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Portable Printers

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Back in the day, when hard drive sizes were measured in megabytes and entry level laptops were a 4 figure purchase, I had a portable printer. I think it was made by Brother and was about the size of a carton of cigarettes. Monochrome, a choice of 2 fonts, battery or A/C power, and printed about 1 page per minute. Nothing fancy but it served it's purpose.

Anyone have a modern portable printer that they like?

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Comments (6)

kudzu9
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Sure...here's a link to several: Portable printer

You'll have to scroll through a couple of pages to find the truly small ones, but they are there.
mike_kaiser_gw
Original Author
7 years ago
I know they're still made but I was just wondering if anyone here had one. I'd much prefer the recommendation of, say, you or one of the other regulars, instead of some random stranger.
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I had an expensive HP portable printer, stand alone, no copier/scanner. I don't remember the model. It was a great printer, and I had/have a flat bed scanner, so didn't need the other anyway. It worked great. I used the Costco refills once. Worked fine. The next time the printer wouldn't work. I bought new HP cartridges. Didn't work. Bought new HP cartridges. Worked fine. Next time I bought new HP cartridges, the printer never worked again. This printer was over $200, and only available at Staples. I loved it. Didn't buy a new one. I bought a cheap all in one from Walmart for about $70 that had wireless printing capabilities. No more refills for me. Having said that DDIL uses refill all the time, something about continuous refill? From Amazon. If anyone wants more information on that, let me know and I will find out.
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kudzu9
7 years ago
Muke-

Are you thinking of using one for your main printer, or just as a convenience when away from home? Sorry, I can*t give you a specific recommendation. I did travel a couple of years ago with someone who used a small printer to print out color photos for a scrapbook she worked on each night. The quality was ok, but I think it did only 4" X 6". Can't remember the brand, but it was pretty neat. Good luck with your hunt.
User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I've used the Brother Line of Portable Printers. The DPI on them is between 200 to 300. They use Thermal Paper, so you're not really using Ink or Toner like older Portable Printers used. They are Very Pricey IMO, but if it's something you really need it may be well worth your money! Brother Pocketjet 6

I don't have one of these Printers but I do have a Brother QL-570 Label Printer which is a Thermal Label Printer (Desktop Model). I really like this Printer, been a handy tool. I've even used it to make Christmas Labels one year when we ran out (they're Black Only), but I'm able to incorporate Images into the labels. I originally had the QL-500 but got a great deal on the Brother QL-570, a much nicer Label print IMO.

I'm sure HP, Canon, Epson and a few other manufacturers make Portable Printers. But I have no experience with those brand of Portables. The Four I named are good brand names, but I'm sure they all have their own Lemons. I would use as many Reviews on these printers as I could before spending that kind of money. The Reviews should help you at least avoid a Lemon!
mike_kaiser_gw
Original Author
7 years ago
Those Brother PocketJet printers look a lot like the one I used to have but mine used plain paper and a ribbon. Prices are way more than I'd be willing to pay but it's nice to know they exist.

I have a Brother QL for printing labels too. Got it "free" with a laser printer I bought about 10 years ago. Both are great products, the laser is still on it's first toner cartridge!
User
7 years ago
I have Two Brother Color Laser All-In-Ones (DCP9040cn & MFC-9440cn) and a Brother AIO Ink Jet (MFC-845cw). The Brother Laser Printer are pretty darn good on the Toner consumption.

The Nicer of the two Color Lasers has an Error right now (Paper Jammed). Haven't had time to figure out where there is paper jammed at, can't see it right off so it must be a small piece.

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