Multi function printer

[blix9]

Hello, guys

I am in the market for a laser multifunction printer. You know. One of those all-in-one units that can do printer/scan/fax/copy. I need one as my primary document printer and have to use other functions from time to time. Also, I want something that will last for a long time.(No surprise there...)
I currently have a Xerox inkjet one but it reminds me of the printer that got murdered into pieces in the movie 'Office Space'. Actually, I plant to do the same as soon as I acquire a decent durable laser multifunction machine.

Can you guys make some recommendations? My budget is around $300. I took a look at some of the units at local stores. I am considering one of HP, Canon, or Brother. My concersns are...
1. HP: Very good print quality. Little more expensive. Paper cartridge not completely covered(introduces dust, primary reason my current Xerox bit the dust)
2. Canon: I know they make excellent photo inkjet printers but not sure about lasers and office machines. Found one so-so review about one of Canons.
3 Brother: Been hearing the name for a long time but don't know actually how they are. Looks little cheap. Sample print seems little more faded(lighter) than that of HP's

What do you guys think. I know this is not very popular kind of machines here but hey... I thouhgt there's no harm asking around.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Nazo]

Hrm, my grandmother is using a Cannon CX5200. I know, that's inkjet, but, I can safely tell you that she hasn't had any driver issues or anything like that. It works flawlessly without any fuss. I don't know if that's actually of any use to you since probably most work without any real troubles, just thought I'd point it out. Oh, and, probably this is common to them all, but, the primary reasion she bought it was because it has the ability to make a B&W or Color copy without the PC being turned on. My only real complaint about the thing is that it will refuse to even make a B&W copy or print B&W if even one of the color ink cartridges is out. Of course, they cost $12 or so at Office Depot, so not too big of a deal, just highly annoying. This might not even apply to a laser printer version of the same thing. They might not do the seperation of the cartridges like they did on this one to make it all more ink efficient (no waste since you don't have to buy a new 3 color cartridge just because you are out of cyan.)

Oh, and don't put TOO much stock in the sample prints. Don't forget people use those things all the time. That brother might be lower on ink than the rest, especially if it has been there longer.

EDIT: BTW, the person below me makes a good point. Does it have to be laser? Inkjets are starting to get a high enough resolution to look generally good enough for anything but the most discerning of users.

 

[Bitchnmoan]

Does it need to be laser? I picked up the HP PSC 2410 inkjet a while back and don't have any complaints yet. I probably don't use it nearly as much as most users, but so far, so good.

 

[blix9]

Thanks guys for comments.

If it could be an inkjet printer I thought I'd steer clear from HP. Because HP's printhead is integrated with ink cartridge making it much more expensive. HP's account is that everytime you change an ink, you change the print head with a brand new one so there's virtually no issue of print head nozzle cloggin up. I am not sure if this is the case with multifunction units. It is like that with all their photo printers for sure. I think, for inkjet machine, HP incorporates the same method.

I also looked at the inkjet based machines but everytime I look at my Xerox on my desk...I think "INKJET IS EVIL FOR OFFICE MACHINES"

If I was going to go with inkjet I was thinking of Canon....

Thanks, guys. Any more thoughts?