Need recommendation: Multifunction Printers to scan to PDF

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crashnburn · #1 Post by **crashnburn** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:41 am

Need recommendations for SOHO / SMB Multifunction Printers (MFP) w Documents Feeding Tray to scan to PDF.

Please see appropriate thread link in my signature.

Mods: I posted this is the relevant & appropriate / off topic sections in four different forums
- NotebookForums
- ThinkPad Forums
- PrinterForums.net
- PrinterTechForums.com

I have not received a single reply or recommendation. Where should I post this to get some EYEBALL time with people and get some feedback?

The contextually 'appropriate' sections of the forums where I have posted, do not have a lot of visibility with the people I want to get audience with.

I bought a Brother MFC-210C MFP for personal use an year and half back from Fry's during the Thansgiving Sale. Its served me well. Not that I was looking for a major amount of performance but I did not really bother to check if it was X ppm while printing.

Its scans were decent and I was able to get a lot done.

Now, I have used it a lot to scan expense receipts, hotel bills, travel expenses etc into PDFs, so that I do not have to keep the physical copies around for ages.

However, it was a little inconvenient to manually do one page at a time for scanning to PDF.

I want to get an MFP that can be a good, fast ARCHIVING tool. I need to convert a lot of old stuff.. Some notes from Grad School and a bunch of other things to PDF. I'd like people's suggestions on which MFP to get.

TOP PRIORITY Features Needed (Hardware / Software Combined):
- Documents loading tray for scanning multiple pages into a single PDF
- Decently accurate / fast and supporting multiple "scan TO configuration combinations" to allow PDF docs, JPEG Scans etc. (Software to make this easier)

Bonus:
- Decent printing speeds for B/W & Color
- Possible to get cheap non-OEM cartridges for printing
- Not overtly expensive

Please do let me know if you have any suggestions / recommendations

PS: If you think / know a better forum / location to post this then please do let me know.

Note from Moderator: Duplicate thread. Moved to Off-Topic, and locked original thread.

#2 Post by **Kyocera** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 11:18 am

Go to the Muratec web site and check out the MFX 2030 it will scan to SMB and has the ability to browse your network and find a folder you want to scan to. It will also scan to FTP server, scan to email, and more. It will scan in color up to 600dpi and is a fairly decent printer, also has the network fax option and more. I set these up on small and large networks. These are not something you buy at Staple, Office Max, etc.

#3 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 7:54 pm

This beast can do it all, and has cheap separate ink cartridges (also spurious) as well:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/contr ... elid=12804
It's also considerably cheaper at $299.- than the above Muratec at $3,495.-

#4 Post by **Kyocera** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:45 pm

I read through the specs and can see no where it says it will scan to SMB, or scan to PDF format. In order to scan to SMB the machine needs to be connected via a NIC card so it can browse to folders on a pc on the network. The other thing it won't do is scan to PDF format, it will most lilkely be able to scan using a USB cable via TWAIN scan to pull the document into a program (which is painfully slow and labor intensive) like word, but I still didn't read where it has that ability either. If the OP has Adobe pagemaker or indesign and can pull the documents in via twain it may convert them to PDF. Ususally these type of machines will pull a document in as a TIFF file, and you need to OCR it to be able to do anything with it or it just remains an image.

There is also the MFX520 which is a little cheaper (no scan to JPEG though on this one) and has similar functionality, I recommend the best because I work in this field, even Kyocera does not have a machine with a small footprint that will do what the op wants without a lot of network configuration and expense. Ink jet printers/scanners/copiers cost more in the long run (especially color) because of the cost of Ink cartridges, and yes you can argue with me all day about remanufactured cartridges but they will also lose you money in the long run compared to forking out the big bucks for the OEM cartridges, due to poor build quality, lack of quality control, leakage, etc. etc.

crashnburn · #5 Post by **crashnburn** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:13 am

Let me clarify.

SMB = Small Medium Business
SOHO = Small Office Home Office

All I want is to be able to scan documents to PDF in the best manner possible. I'd love to see some more recommendations that are not too pricey and are designed for the SOHO segment.

crashnburn · #6 Post by **crashnburn** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:50 am

realblackstuff wrote:This beast can do it all, and has cheap separate ink cartridges (also spurious) as well:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/contr ... elid=12804
It's also considerably cheaper at $299.- than the above Muratec at $3,495.-

Thanks. That is a nice one. I'd like to hopefully see more like that.

PS: I am guessing the above responses were made while this thread was in the T60 forum before some Mod moved it to Off-Topic where I do not know if there will be responses anymore.

#7 Post by **Kyocera** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:52 am

The above responses were made while it was in this topic not the T60. I am in a networking mode when it comes to printing so sorry for the misunderstanding.

#8 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 10:29 am

There are plenty of PDF converters, some even for free, such as http://www.primopdf.com/
Just scan in your documents, and select the scanner-output to be the PDF program of your choice. All these PDF-makers 'function' as a printer-interface, so you 'scan to printer'.

To the original poster: why don't you use Google and search for MFPs yourself?
I only recommend what I think best, but that's my opinion.
Under NO circumstance should you buy anything from Dell or Lexmark!

Stargate199 · #9 Post by **Stargate199** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 11:39 am

So you are looking for a multifunction printer with a ADF (audtomatic document feeder) right? I would look at HP's Officejet line. I have sitting in the basement an Officejet R80 that is almost 9 years old and still works (except the scanner doesn't exactly work well with XP). My own printer is an HP PSC 1610. It does not have an ADF, but scans documents into text with driver software. If I had Adobe Acrobat, I would be able to scan into PDF format. The document scanning is done by software, not the scanner. I saw recently that HP is clearing out some of their older officejet models, so those prices are very cheap now. Saw one at OfficeMax that fits your bill for $130.

crashnburn · #10 Post by **crashnburn** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:09 am

realblackstuff wrote:There are plenty of PDF converters, some even for free, such as http://www.primopdf.com/
Just scan in your documents, and select the scanner-output to be the PDF program of your choice. All these PDF-makers 'function' as a printer-interface, so you 'scan to printer'.

To the original poster: why don't you use Google and search for MFPs yourself?
I only recommend what I think best, but that's my opinion.
Under NO circumstance should you buy anything from Dell or Lexmark!

Thanks RBS - I appreciate it. I did google and am looking through CNET / PC Magazine etc. I appreciate your choice. I will definitely be checking it out in store.

My current Brother MFC 210c does do a direct to PDF scan so that is why I enjoyed the convenience of not having to think about converting again etc.

I am guessing there is some way to do that so I do not have to go through the process everytime. After all, I am archiving a large number of documents.

crashnburn · #11 Post by **crashnburn** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:11 am

Kyocera wrote:The above responses were made while it was in this topic not the T60. I am in a networking mode when it comes to printing so sorry for the misunderstanding.

I understand the networking world. I appreciate your response nonetheless

#12 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 2:41 am

realblackstuff wrote:Just scan in your documents, and select the scanner-output to be the PDF program of your choice. All these PDF-makers 'function' as a printer-interface, so you 'scan to printer'.

If you read my post attentively, you'll see that you don't have to convert to PDF in a second action.

#13 Post by **underclocker** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:58 am

I've been using the b&w laser Dell 1600n for about 2 years - it's quite nice, works great, scans to .pdf on a local machine OR to a network server. It has an internal NIC and USB port. No issues at all.

The only downside is that it can not automatically scan duplex (both sides at once).

They replaced this model with a faster 1815dn which has duplex printing/copying capabilities.

Watch for huge discounts, the 1600n retailed for $400, but I picked one up during a two for one sale - yes it only cost me $200 plus tax, shipping was free (a friend bought the other one).

The 1815dn retails for $500. It's worth a look.

Note: For a simple device that quickly scans directly to .pdf in simplex or duplex mode (and includes a full copy of Acrobat) see the Fujitsu ScanSnap - it will change your life!

#14 Post by **Kyocera** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 9:59 am

crashandburn wrote:I understand the networking world. I appreciate your response nonetheless.
Let me clarify.

SMB = Small Medium Business

I was not implying that you don't understand the networking world, merely stating that I may view it from a different perspective when it come to network printing and Multi Function devices. That is all.

In my world this is SMB that's what I thought you or your friend were looking at.

crashnburn · #15 Post by **crashnburn** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:06 pm

Kyocera wrote:
crashandburn wrote:I understand the networking world. I appreciate your response nonetheless.
Let me clarify.

SMB = Small Medium Business
I was not implying that you don't understand the networking world, merely stating that I may view it from a different perspective when it come to network printing and Multi Function devices. That is all.

In my world this is SMB that's what I thought you or your friend were looking at.

I agree

I think I made it concise & missed the smiley and the tonality went wrong.

I understand how it might mean otherwise if I did not specify

. Thanks again.

crashnburn · #16 Post by **crashnburn** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:16 pm

underclocker wrote:I've been using the b&w laser Dell 1600n for about 2 years - it's quite nice, works great, scans to .pdf on a local machine OR to a network server. It has an internal NIC and USB port. No issues at all.

The only downside is that it can not automatically scan duplex (both sides at once).

They replaced this model with a faster 1815dn which has duplex printing/copying capabilities.

Watch for huge discounts, the 1600n retailed for $400, but I picked one up during a two for one sale - yes it only cost me $200 plus tax, shipping was free (a friend bought the other one).

The 1815dn retails for $500. It's worth a look.

Note: For a simple device that quickly scans directly to .pdf in simplex or duplex mode (and includes a full copy of Acrobat) see the Fujitsu ScanSnap - it will change your life!

Thanks for the great insights. It helped a lot.

I looked up ScanSnap and it seems pretty promising. Albeit, I am thinking it is a little $$$ expensive.

http://www.technologyevangelist.com/200 ... ers_a.html
http://www.fujitsu.com/us/services/comp ... workgroup/

I'll see what other MFPs I can review and get back to you with my findings as well.

#17 Post by **tomh009** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:45 pm

The serious tool for this is an HP Digital Sender. You can pick up a used 9100C from eBay for around $500. They are pretty close to indestructible -- just make sure to make a CD image of the hard disk in case it dies and you need to replace it.

(Yes, I have one at home.)

rmendoza · #18 Post by **rmendoza** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:23 pm

I use a Brother, and I am more than satisfied: the ink cartridges last forever (I print mostly text, but a lot of it), the printer is super fast, it has a NIC, a good chunk of memory (upgradeable), text is crisp, and the ink is very reasonably priced, to say the least. Here's a linkto the one I have, it does everything the OP wants, and probably more.

GT500Shlby · #19 Post by **GT500Shlby** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:58 am

The HP CM8060 will handle everything you need - even through a Windows 2003 R2 printserver.

crashnburn · #20 Post by **crashnburn** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 2:21 pm

rmendoza wrote:I use a Brother, and I am more than satisfied: the ink cartridges last forever (I print mostly text, but a lot of it), the printer is super fast, it has a NIC, a good chunk of memory (upgradeable), text is crisp, and the ink is very reasonably priced, to say the least. Here's a linkto the one I have, it does everything the OP wants, and probably more.

I ended up buying a Brother MFC 7820N All in One Mono Laser Jet Printer.

- Good print, scan & fax through the network
- Network installationn & functionality are a little tricky but can be resolved once you figure out how (after the software install as instructed) - i.e. Assign Static IP on Router & 7820N, Also change the settings in the INSTALLED "printer" & "scanner" devices on your Windows Control panel to point to the Static IP (by default it points to it by NAME and not by IP - Which can be an issue when anything is restarted).

crashnburn · #21 Post by **crashnburn** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 2:23 pm

GT500Shlby wrote:The HP CM8060 will handle everything you need - even through a Windows 2003 R2 printserver.

My dear friend I just looked up this machine out of curiosity.. its 25000 Dollars +.... Not in my budget.. at all

GT500Shlby · #22 Post by **GT500Shlby** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:15 pm

Oops... Didn't see any budget info in the posts.

I had 2 of these babies delivered the other day. I was on a long waiting list too.

#23 Post by **GomJabbar** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:37 pm

crashnburn wrote:I ended up buying a Brother MFC 7820N All in One Mono Laser Jet Printer.

Maybe it's time to update your signature.

Need recommendation: Multifunction Printers to scan to PDF

Need recommendation: Multifunction Printers to scan to PDF

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