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Bikerjon
Original Poster
668 posts
30 months
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Hi,
Currently on the lookout for a multi-function printer for a small office that is also apple airprint compatible for using with iPads. Must be laser not inkjet and have the usual copy/fax/scan capabilities. Doesn't need to be industrial sized as only for a very small office. I've seen HP do a few but wondered if anyone has any recommendations?
Thanks in advance
Jon
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Podie
38,380 posts
144 months
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Got one currently?
If so, take a look at the Lantronix printserver.
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Bikerjon
Original Poster
668 posts
30 months
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Podie said: Got one currently?
If so, take a look at the Lantronix printserver. No, starting from scratch for this one. Lantronix is an interesting solution otherwise though. I know that some of the printer manufaturers have their own "apps" to handle printing so I don't necessarily need an official airprint certified printer if an app will achieve the same thing.
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Podie
38,380 posts
144 months
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Bikerjon said: Podie said: Got one currently?
If so, take a look at the Lantronix printserver. No, starting from scratch for this one. Lantronix is an interesting solution otherwise though. I know that some of the printer manufaturers have their own "apps" to handle printing so I don't necessarily need an official airprint certified printer if an app will achieve the same thing. For reference, we wheeled a Lantronix device in and it works well. Looking at a few more now to give coverage around the office.
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mojitomax
1,189 posts
61 months
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Mac or windows?
If mac then you can USB to a machine that is always on and install an AirPrint server type app that will allow all IDevices to air print to it. It also allows all other macs to print (via AirPrint or printer sharing). It also allows the macs to scan from it (via scanner sharing).
If windows, I don't know.
Also if you do find one, check that it allows proper wireless scanning to all the machines.
I know you don't want an inkjet, but I have the new canon inkjet with AirPrint. It comes with a nifty canon IDevices app that allows one to scan into an IDevice. Fantastic for quickly scanning and emailing without firing up the laptop.
Hope that helps
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lestag
3,790 posts
145 months
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Bikerjon
Original Poster
668 posts
30 months
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mojitomax said: Mac or windows?
If mac then you can USB to a machine that is always on and install an AirPrint server type app that will allow all IDevices to air print to it. It also allows all other macs to print (via AirPrint or printer sharing). It also allows the macs to scan from it (via scanner sharing).
If windows, I don't know.
Also if you do find one, check that it allows proper wireless scanning to all the machines.
I know you don't want an inkjet, but I have the new canon inkjet with AirPrint. It comes with a nifty canon IDevices app that allows one to scan into an IDevice. Fantastic for quickly scanning and emailing without firing up the laptop.
Hope that helps Windows machines but the printer will be directly attached to the network - not usb. The canon app sounds like the kind of functionality I want. Samsung do a similar thing I think. Has to be laser rather than inkjet though!
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Bikerjon
Original Poster
668 posts
30 months
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lestag said: Yes, the printopia app looks like it would do it if the printer was going to be hooked up to a host mac but unfortunately in this case it wont! Printer will be directly attached to the network.
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williredale
1,148 posts
21 months
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Bikerjon said: Yes, the printopia app looks like it would do it if the printer was going to be hooked up to a host mac but unfortunately in this case it wont! Printer will be directly attached to the network. Which is what I want to do too. Not found anything that will work yet though which is rather fustrating! 
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BenM77
2,109 posts
33 months
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I wouldn't buy a printer based on AirPrint, just get the best laser printer you can and then get the free app that will no doubt be available for it.
I bought a HP AirPrint printer and getting AirPrint to work was a nightmare, I don't bother now and just use the HP app which gives more options and works every time. I would be surprised if there are any printers for sale without a free app for IOS devices.
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Bikerjon
Original Poster
668 posts
30 months
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BenM77 said: I wouldn't buy a printer based on AirPrint, just get the best laser printer you can and then get the free app that will no doubt be available for it. Yes, beginning to think this is the way forward but noticed that some of the manufacturer apps don't support all models and it's also not clear how you can print something like an email without an airprint compatible printer? The apps that I've seen so far tend to focus on printing photos or webpages. It would also be very handy to do wireless scanning as well. HP and Samsung seem to be the main contenders at the moment.
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williredale
1,148 posts
21 months
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BenM77 said: I wouldn't buy a printer based on AirPrint, just get the best laser printer you can and then get the free app that will no doubt be available for it.
I bought a HP AirPrint printer and getting AirPrint to work was a nightmare, I don't bother now and just use the HP app which gives more options and works every time. I would be surprised if there are any printers for sale without a free app for IOS devices. You sir are a genius! I've been looking at generic printing apps for ages and couldn't find one which worked properly. Just downloaded the free HP one and it just works! ETA - I can't make it print from Mail but I can if I open the web front end for my email. This may not suit the OP.
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BenM77
2,109 posts
33 months
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Bikerjon said: BenM77 said: I wouldn't buy a printer based on AirPrint, just get the best laser printer you can and then get the free app that will no doubt be available for it. Yes, beginning to think this is the way forward but noticed that some of the manufacturer apps don't support all models and it's also not clear how you can print something like an email without an airprint compatible printer? The apps that I've seen so far tend to focus on printing photos or webpages. It would also be very handy to do wireless scanning as well. HP and Samsung seem to be the main contenders at the moment. Good point about the emails, my HP app only looks at my camera roll, saying that I just printed an email from my phone using AirPrint and it worked fine first time ! I would still go with the best printer for your money and then get a print protocol setup, unless an AirPrint printer is similar priced then it must be worth a go.
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