Posted by Belinda Allen on 11/2/09 11:31pm
Msg #309620
Need printer suggestions please
I wore my printer out. It's a cannon MP530 multifunctional. It's been great! But I have to replace it now because there is no one who works on them. I've spent weeks looking for the "perfect laser printer" but I just can't seem to find one. They either don't have a dual tray or they aren't laser. If anyone has suggestions for a multifunctional laser printer with dual trays that prints in color and is fast, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
| Reply by Marian_in_CA on 11/3/09 12:32am
Msg #309623
A color laser MFP with dual trays? That's asking a lot.
There's the HP Color LaserJet 2840, but it's not very fast and its' recommended print volume is likely way too low for an NSA.
Honestly, your best bet might be to go with a strict dual tray monochrome laser, and then a separate color laser MFP. It might be much less expensive that way. But then... I have several printers in my office, so I may not be the best to ask.
I use a Brother 5250DNT for my heavy duty stuff. It's a dual tray duplexer and it's quite fast enough for me.
I also have a Brother MFC-7420, a monochrome laser MFP. I use this for lighter weight stuff and it's a fantastic scanner/fax.
I'm shopping around for a color laser now... not to replace any of my machines but to add to them. That said, I readily admit I have more office space and printing needs above and beyond that of those who are purely notaries and NSAs.
For everything you're asking... including the dual tray (that's the kicker), you're probably looking at a real pro machine with equitable pricing.
One of the models I really like is the HP Laserjet CM3530. What I don't like is the $2500 price tag attached to it -- and that model is the "basic" one in the series. The scanning can only do 600x600 dpi, so if you want to scan photographs... forget it. This is purely a scanner for documents and office stuff. If I'm going to drop that kind of change on a printer... well.... let's face it... I'm not going to. LOL
For me, I'd rather have a great dual tray color laser printer and just suffer with the slight irritation of scanning and transferring from the MFP. The cool part about my Brother MFC machine is that I can set multiple default print settings. So if, for example, I have something that I want a color copy of... I just hit the right button sequence, and it would then scan and then print to the color printer on the network. Easy enough of a work around and at 1/10th of 1/5th of the price. The only downside is making sure you have enough space for multiple printers, and that the dual tray printers on networkable printers.
| Reply by Glenn Strickler on 11/3/09 2:01am
Msg #309625
Well, I am a person who doesn't like a multifunction anything. One of the functions goes out and chances are that you have to replace the whole thing as it's tough to find anyone competent to work on them anymore. I would be interested to find out how old your printer is and why it is now needs replacing. I have two brother dual tray printers that have well over 200,000 pages each on them and they are still humming along. I have a separate copier that I have had for years and still works well. I don't see the need for a color laser printer. If I really need to print something in color I am looking for quality and I use my ink jet. The shelving units I built above my desk handles it all in a compact space. I know dozens of people who seem to go through multifunction printers, whether it be HP, Brother or Cannon like crazy while I still am using all the same equipment years later .. I had one multifunction printer (an HP) that worked well for a while, but after about 10,000 pages, it began having issues and I gave it away. In my experience, there is no such thing as a multifunction printer that is cost effective and does all it's functions well.
But based on all that and my friends experiences, I would tell you to see what Brother has to offer. The only person I know that has gotten long life on a multifunction has a Brother MFC 9840CDW Color Laser - Fax / copier / printer / scanner. It was pricey.
| Reply by ReneeK_MI on 11/3/09 11:57am
Msg #309657
Agree w/Glen about the multifunction anything
If you want a work-horse printer, get a work-horse printer - and ALSO get a scanner/copier. I haven't used a fax in a long time, I scan/e-mail or scan/e-fax.
I got my HP2420 in '05 and (shhh) it's never failed me and I've NEVER regretted the money it cost me.
| Reply by PAW on 11/3/09 1:31pm
Msg #309666
FWIW, I have a HP 3330mfp that is my workhorse. Well over 150,000 pages and it still prints, copies, scans and faxes like the day I bought it almost 10 years ago. I also have a HP 1300 dual tray that is quickly approaching 150K pages too. That printer as well has been a workhorse, especially with loan documents. I guess the 1300 is about 8 years old.
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/4/09 12:24am
Msg #309717
I have an old HP 3330 with more than 170,000 copies and still churning. The only problem I've had is that the scanner bulb seemed to be taking a long time to warm up. Sometimes it would never get there, just giving an error message so I'd have to unplug and start over. Do you have any idea how big a deal it is to replace the scanner bulb and if it's worth it? I don't really use it for anything other than printing any more but it's always nice to have another choice. Thanks...
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/3/09 2:09am
Msg #309626
If you do a search on here, you'll find lots of info, as that's a pretty popular question. The Brother that Marian mentioned seems to be pretty popular and another one is the HP 2055 (dn, I think). I'm not sure about the model numbers, but make sure you check so you are looking at the one that has the dual tray. I don't think that's an MFP, though, and when I looked at it, the duty cycle wasn't what I would have wanted.
I agree with Marian about monochrome. I haven't had a color printer for a long time and have barely missed it. If you have a need for color for other reasons, that's a different story. I also agree that two separate machines might be best in the long run. Last time I was looking to add to my arsenal, that was the conclusion I came to, because I wasn't ready to pay a whole lot more, either. I ended up with a used Canon 4350 MFP for very cheap just as an extra for the scanning/copy/fax functions, and it's been great - but it doesn't come with a dual tray. (It also doesn't have a flatbed that handles legal size sheets, but the ADF does.)
Bottom line, I came to the conclusion that "the perfect laser printer" didn't exist unless I wanted to spend well into four figures. And then you've got all your eggs in one basket... If you have room for more than one printer, I think that would be the way to go.
| Reply by CopperheadVA on 11/3/09 5:53am
Msg #309628
It will be much more economical for you to print loan docs on a B&W laser printer.
I have a separate HP 2600n color printed I use for when I need to print something in color, but never for loan docs.
| Reply by MW/VA on 11/3/09 9:30am
Msg #309641
IMO in this business you need a really fast mono laser printer. I personally wouldn't waste money on a color printer. I've been using the Brother 5250 DNT (fast, 35 pages/min. & reasonably priced toner & drums--which I get from LD Products). Depending on the store you go to, you may have to order the extra tray separately. LOL
| Reply by jba/fl on 11/3/09 9:38am
Msg #309644
I think you are new to this forum - am I correct? Yes, you will need a printer, but you also need to "sell yourself" via your profile. "NNN member" not enough.
The orange Search button will be one of your best friends here, after Google on the web. Start with message #33325, whcih covers just about anything you wish to know about this business. Also, search for printers - or whatever comes to mind. Somewhere in our archives, there is a discussion or many on almost anything you can think of.
There are quite a few experts in many areas here: computers and their glitches, etc; notary procedure; paper sales; and so on. As you read along or search you will notice who really knows the most about a particular subject. That will be helpful in determining who to pay attention to. Most people here are very helpful, but sometimes the written word does not convey "social nice-ities"; don't be offended, most are typing on the fly so to speak and just not mincing words. It is not talking down, just conveying information quickly and efficiently, but we have seen over and over those taking offense and accusing us of being 'mean and hateful'.
So - back to my first thought: work on selling yourself in your profile. Take a look at a few others to get an idea if you are unsure of what to say about yourself. BUT, and I cannot stress this enough, DO NOT COPY anyone's. What they say is not what you might say. If I were a TC or SS, why do I want to hire you? What you have so far should only be an after thought - that organization is not the most respected...search them here and see what I mean.
Welcome, I hope you find what you need.
| Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/3/09 9:54am
Msg #309648
I'm also going to assume (silly, I know) that you're
relatively new and, in addition, you don't do loan signings on a regular basis - if you do, the Canon MP530 is an inkjet printer and I'm not surprised it's worn out - also surprised you've gotten by with it for however long it's been.
You absolutely need a good, reliable laser printer - I, too, see no need for color in this business (whether loan signings or just general notary) - color just doesn't come into play - at least it hasn't for me during my three years in business. You can get another mp530 really cheap for your personal use (on ebay), but if it were me I'd not be "cheaping out" on my business laser printer - it's too vital to the business. And I stand by HP products as a personal favorite.
MHO
| Reply by Glenn Strickler on 11/3/09 12:44pm
Msg #309659
Good catch, Linda
I did not realize that she was using an ink jet. Wow! Expensive per page to use. Not to mention DOTs and other recorded docs will get rejected in my county, so I would bet that she is one that has not done any signings much if at all.
So Belinda, if you read this, do take the advise to read msg# 33325. Feel free to ask questions. We are here to help. Just don't ask "What is a jurat?" 
Laser monochrome is by far a lot less expensive to use in the long run than any ink jet unless you get all your ink for free.
| Reply by Marian_in_CA on 11/3/09 1:01pm
Msg #309662
Re: Good catch, Linda
Definitely a good catch.
For about a million reasons, printing loan docs on ink jet is not a good idea.
| Reply by MistarellaFL on 11/3/09 12:51pm
Msg #309660
Belinda you'd be better off
doing what most of us have done, which is use only a laser monochrome printer for docs,
and having a cheaper color injet mfc.
I have all Brother laser monochrome printers, and use a cheap-o injet printer for color needs.
I'd love to have a laser color printer, but they're way too expensive for my particular needs.
| Reply by CH2inCA on 11/3/09 5:45pm
Msg #309683
At my real job "hook finger quotes here" I have a Laserjet 5550dn color, a hp4345 mfp, and a single tray hp3005, not to mention the little 1018 laser that sits at my desk.
At my other real job's home office I have an hp8500 color ink jet (don't snear it prints practically as fast as the laser). and a little hp that I can tuck under my arm and carry with me for those; 'what you didn't make copies of your id?" moments.
Note a pattern?
BUT, what's got me tappin my toes is that I just won the bid for a 3005 dual tray on eBay for under 300 bucks!! With less than 1k pages!!
IS IT CHRISTMAS?!!! WHOOHOOO!!
| Reply by Frank/NC on 11/3/09 7:36pm
Msg #309699
I am partial to HP printers. My 2015X has 125,000 pages printed and still going strong. Also their Tech support is excellent.
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