I got my last printer/scanner as a free gift when I bought my mac pro. But it is broken after I scanned about 250 pages! (I am not sure whether it is proper to mention the brand name here).

I hope you could help recommend a reliable and affordable one. I don't need fax function.

Thank you.
 

Shop at a store like Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, and see what they have that's compatible with Mac in your price range. The ones with the 'giveaway' rebates have it for a reason. Figure on paying around $130 or so for the lowest good quality model. Take a look at the price for consumables - and if the warranty is voided if you use off-brand consumables. You want a unit that has a separate Black cartridge, and separate cartridges for each of the colors.
I'm presently using a Lexmark at home, staying with the factory-brand ink cartridges, returning the empties for rebate, and watching for the advertised discounts and store coupons. It even prints double-sided as an internal function. Photo quality is not great - We do our snapshot printing at Target or Walmart. Check out reviews online for models & brands you're considering.

Fred Wagner

  

Yes, if you print photos at Walmart or Target, your costs will be lower, and quality is higher than any low-cost printer.

thank you! i am looking for something around $100.
It is my first time to know of Lexmark. will keep an eye on it. hope there is some good deal

The lower the price of the unit, the more you can count on the fact that they'll get your money on the ink! It's worth spending a bit more up front. On my Lexmark, the print-heads are separate from the ink cartridges, and the screen on the unit walks you through the process of changing the ink. The unit keeps you updated on the ink supply, so you can use each cartridge right down to the nub. I keep spares handy, and have been very happy with my unit. Most brands now come with WiFi built in, and it worked very well initially for us - two laptops and a wired desktop PC. Then my son brought home an iPhone with Wi-fi, and something went haywire in the configuration. After fussing with it a while, I just connected the printer/scanner by USB to the tower PC, and we use it that way.

Fred Wagner

  

Also the cheap one only come with sample inks. Do co for seperate ink colours.  It also depends on the quality of the scan image you want. I have a seperate scanner (not using at present as the software upgrade is $5000).  So as the othes said you can get a HP all in one for under $50 but the ink is not cheap.Epson have cheaper inks.

Never give up never give in.

There are no short cuts to anything worth doing   

last weekend I visited the store where I bought my Lexmark - the model I bought is no longer on display, there appears to be a new series started - but prices appear to be dropping, on all models.
You can look through the topics in this forum for observations on various makes - you'll pay for the printer with the ink - on my Lexmark, the statement on the outside of the bax cautioned that if you intended to use any Ink other than Lexmark brand, to return the unit unopened. I have a friend who bought the lexmark, and uses ink from Costco, and he is not happy with the way it works. I asked him if he read the statement on the box. He looked at me oddly!
If you were thinking about a low-end color laser, I've been that route - and was not happy - which is why I'm using a LexMark inkjet. Prior to the laser, I had HP inkjets, and WAY before that n IBM 24-pin ProPrinter.

Fred Wagner