My quest for a new printer began a few months ago. I currently have a Brother HL1240 b/w laser printer, which I bought more than eight years ago. It cost me a fortune, but it has been a solid workhorse.

There was no particular reason to buy a new one; I was contemplating a colour printer. As well, it would be nice to have networking facility so that I could connect a second computer.

After going through the reviews of some computers, I decided to put off buying one for now.

Then, as if it sensed my desire to ditch it, the Brother stopped working.

Now, I have to buy one.

Again, I have spent hours pouring through various online reviews.

My requisites are:

All-in-one (scan, copying, faxing and printing)

Good quality printing

Network facility (Ethernet is sufficient)

Colour not essential.

I finally closed-in on three models:

Brother 9320CW (the most expensive)

HP CM1312NFI

HP 1312NFI

Brother 7840W (the only b/w in the lot and the least expensive)

Brother MFC 7840W

The reviews are as confusing as it can get. If one review says that the print quality of one is particular model is good, the other would make it doubtful. And for one printer, one reviewer complained bitterly about software issues. But another review claimed that while it had software issues, they can be tackled easily.

Then another review threw in a new aspect: the newness of the models. It seems that except the first one, the rest two are kind of reaching their peak time, but obviously, I would like to buy a new one.

So, I will do some more research, and keep posted.