Epson WorkForce 845 All-in-One Printer user reviews

2.5 stars

"A light package but Lacks important E-Commerce tools" on January 23, 2012 by BuilderToTheStars

Pros: Larger than other screens, small footprint, light to carry, quick printing, decent quality prints, prints E-mails from Android, Iphone, Blackberry, print from SD Card, BLAZING FAST WIFI, no giant transformer on the power line, fold-away touch screen.

Cons: Per Espon: Doesn't scan to web-based E-mails such as Gmail only to MAPI-based e-mails such as Outlook -must scan to PC first. Auto Document feeder and paper trays seem flimsy. Output tray seems flimsy. This printer's engine is VERY LOUD.

Summary: I run a contracting firm in Las Vegas, so I'm usually on the go. Web based plans, submittal packages, and electronic communication slow me down unless I have a competent All-In-One on my desk, and I've had a long string of them since Y2K. This will be my third Wi-Fi enabled machine. I know them well and tend to be critical, but can overlook design flaws IF the machine can help minimize my office time. This is the wrong machine for someone like me.

After watching CNET review video, I was excited to find that Office Max had this printer on weekly ad for $139.00. I went immediately and bought it. Just as described, it is fast, light, compact and efficient. At a price.

It feels like in order to save weight, the product designers cut corners on moving parts which should feel solid, such as the auto document feeder, the paper trays, and the output tray. All of which feel flimsy enough to break after a few months on my desk. Looks pretty but feels shabby. But I can live with that if it performs well.

A full set-up meant I needed to download 3 firmware updates to make it do things (like print from my phone) which it was advertised to do, but did not ship with the software. But I could live with that hour wasted.

I cannot get it to scan to my 64-bit enabled Windows 7 PC. AT ALL. (My other 2 PCs running 32-bit Windows 7 accepted scans fine). I just don't have another hour to contact Tech support to figure this one out. I could live with it if it would scan to my Gmail account.

BUT IT DOES NOT SCAN TO INTERNET-BASED E-MAIL. I learned that only after spending another hour on Epson's FAQ website looking for answers. It is advertised to scan to E-mail. But in order to do that, it must first scan to your PC and THEN start up your E-mail software in lieu of a real scan-to-Email setup which sends from the machine directly to your web-based E-mail address. After having two HP 8500's do that flawlessly, I was shocked that this machine will not. So lastly, and most importantly, I consider the ability for the machine to scan directly to my web-based E-mail (Gmail, Yahoo, etc) a necessity.

I don't know if the print cartridges will last very long, they are very tiny. 3 color cartridges about the size of a matchbox and the black one is double that. But I understand that they use alcohol-based inks which might be the reason for the size?

Additionally, it is the loudest All-in-one I've ever owned. How loud? Make them run it for you in the store first.

And being that I work in the desert, I'm concerned that the dust will somehow mess up the feeding mechanisms in the paper trays since they are open (big slots on the front).

Although I was not very happy with the WIFI speed on my previous HP 8500, I will probably go get the new HP 8600 Premium now because I know from previous experience that it will work properly out of the box with my PC and Scan to my Gmail account and be quiet while doing it. Yes it will cost me $300.00 but I've been hearing from my peers that it's quiet, fast, and works well.

I hope this helps someone out there!