Printers

[lomuamart]

I've managed quite well without a printer for about a million years but for a variety of reasons, I think it might be time to buy one.

I'll only need it for occasional stuff. Can anyone suggest a decent model with approximate costs?

Thanks.

[HHTel]

I've had an Epson L355 for several years now and never had a problem.
I seem to remember it being around 7,000 baht but that is with WIFI. Considerably cheaper without.
The beauty about it having WIFI is being able to stow it away anywhere in the house and also makes it easier to share between devices.

[Big Boy]

Try to get one with built-in ink tanks - the cartridge variety are slightly cheaper, but new cartridges cost an arm and a leg.

When you've decided what you want, check the price on Lazada - I saved about 25% using Lazada. Absolutely delighted, but I won't bore you with model because it's a year old, and no longer current.

[Nereus]

Check the price of the ink cartridges before you buy. If not getting used much they tend to block up and need replacing long before they run dry. Most of them, but not all, have a scanning function well worth having. I use a HP 4535 without any problems, but they are a bit like your Kindle: throw away item when they start to play up. I think it cost around 3,500 Baht. Also buy good quality paper that does not tend to jam up as much as cheaper paper, and try and store it in a cool spot out of direct sunlight.

[HHTel]

The Epson has refillable tanks. As has been said, if not used then the nozzles can become blocked. The epson has software that will clean the heads or even flush the nozzles, which has proven effective.
I would avoid the ones that work from an ink cartridge.

[Big Boy]

Yes, every printer I've had seems to have that software, but as with my printer, I think the L355 is obsolete/replaced by something newer. I don't know the life of a printer model, but if not purchased in the last few months, a recommendation will be difficult. Over the years I've had Epson, HP and Canon - all brilliant when new, but when they go wrong, as Nereus says, just bin it.

[Edit] Lazada have the HP 4535 as stock clearance, so not too late for that one, and if new, will work as good as anything else.

[Gregjam]

I have found Canon ones good even those with cartridges. Mine were kept in a room without air con and would spend three months at a time without being used but still worked. As with others, once they clog up it is best to get a new one. My latest Canon with ink tanks was bought off Lazada saving quite a bit and has been okay. It got clogged up recently and I had to use the heavy duty flush function rather than normal clean. This was after I had been using it a lot (visa applications). It worked but used a frightening amount of ink. Wireless function has been useful as I can take a photo with my phone and print it directly or print off photos/documents without having to fire up the computer. The prices for the big name brands are all in the same ballpark and I don't think there is a lot between them in reality, just what functions you want.

[VincentD]

I just bought a colour laser printer (with wifi) for my son - these things don't clog and the print quality is very good. Think it was around the 4,000 + mark and was on offer at a place in Zeer Rangsit. It does not have a scanner - those cost more than twice as much - but if needed a stand-alone scanner is less than 2,000 baht.

Also saw two HP inkjet printers with scanners from 1,900 to 2,300 baht at Power Buy at Fashion Island in Bangkok just last weekend. Uses ink cartridges, about 3-400 baht a pop.

My son is the expert on this and is adamant that the laser printer is the way to go. Ink costs are not exorbitant but you have to be careful if you need to work with transparencies and similar - only products meant for the laser printer can be used or you will destroy the drum - have seen this happen in the office..

My two baht worth..

[handdrummer]

I bought a cheap HP 1515 6 yrs. ago and it still works fine. Use it very little & have replaced the B&W cartridge 3 times & the color once in 6 yrs.

[deepee]

Be careful to check if the model you are buying has separate individual colour cartridges rather than one combined one. Problem is that if you run out of one colour , you have to replace the whole combined cartridge. The cheeky manufactures are getting the software set up so as the thing stops printing shortly after you get a low level warning of any single colour

[lomuamart]

All good info and advice. Thanks.

I've taken on board the issue with inks and a scanning function would be useful but not essential. I've only ever had one printer over here and got ripped off twice with replacement ink cartridges (once from BKK and once in HH), so I just gave up and as there's a print centre very close to us I just take stuff there. But that's not open 24/7.

Other than golf clubs, I hate buying things. I've just guided my father through getting a shredder in the UK and reviews always make every model sound good so opinions like those above, I rate higher than some magazine article.

Of course, my next question is where do I buy one? Market Village, Bluport, the internet? As said, to spend 100K THB on golf clubs is relatively easy for me. The thought of 3-7 K THB for some piece of tech equipment isn't.

I might have some questions about smart phones soon but those can wait for another thread. I hate the modern age. Just give me a lump of stone and a chisel!!

[Big Boy]

Of course, my next question is where do I buy one? Market Village, Bluport, the internet?

Lazada, unless you have money to burn.

[Gregjam]

Lazada or possibly Shopee. The latter I have found cheaper however Lazada is more English language friendly.

[PET]

Yes, every printer I've had seems to have that software, but as with my printer, I think the L355 is obsolete/replaced by something newer. I don't know the life of a printer model, but if not purchased in the last few months, a recommendation will be difficult. Over the years I've had Epson, HP and Canon - all brilliant when new, but when they go wrong, as Nereus says, just bin it.

[Edit] Lazada have the HP 4535 as stock clearance, so not too late for that one, and if new, will work as good as anything else.

Absolutely endorse the HP 4535 recommendation and ink is cheaper too!!

[Dannie Boy]

I’d agree with BB and buy from Lazada - much cheaper than MV. These days it’s difficult to find a printer that doesn’t come with a scanning facility. I’d also recommend trying to get one that has the large external ink cartridges - either Epsom or HP would be my recommendation and you shouldn’t need to pay more than about 3000 Baht