Buying a printer

19.01.28: After 5 years, I am still advocating Brother MFC 4-in-1 inkjet printers. 

The main reasons are reliability, price, and cartridge replacement cost.

I have seen a lot of printers where cartridge cost is more than the printer cost.

The high capacity cartridge replacement cost for these following two preferred models are less than $29 (delivered) at AtlanticInkjet.com or you can select compatible cartridges (I do) from Amazon for under $20 delivered. 

I have had two brother MFC printers in the last 10 years. 
My next printer will also be Brother MFC 4-in-1 printer. 
They always seem to go on sale for under $50.

You might get the MFC-J485DW at Staples for $20 right now. 
You can get the  MFC-J497DW at Staples right now for $50. 


14.01.23: Now on sales at Staples for $59.90.
The reason for selecting this printer is the price of the ink.
There are 4 cartridges required and you can purchase them (the high yield ones - 30ml) online for less than $30.

When looking at ink cartridges, pay attention to the term "high yield", as standard yield (10ml) will empty quite quickly.

I haven't found another 4in1 printer with cartridges anywhere close to this price.

13.12.07: I just replaced our printer with a newer model from Staples for $70 (plus tax).

It is a Brother MFC-J470DW wireless 4-in-1 (print, copy, fax, scan) colour printer.

Our previous printer was a brother MFC-255CW purchased about 4 years ago. Colour print quality degraded and the wireless became unpredeictable.

Brother printers have the cheapest cartridges (approx $6 each) and, at $70, is the cheapest wireless printer I have seen.

Additional features not on the older model: illuminated screen, automatic 2-sided printing.