I’m seeking to purchase a Hewlett-Packard all-in-one device (printer, scanner, copier, fax) that is network-enabled and works with Ubuntu Feisty Fawn 7.04. It must also print color and black-and-white. I realize there is an Ubuntu WiKi listing compatible printers (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupport/) but I’d like to hear from Ubuntu users directly.
Can anyone recommend specific HP small office printer(s) that meet my needs as described above?
I want plug-and-play installation. Once I activate the printer on my office network, I want it to be super-easy for my desktops (Ubuntu/Dell PC, Mac OS laptop and Windows XP/Sony PC) to find the printer on the network and connect to it. No driver headaches. No endless hours searching support forums for guidance.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
All About Ubuntu 
http://www.linuxprinting.org
Daniel: I’m familiar with that site, but i’m seeking more personal feedback — anybody out there actually using a specific an HP 4-in-one (printer, scanner, fax, copier) that’s network enabled, color and black and white? Thoughts?
In doing some more research last night and today, I’m leaning toward the HP OfficeJet Pro L7580. If anyone has feedback on that model and its Ubuntu support, please let me know. It sounds like it’s a pretty good network-enabled all-in-one that supports Ubuntu.
I have that printer. Am using it with kubuntu 7.10.
Am very happy with the combination, except for one thing….
When printing grayscale (which is most of what I do!), HP
uses the color inks (in addition to the black ink) to achieve
“higher quality” results. The Linux driver gives me no way
to turn off this ink-wasting feature. The Mac+Windows versions do. 😦
I just set up an HP C6280 for my mother (she uses Ubuntu Gutsy). Setup was dead simple: install the cartridges, plug it into the network, install the HPLIP driver thingy, find your new printer from the admin control panel. Use your scanner from xsane. Make photo copies by pushing the button on the front of the machine.
Prints well, scans well, seems to be thrifty on ink (so far). All the printing configuration options in the software seem to work (I played around with pretty much all of them). It also has a nice web page accessible at the printer’s IP address so you can check on ink levels, pages printed, etc. You can even initiate a scan through the web interface. So far, everything I’ve tested seems to work. I have not tested using a direct USB connection to the computer, nor have I used the built-in flash-card slots.
I generally prefer Canon gear, and the pros I know say that Epsons produce the best output. But, I chose this printer because it uses the HP 02 ink system: 5 individual color cartridges, 1 black. No more tossing out 2/3rds of a good tri-color cart because you overused one color. Plus, the carts aren’t mounted on the printhead, so they’re cheaper, easier to refill, and can probably be converted to CIS (continuous ink system) fairly easily. You can buy a ‘Value Pack’ of the 6 carts plus 150 4×6 photo sheets for $35 (often on sale for $25).
My one tip:
Make sure to use the latest HPLIP off the web — that would be version 2.8.2. DO NOT use the version in the repositories, which seems to be stuck at 2.7.7
Oh wait, you said ‘fax’ (hmmm. . . fax. . . how quaint!) Dunno about the fax support. This printer doesn’t have it. I haven’t sent a fax since the ’90s.
The HP OfficeJet Pro L7580 is defiantely a great choise. Most of the newer model HP all in one printers will work. Happy printing
Thanks. I ultimately went with the HP OfficeJet J6480, which i assume is a close cousin to the OfficeJet Pro L7580.
Nice one; definitely, tho I today got the L7590, the successor of the L7580. Only difference AFAIK: the new one does duplex right OOTB. And support through HPLIP is just great.