Choosing a new printer
I'm thinking about getting a new printer. My needs are basically to print out textual documents 2-3 times per month from macOS. I don't need to print photos. I will not buy an inkjet because of the outrageous price of the ink. I would like to have fax support (my spouse sees a lot of doctors and they still use fax machines a lot, and we're not comfortable sending personal medical info via a fax service on the web), and it would be nice if we could also scan documents. So I'm thinking a multi-function device.
We currently have a Brother 7840W MFC with print, fax, copy, and scan. It's over 10 years old (maybe 15?) and I dislike it. It's been slowly losing functionality over the past 5+ years. The WiFi went out, but I was able to connect it via wired ethernet to a computer and share it from there. The drivers insist that there's a paper jam, but there isn't and it prints just fine (but sounds like some of the internal mechanical components are going to die any day now.) The UI of the printer is awful. I recall having to use the phone pad to enter my WiFi password, and it was like texting on a Motorola StarTAC. (Like if you want the letter "C" press the number "2" three times, etc.) The drivers and related software don't work like normal macOS software. (Disclosure: I also once wrote a scanner driver for Brother and it was horrible, but they shipped it, so I'm not real comfortable putting their software on my computer. But that was 25 years ago, so maybe they're better now?)
I've heard horrible things about the drivers and software of most other major printer makers - HP, Epson, Lexmark, etc. I'm guessing what I'm looking for doesn't exist, but I just want a multi-function device in as small a package as is reasonable, and with a UI on the device and software that doesn't suck and that won't die on me in < 5 years. Does such a thing exist?
I gave up on having printers a long time ago. They're either awful of doesn't work. There's a print shop near my house. It's good enough for me.
This so much. I'd rather print at work, a print shop or anywhere else as long as I don't have to bother configuring it, fixing it or replacing ink all the time.
A printer should have been a fixed problem by now.
I can't help you as far as the printer goes, but USB fax modems are a thing in the case you can't find a MFC with fax these days. I've never used one though.
Oh yeah, that's a really good point. I forgot to consider that! Thanks for pointing it out.
I've dealt with a lot of printers in my decade of IT. If I were to buy a printer for myself, I'd look for an HP LaserJet business/Enterprise printer that fits my needs. HP has the least terrible drivers.
Again, it must be a business or Enterprise printer, all others are garbage and their drivers are garbage too.
Brother laser printers are fine for the money, but they all have the same problems you are seeing now, they slowly start to die. Also brother drivers and software is trash.
Although since you are using a Mac I'm not sure any of this advice is useful, I've always had bad luck with printers on macs.
Brother MFC-L2750DW. I went through my own research on this a month ago when I needed to replace my printer. The general consensus is if you need colour, the best option is an inkjet - and those are pricey in ink costs. So if you need something done with colour, it's almost always best to get your task done at an actual print shop. Luckily for you, you don't need colour, or at least you stated you do not need photos printed. The set-up for this printer is seamless, doesn't require any driver installation, and can be plugged in and set up in seconds if your only device to print with is as something as simple as a smartphone.
For anyone else that wants a multi-functioning printer with WiFi support as well, similar to the one above I've listed, but does not need the extra function that is fax support, get the Brother DCP-L2550DW.
Brother software is mediocre, but you can use generic printing drivers and operate it just fine. On an Android device, you can even use the default printing service too.