A frugal OZaC reader asks:
“I have need for both a printer and scanner. Should I buy an all-in-one machine, or purchase both separately? I am particularly concerned about a hardware failure in one indirectly affecting the other.”
Great question, and ironically one that I just addressed myself. I found myself looking for both a printer and scanner for my home office, and pondering whether to buy an all-in-one machine or get them separately. If the printer should fail before the scanner, I would be forced to do one of the following:
- Have the printer repaired. This often costs as much as a new printer.
- Buy another printer, and continue using the all-in-one as a scanner. This wastes space.
- Junk the whole thing and buy a new printer and scanner. This is a waste of both money and perfectly good electronics.
In addition to not wanting to have to choose between these three options at some point in the future, I did not have an immediate need for the printer, so I chose to purchase the two separately.
What do OZaC readers think is more cost-effective? What is more convenient? A separate printer and scanner, or an all-in-one? Leave your answer in the comments.
Photo by liewcf.
