<p>I am replacing one of the house’s computers with a basic new desktop from Costco, either this
[Costco</a> - ZT Eight Core Desktop AMD FX-8120 Processor 3.1GHz HDMI, USB 3.0 Assembled in USA](<a href=“http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?prodid=11761889&whse=BC&topnav=&cm_sp=RichRelevance-_-categorypageHorizontalTop-_-PopularProductsInCategory&cm_vc=categorypageHorizontalTop|PopularProductsInCategory]Costco”>http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?prodid=11761889&whse=BC&topnav=&cm_sp=RichRelevance-_-categorypageHorizontalTop-_-PopularProductsInCategory&cm_vc=categorypageHorizontalTop|PopularProductsInCategory)
or something very similar.</p>
<p>I won’t be using this computer, but I will be sharing a printer with it. My current printer is an HP OfficeJet Pro and has a multitude of unsolvabe software errors that renders it practically unusable. Computer savvy people have looked at it and have deemed it not worth spending any more time messing with since all the usual fixes have not worked. Frustratingly, when it decides to work, it works fine, but I am now committed to replacing it with something else.</p>
<p>This pretty much sums up my feeling on printers:</p>
<p>[Why</a> I Believe Printers Were Sent From Hell To Make Us Miserable - The Oatmeal](<a href=“http://theoatmeal.com/comics/printers]Why”>Why I Believe Printers Were Sent From Hell To Make Us Miserable - The Oatmeal)</p>
<p>But I do anticipate needing a basic printer that will print in color, capable of making photocopies, function as a fax machine (least important attribute) work with my laptop, as well as the new machine, and will be reliable and hopefully inexpensive. Anyone have any recommendations?</p>
<p>I have had no problems with my relatively new HP Photosmart 7515 from Costco. what I love about it is we can print wirelessly from an Iphone, Ipad or another computer.
You do know that you have to download new software drivers occasionally for any printer, correct? That may avoid future software issues.</p>
<p>thanks, mpmom. I will look into the one you mentioned.
Yes, I have done the updates and downloads to no avail.</p>
<p>HP 8500A Is an amazing printer. I had one issued to me for work. Switched jobs and the new company gave me a different computer. After using it for a week, I returned it and bought an 8500A on my own. I’m going to be getting one for my son this fall to take to college and my daughter next year.</p>
<p>I have two printers - an Epson inkjet all-in-one that can do all the functions you describe, but is a pain in the rear and expensive with having to replace cartridges, and out of that frustration I also bought a Brother B&W Laser printer with wireless networking that works great for the B&W copies I need - much better and less expensive than the ink jet and more convenient with the built-in wireless networking since I have multiple computers scattered about the house I use. I, and most people, print mostly B&W pages. It’s rare that we need to print in color so the laser printer’s the one used the most. We keep the other one for my W to be able to print on fabric.</p>
<p>I have the same setup as GladGradDad - an inkjet all-in-one that works well when we need it, and a Brother B&W laser that gets used most of the time. Both with wireless networking.</p>
<p>Here is a link to a recent similar thread:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1322156-looking-compact-laser-printer-home-use.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1322156-looking-compact-laser-printer-home-use.html</a></p>
<p>If you’re getting a new PC that uses Windows 7, the new PC might not be compatible with some older printers. I had some HP b/w Laserjet 1012s that I could never get to work right with Windows 7 because HP doesn’t offer updated drivers for Windows 7 with some older HP printers.</p>
<p>I still use my old HP 4L Laserjet printer from the '90s as it is built well and has long-lasting cartridges. Am still on my second cartridge after nearly 20 years of constant moderate-heavy usage. </p>
<p>Only concern is that I haven’t tried it with Win 7 and it requires a parallel port. Fortunately, I have an old PIII tower that I use as a quasi-print server for that purpose.</p>