I WANT TO BUY A WIRELESS PRINTER, ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE.

[ladybirder]

I want a wireless printer that will be compatible with my MacBook Air. It will only be used occasionally and I don't want the cartridges to cost a fortune. I've been googling 'best wireless printers' but have yet to see the word "wireless" in the list. How can you tell if it is wireless? As I said it won't be used that often so I don't want to spend more than £100. I can buy one from the Apple Shop but I would have limited choice but if all else fails that's what I'll do. Thanks.

[Buenchico]

Some hints with Google first:
If you Google "best wireless printers" (INCLUDING the double quote marks) only pages with that exact phrase will be found.

Alternatively, if you Google
best +wireless printers
you'll be guaranteed to find the word 'wireless' on every page (because of the + sign)
So there's no reason to get pages without the word 'wireless'!

Here's the Google search which you really need though:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=...rinters%22+%2Bmacbook
The page resulting from that search will offer you lots of information but you might want to refine your search further by clicking on 'Show search tools' and then on 'Past year'. (That will ensure that you get up-to-date information).

Chris

[ladybirder]

Thanks Chris, I've had a look at a couple and really liked one of them. Then it got to the What's in the Box bit and a CD ROM was included which is no good for me as my Air doesn't have a disc drive. So that would mean I'd have to buy an external drive to install it. I hope they're not all like that. Too tired now to look anymore tonight so I'll have another look in the morning. Thanks again.

[Buenchico]

Thanks for your reply.

Assuming that your MacBook Air is connected to the internet, you can normally download the software from the manufacturer's website, so you wouldn't need the CD-ROM.

[ladybirder]

Oh, good, I never thought of that, thanks Chris. Maybe I'll go with that one after all then. X

[RAV1D]

Unless you intend to use a printer all the time or quite often it's not worth buying one. Many people buy them,print the odd few things then put it away for a few months, Then they decide to try print again and don't understand why they will no longer print. Basicly the ink drys up in the pipes and jets ect. and they are not worth repairing. You have to print with them often to keep them working. Also you can buy some printers for 30 or 40 quid with free ink and then when the ink has run out and you want to replace them they cost more than it costs to buy the printer again new with the free ink. Just take your photo's or docs to Tesco's or asda and get them printed for pennys! They sell a wifi Hp printer at Tesco for 30quid and it comes with a free black and a free colour ink cartriage but to replace them both costs 30-40quid alone so just buy the printer again!

[RATTER15]

Ravid, I know what you are saying but when you buy printers, the ink cartridges included are only test packs and contain very little ink.

I agree that the cost of the printer is crazy compared to the cost of the inks, obviously the printer manufacturers make their money on the ink not the printer.

[ladybirder]

Thank you for all your replies, very useful. My daughter has said she will use it as well, although like me it won't be very often, but hopefully between the two os us we should ensure enough usage to keep it ticking over. This is the one I'm thinking of getting, the cartridges I can get for £5/6 jus black or £16 for combo pack. Costco might sell them as well if I'm lucky.

http://store.apple.co...I0OTM&mco=MjQ3MjAwMjA

If there is a reason I shouldn't get this I'd be pleased to hear it. Thanks.

[dotty.]

we sell 2 HP models at work on promo at the moment, the wireless 3050 I think it is for £39.97

[Bobbisox]

Hi I have an HP Wireless Printer, never had any problems at all although I tend to think the cartridges can be a bit pricey

[dotty.]

they can be but at work they are BOGOHP and that includes the larger capacity ones too

[ladybirder]

So do you think £5/6 for black or £16 for a combo (all colours) pack is expensive?

[Bobbisox]

I never know of the BOGOFHP, I will take a look

[mrs.chappie]

How do Ladybirder.

I bought a wireless printer a few months ago and have needed a computer engineer (twice) to get me going again as the wireless connection was lost.

I used to switch the printer off every day at bedtime and the second engineer advised me to leave it switched on permanently, he said wireless printers sometimes have a tendency to lose the connection and have to be reloaded. If I knew about computers I could've done this myself, but I know next to bu88er all about them, unfortunately, so it has cost me £60 so far.

I do like the convenience of being able to print from my laptop. Mind you, that's because I'm a lazy bu88er.

[ladybirder]

Oh dear Mrs C, that doesn't sound good. Thanks for the warning, I will keep mine switched on then and keep the Destruction Book to hand in case I need to reload. This particular printer does get 5* from other Apple users so I feel OK about buying it unless somebody tells me something to change my mind.

[mrs.chappie]

Go for it lass.

[ladybirder]

Dotty, you can buy the HP3050 you mention for £19.97 from PC world. Hmmm I'll see what the price of the cartridges are and what the reviews are like.