Portable printer & scaner

[BO Terry]

I have a client looking for a portable/travel printer/scanner. His idea is that he will use it while working from his laptop at client sites or in a hotel. I suggested to him that he could use something like ScanGenius or the Dropbox scan app to handle the scanning but he doesn't like that idea. He wants to use a print/scan all in one for a similar experience to bis

He will be using it with his W10 laptop, printing and scanning will standard 8 1/2 x 11 paper.

I've never shopped for one of these and would feedback on particular units as well as comments on features to look for and things to avoid. Thanks!

FYI, I plan to talk to him about the actual time savings (??) this will (will not??) provide him because of the need to setup each time and likely (from some I’ve read) slower performance that may come from something like this. That said, if he still wants to move forward, I would like to have some options for him.

**Edit**

On further conversation, he plans to use this when he travels but will not use it in the car. He will set it up in his hotel. Does this information open up the choices any for an all-in-one unit? For the most part,

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Canon makes a little portable printer...a little Pixma model.

Most people that use these, have mobile offices setup in their car, plenty of electrical adapters, "desktop" surface on a big center console or on the passenger seat.

I've had healthcare clients do this, as well as professions such as home inspectors. You can get an optional external battery pack for it too! They can connect via USB, some..bluetooth, others...even just ad-hoc wifi or regular wifi like if tethered in the car along with the laptop on a 4G connection.

 

[britechguy]

It would be worth checking whether there is really a need for the printer option, or just scanner.

There are scads of really portable "bar" scanners. And they get used a lot in "non-portable" settings like banks where there is a constant need to scan documents at virtually any workstation.

 

[fincoder]

I believe the Canon is only a single function printer.
HP has the only multifunction portable printer as far as I know.
HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile All-in-One Printer | HP® Australia

 

[River Valley Computer]

I believe the Canon is only a single function printer.
HP has the only multifunction portable printer as far as I know.
HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile All-in-One Printer | HP® Australia

The HP 250 is a versatile portable unit and can be hooked up via USB, Wifi or HP Direct. Kind of a challenge to get it set up wifi or HP Direct but it can be done.

 

[alexsmith2709]

I'd go with the HP officejet 250 if they need an All-in-One. Its not cheap, but it is portable.

 

[Markverhyden]

I'd also recommend the 250.

Much depends on exactly what scanning and printing he's doing. There's ton's of takepicture2PDF apps out there but they won't be as accurate as one from a scanner.

 

[BO Terry]

Thanks everyone. I've looked at the HP 250 to present and run into issues. My two suppliers show this as "Authorization Required". I'd rather buy through a supplier or direct rather than somewhere like Amazon or Staples so I can upgrade the warranty (I encourage this with mobile devices). The problem with the suppliers and HP direct two-fold: one of the authorization criteria is: "
"Meet a 12-month minimum shipment of either $30k for HP Print Hardware OR $30k in HP Supplies
OR $100k for all HP Printing & Personal Systems products (all product lines)." which I definitely will not touch. 2nd: HP direct is actually out of stock.

Depending on the speed delivery they require, I will either try to wait or go for a printer with a separate bar scanner.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Eh sorry, my mind focused on her thread title..and not the meat of the thread so I didn't mention MFP. Of the "road warriors" I've done mobile setups for...they all used separate small "ultra portable" wand scanners. Like those tiny Epsons or Fujitsus. But lately...I haven't been asked to provide a scanner, more are using smart phones for this...such as MS Lens....scan right to your OneDrive.

 

[BO Terry]

Eh sorry, my mind focused on her thread title..and not the meat of the thread so I didn't mention MFP. Of the "road warriors" I've done mobile setups for...they all used separate small "ultra portable" wand scanners. Like those tiny Epsons or Fujitsus. But lately...I haven't been asked to provide a scanner, more are using smart phones for this...such as MS Lens....scan right to your OneDrive.

Good point on the title, I updated it. I actually have a Fujitsu on my desk that I like and used to have a bar scanner that did a nice job. I have a call with him later and will present this option.