Printer-Scanner for home 2023

[130s]

Tech ticket for https://github.com/kinu-garage/30y-130s_life/issues/1817

Brother MFCL2750DW bought in https://github.com/kinu-garage/hut_10sqft/issues/446 has been ok but a few shortcomings have become really shortcomings.

• Grayscale: More and more printing kids materials, then they're surprised to see non-color prints. Not just that, sometimes it really needs color (presentation etc.)
• Scanning software is ok, but takes in too many inputs (this is one thing Canon did better)

[130s]

(Taken from https://github.com/kinu-garage/hut_10sqft/issues/915) Req for doc scanning feature (subject to update): The ones that are checked are already achieved by the Brother one https://github.com/kinu-garage/hut_10sqft/issues/446

• [x] Save to cloud, without a need to create a designated account (i.e. utilize existing cloud service and account e.g. Google Drive).
• [x] Both sides scanned if selected so.
• [x] Jamming occurs less.
• [x] Generates searchable PDF.
• [ ] Less operation steps needed
  • Brother https://github.com/kinu-garage/hut_10sqft/issues/446 takes 7+ operations, which is way too much. This maybe a single, show-stopper downside that got me motivate to get a new device.

[130s]

Requirements, originally taken for printing from https://github.com/kinu-garage/hut_10sqft/issues/446#issue-674756233 (2020/08), and scanning (Taken from https://github.com/kinu-garage/hut_10sqft/issues/915):

• Connect to LAN by Wifi w/o additional component.
• Printing
  • Color print (monochrome is not color https://github.com/130s/hut_10sqft/issues/446#issuecomment-685123905)
  • Ink consumption not bad (my mx922 was bad at it) esp. for inkjet.
  • (Option) Reasonable photography copy quality.
    • DPI 1,200 at minimum?
    • Very little hoarse printing (that happened a lot with mx922)
• Scanner: The ones that are checked are already achieved by the Brother one https://github.com/kinu-garage/hut_10sqft/issues/446
  • [x] Auto, continuous feed.
  • [x] Automatic-duplex
  • [x] Save to cloud, without a need to create a designated account for scanner (i.e. utilize existing cloud service and account e.g. Google Drive).
  • [x] Jamming occurs less.
  • [x] Generates searchable PDF.
  • [ ] Less operation steps needed
    • Brother https://github.com/kinu-garage/hut_10sqft/issues/446 takes 7+ operations, which is way too much. This maybe a single, show-stopper downside that got me motivate to get a new device.
• (Option) Linux client --> No need as long as cloud works well for scanner, and CUPS or any other printer driver works well for printing.
• $500.00 or less

[130s]

Research so far hasn't let me choose 1 item that satisfy the reqs.

• Canon MF753Cdw
  • Almost signing this one off but no scanning to cloud? Big no.

    Q: Can this scan to dropbox or google drive directly like some of the brother MFCs? A: The MF753Cdw does not have the option to scan directly to Dropbox or Google drive. For help find a scanner that best fits your needs, you can contact sales support at 1-800-385-2155. Our agents would be happy to assist. By CanonUSA in the United States on May 23, 2023

  • About https://github.com/kinu-garage/hut_10sqft/issues/446#issue-674756233 Canon's another laser printer I found auto-duplex was impossible. So Canon disregarding scanning features might be eminent.
• HP M283fdw
  • No direct saving to G-Drive found.
    • In user manual I cannot find such info. https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/C1T2w+MZTXS.pdf
    • Reviewers incl. the following says no direct saving to G-Drive.

      Horrible interface By BikeDaily in the United States on August 26, 2020 For printing and copying, it is adequate. Would be nice if it could handle 11x17, but for pure 8.5"x11" paper this is a decent printer. But the deficiencies are horrible. The touch screen interface needs to be scrapped and replaced. Most notably, as a scanner this machine should not be purchased. The basic scan feature won't connect to google drives, even locally attached laptops on the same network. Alas, this has apps which includes a google drive connector. The problem is the apps constantly download something from the web (it tells you this while you are waiting) after nearly every button push. If you walk away it will time out and you need to start over. Multiple button pushes is needed with the downloading apps latency after each one just to scan a document to a google drive. The app interface is like Android ten years ago. Just awful.

• The Best Laser Printer (nytimes.com, updated 20231011) still features Brother MFC-L2750DW (I bought in 2020 and am planning to replace) as "also great". So this reaview may not be super uptodate.
• Brother MFC‐L8905CDW
  • Asked clarification

    With 8905CDW, can a file resulted from scan be directly saved to a cloud service e.g. Google Drive automatically?

I've already decided NO to a dedicated scanner https://github.com/kinu-garage/hut_10sqft/issues/915, but might have to reconsider it as an option because AFAI have done research:

• Scanning feature on printer-scanner is not ideal.
• Scanning is likely my top usecase (even beyond all printing usecases) of printer-scanner.

[130s]

I'm giving up researching, had to conclude that there's no silver bullet -- Choose a color laser printer-scanner with the best possible scanning option, and for now I might have to stick with Brother.

Best possible qualifying one could be MFC-L3780CDW. I don't see Black Friday deal so have to ask family's opinion.