Printers and Scanners for Ubuntu (12.04, or 13.04)

[Gilles Gravier]

Hi, gang!

I'm working with a small company (whyopencomputing. ch) that sells
Ubuntu (12.04 LTS 64bits) pre-equiped laptops and desktops in
Switzerland. We want to recommend to our customers one or more printers
+ scanners that will run with no, or as little as possible configuration
on Ubuntu (ideally 12.04 LTS 64 bits and above).

Ideally, we're looking for a printer+scanner machine. USB and/or networked.

We've tried some Brother machines... but the latest one we tried,
Brother has 32 bit drivers, so you have to manually install 32 bit
compatibility libraries, and then install their drivers. Not something
we want our customers (very basic users) to attempt. I know geeks will
do it easy. But not everybody. And since the drivers are proprietary, we
don't want to pre-bundle them either.

I want something that prints directly with CUPS or LPR.
I want something that scans directly with xsane or Simple Scan.
I want something that's recent enough that it can still be purchased in
mainstream shops.
I want something that's energy star compliant.
I want at least some printers that print duplex.

Yeah... I know. I want a lots of things. But I don't want a poney. And
I'm aware it's not Xmas yet. :)

Any suggestions? Prior experience?

Thanks a lot!

Gilles