HP laser sit on top of the bookshelf you have in
mind? Look at this site and tell me if these have a "small" footprint in
your opinion.

http://reviews.cnet.com/Printers/4521-6528_7-5021406-4.html?tag=subnav

 

[Top Spin]

This will be difficult as most multifunction printers now go with the
flatbed scanners rather than a "sheet-fed" type. Probably because you can
scan 3-D objects as well. If small footprint is a very high priority, you're
most like going to have to give up on any flatbed types. I have a Canon
MP360 but it's huge compared to others. I also have a HP OfficeJet 4215
which has the P/C/S/F functions. It also has the ability to print out some
decent photos. And it has a "smallish" footprint. This might be the ticket
for you.

It sounds like I better go measure the space I have available so I'll
know what I mean by "small footprint".

Nope. Forget 3D object scanning if you want small footprint.

Is "3D" the term used to describe flatbed copying?

You're really starting to limit yourself if you must have LPT connectivity.
The HP4215 has USB 2.0 only.

That was an error on my part. USB will be fine. Apparently no one is
using IR anymore?

The laser jets I've seen are MONSTERS relative to the size I think you're
looking for. Could your HP laser sit on top of the bookshelf you have in
mind? Look at this site and tell me if these have a "small" footprint in
your opinion.

http://reviews.cnet.com/Printers/4521-6528_7-5021406-4.html?tag=subnav

--
Using an HP Laserjet 5000N
PC: HP Omnibook 6000
OS: Win 2K SP-4 (5.00.2195)
Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
(11/03/04)

 

[Ron]

Is "3D" the term used to describe flatbed copying?

Yep. With a flatbed, the hinges on the cover are "expandable"(for lack of a
better term). They allow books' pages(within reason), magazine images, and
other small items of a non-flat nature(hence the 3D designation) to be
scanned. I find flatbeds very good at copying CD and DVD labels(for backup
purposes only...ahem).

 

[Bob Headrick]

I need a small footprint combination printer/copier for my second
office. I would appreciate any suggestions or recommendations.

It will be fairly low volume -- probably less than a hundred
pages/month including both printing and copying.

My desired features in order of importance are: [snip]

Since you said USB is OK you might take a look at the Officejet 5500 series.
It is a basic, compact flatbed all-in-one with a document feeder, fax, copier,
scanner, etc in a 18" wide x 11" deep x 9.3" high package. See:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF05a/18972-238444-410635-12019-f51-311254.html
for details.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, not speaking for my employer HP