You know - as much as I think using documents stored on mobile devices is good and everything, often I'd still like to print things. Definitely stuff like resumes and certain forms that need to be mailed in or submitted on paper.
I had an older Canon (MF4350d) multi-function machine (bought in 2010) that was OK for a few years. However, once when it was fairly new I made the mistake of moving it around (put it on the floor) to use for the FAX to put it closer to my phone line. And during that time I was in a hurry, tripped over the USB cable, and the center pin of the US port broke off. That was the only means of communication with the computer. But I just plugged it in gently and the pins seemed to be intact. Occasionally it would stop working with the dreaded E225 System Error code, but that might reset eventually if I completely removed it from power for a few hours. But just last week I destroyed the port by trying to unplug and reinsert the US connector to the point and the pins bent. I can still use it as a copier and possibly as a FAX machine, but not as a printer or scanner. I thought maybe it was possible to replace the USB port (parts are less than $1) but I'm not good with a soldering iron and I'm not sure I could open it up without breaking something. Besides - it was 9 years old.
So I got a new multi-function machine - a Canon MF427dw. Only comes in black. Got a great deal on it since Amazon (selling directly) has it for $125 and Staples gave me the 110% price match to where it was $115 plus tax. I wasn't sure how it was going to work though. I set up the printer/fax/scanner drivers on my Mac and then fired it up after removing all the tape and assorted tabs/cardboard/etc inside the machine. I had an issue setting it up with my wireless access point (couldn't figure out how to do capital letters entering the password) but eventually it worked. And as long as it's connected to the network (even wired) it seems to print/scan just fine. It's also got a USB port, but I'm going to avoid using that. The printer is in another room while I typically use a laptop in my living room. And now I guess I can print from my other portable devices, although I had to restart them before it would recognize the printer.
Wondering why I didn't do this sooner.
I had an older Canon (MF4350d) multi-function machine (bought in 2010) that was OK for a few years. However, once when it was fairly new I made the mistake of moving it around (put it on the floor) to use for the FAX to put it closer to my phone line. And during that time I was in a hurry, tripped over the USB cable, and the center pin of the US port broke off. That was the only means of communication with the computer. But I just plugged it in gently and the pins seemed to be intact. Occasionally it would stop working with the dreaded E225 System Error code, but that might reset eventually if I completely removed it from power for a few hours. But just last week I destroyed the port by trying to unplug and reinsert the US connector to the point and the pins bent. I can still use it as a copier and possibly as a FAX machine, but not as a printer or scanner. I thought maybe it was possible to replace the USB port (parts are less than $1) but I'm not good with a soldering iron and I'm not sure I could open it up without breaking something. Besides - it was 9 years old.
So I got a new multi-function machine - a Canon MF427dw. Only comes in black. Got a great deal on it since Amazon (selling directly) has it for $125 and Staples gave me the 110% price match to where it was $115 plus tax. I wasn't sure how it was going to work though. I set up the printer/fax/scanner drivers on my Mac and then fired it up after removing all the tape and assorted tabs/cardboard/etc inside the machine. I had an issue setting it up with my wireless access point (couldn't figure out how to do capital letters entering the password) but eventually it worked. And as long as it's connected to the network (even wired) it seems to print/scan just fine. It's also got a USB port, but I'm going to avoid using that. The printer is in another room while I typically use a laptop in my living room. And now I guess I can print from my other portable devices, although I had to restart them before it would recognize the printer.
Wondering why I didn't do this sooner.
