At Sat, 28 Mar 2026 15:32:28 +0000 [email protected] wrote: > > Tom Browder <[email protected]> wrote: > > I'm giving up on HP printers. Can anyone recommend a reliable color > > printer that can operate with Debian to: > > > > + operate completely duplex > > + scan to a PDF file > > + scan to a paper copy > > + able to operate independently on my local network with its own IP > > address and ethernet port > > That makes it look like you're looking for two functions: printing and > scanning. Is that correct, and if so, why insist on having them > combined?
There are "Multi Function" printers, which compine a scanner and a printer, and include firmware that implements a "photo copy" function (scanner => printer), as well as basic scan functions (scan => Computer). Many also include a FAX modem and support scan to FAX and FAX to printer, although I don't know if anyone bothers with faxing anymore. Most (all?) laser printers have Ethernet and/or WiFi connectivity. I believe the OP is talking about a "Multi Function" printer, which is pretty much the "common" option for scan functionally these days. While separate scanners are available, it might be more cost effective to just get a Multi Function printer (printer w/ built in scanner). Smaller desktop footprint and generally cheaper (than a separate printer and scanner). Also simplier in terms of software and operation eg making a photo copy (scan => print) is just a few button presses rather than multiple computer applications (many mouse clicks or cli commands). Our local library has a low-cost little Lexmark "Multi Function" printer, that I originally set up with Ubuntu, so I know it will work with Debian (at least for printing). I have a B&W Brother printer (print only) that I bought over 10 years ago (probably going on 15 years now) and trivially set up with Centos 4 and sucessively with Centos 5, 6, Ubuntu, and most recently with Raspbian 11. > > > -- Robert Heller -- Cell: 413-658-7953 GV: 978-633-5364 Deepwoods Software -- Custom Software Services http://www.deepsoft.com/ -- Linux Administration Services [email protected] -- Webhosting Services
