Laser Printers - DPChallenge Forums

04/29/2005 10:50:04 AM · #1

I've decided to finally replace my long broken HP IIIp laser printer. I'm primarily interested in the inexpensive black only models but having gone through numerous reviews I'm starting to get a little confused. Have any of you purchased an inexpensive laser printer recently? Any thoughts on the model you purchased?

04/29/2005 10:58:23 AM · #2

Originally posted by TechnoShroom:

Come to Toronto and I'll give you one. lol I have 4 working and only 1 lan printer. HP Laserjet series 4si is the one I use for my home network and I think I have 3 more kicking around. There not new but when they are free who cares.

04/29/2005 11:03:28 AM · #3

I am still running my 11 year old HP 4p. I was thinking of getting an HP color (2500) since they are at $400-600 range.

I began researching...and well, I am getting nothing.

First, i really want duplexing. give that one up, as it is an expensive option. I looked at teh Xerox, HP, brother, Samsung and Oki. Xerox i rules out for cost, the brother cause getting refills is difficult, HP 2550 base model has NO paper drawer and gets bad reviews. The Oki and Samsung were my two favs, but all of them come with starter toner cartridges. Full cartridges have good long life, but cost $125/color (and there be 3 of them) and $70-100 for black.

if my calculations are right and i can trust theirs, i might never need to buy a cartridge...(i have used less than 3 cartridgees in 11 years at 3,000pg/cartridge on my HP) -but if i do it would be cheaper to buy another printer! I don't like that business model. not at all. no i don't.

so i fixed my epson inkjet. Now i have to print in color every week to keep it working...i don;t like that business model either...

Time to start a printer company me thinks.

Does that help you? At all?

04/29/2005 11:04:57 AM · #4

Originally posted by notonline:

We sstart a chain...I come and pick up all 3. I keep one and drive the other 2 west. A DPC member meets me, takes 2 keeps one, and drives west. 'Shroom drives east and picks the one that is left.

04/29/2005 11:08:39 AM · #5

If you want to. I can get it to the detroit border but cannot cross. lol

04/29/2005 11:12:13 AM · #6

Originally posted by notonline:

If you want to. I can get it to the detroit border but cannot cross. lol

you terrorist. (i'm jesting there - see tounge in my cheek?
or still hiding from the Draft?
Or is it you ware protesting the beer/beaver/dog incident? That was down south, so don't hold Michigan at fault!

Message edited by author 2005-04-29 11:12:58.

04/29/2005 11:14:19 AM · #7

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

Originally posted by notonline:
If you want to. I can get it to the detroit border but cannot cross. lol

you terrorist.
or still hiding from the Draft?
Or is it you ware protesting the beer/beaver/dog incident? That was down south, so don't hold Michigan at fault!

Terrorist??? altho I do play with guns, ammo and explosives I have run into the law and connot cross for another 1.5 years. I was going to try and may be able to get into buffalo but definately not detroit.

04/29/2005 11:49:34 AM · #8

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

We sstart a chain...I come and pick up all 3. I keep one and drive the other 2 west. A DPC member meets me, takes 2 keeps one, and drives west. 'Shroom drives east and picks the one that is left.

So are we ready? I've got my car keys and a bag lunch at the ready.

Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

04/29/2005 12:20:21 PM · #9

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

I began researching...and well, I am getting nothing.

Does that help you? At all?

Sort of. I'm primarily looking at the very low end monochrome units because I don't have a heavy printing need for the replacement. Having looked into the replacement toner prices I've come to the same conclusion as you... I'd throw away the printer rather than replace the cartridge.

Duplex isn't important to me but I want a straight pass through for printing on heavy stock.

I think it's the printer reviews that give me the biggest pause. It's hard to get a good idea of the quality of the printer when the professional and user reviews seem to vary wildly.

Ram21

Canon EOS-10D

04/29/2005 12:29:19 PM · #10

Originally posted by TechnoShroom:

When our HPIII died we replaced it with the smaller LaserJet 1300n, there is now a 1350.

Most definately a really good medium duty printer for the price of a light duty. You can also purchase without the network.

Message edited by author 2005-04-29 12:31:48.

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Canon

04/29/2005 12:31:16 PM · #11

THe reviews drove me nuts too. The consumer ones convinced me to skip the Brother and HP.
I have used HP printers (several kinds) and they are sturdy, reliable and have good drivers that are updated (hence my 11 year old printer is runnign XP Pro SP2 just fine). Not all companies are this good (Xerox being one I have had experience with)

ONe of the color lasers has a straight thru path...oki maybe? I forget noe. I was leaning toward it the most. With full cartridges some of these color lasers can do 7,000 black and 3,000 of each color. that is some 16,000 pages (depends on your math. I assume 5% coverage TOTAL. One magazine review added all the colors to gether to get a ridiculous 11.6 cents per page! printing cost. i get under 2 cents). Since my current printer is under 9,000 pages that 16,000 would last me forever. Even with 1./2 or 1/3 full cartridges i might go for 7+ years without a refill.

One of them...i forget which one, counts pages printed NOT toner used, so once you hit 3,000 pages the printer will not print anymore even if there is toner left. My HP 4p will print until it runs dry.

Again, some of these companies have a business model that i do not agree with.

ElGordo

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

04/29/2005 12:42:49 PM · #12

I have been researching laser color printers in hopes of finding one that will provide quality photo printing at reasonable cost. I do not consider $1 per page (full color 80% coverage) reasonable. Looks like the laser printer manufacturers are taking a cue from the inkjet boys: sell the printer cheap and charge like hell for the toner!
After market toners are available at somewhat lower prices, but still too expensive for my budget! In addition, I have yet to see a laser photo print that even approaches the quality of a good inkjet print.

muckpond

Nikon D200

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Nikon

04/29/2005 12:46:58 PM · #13

we have had great luck with our brother 5170dn b/w printer here in the office. it was easy to setup and has been quite the trooper while being hit pretty hard. and it was cheap!

04/29/2005 01:04:38 PM · #14

Originally posted by ElGordo:

I have labs available for printing photos. My laser (b&w) is 1.3 cents a page (on average). My Epson 785 color inkjet is just under 6 cents page, color or b&w. The laser lasts YEARS between fill ups. I had to refill the inkjet in 6 weeks. A real PITA in the middle of the night, and of course the first store is out of the cartridge you need...the laser will keep on making (light maybe) prints for a few WEEKS - plenty of time to mailorder a cartridge.

Also, i am on my first laser (bought in '94). I am on my 5th inkjet...the higher initial cost (if there is one) for a laser is justified.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

04/29/2005 01:09:51 PM · #15

Originally posted by muckpond:

we have had great luck with our brother 5170dn b/w printer here in the office. it was easy to setup and has been quite the trooper while being hit pretty hard. and it was cheap!

About half of what I print would include a chart or two. Some reviews said the 5170 wasn't good with graphics. What have you experienced?

aronya1

Nikon D70

04/29/2005 01:12:34 PM · #16

I can't suggest a particular model, but you might want to check around at your local printer repair shops. They can tell you what's dependable. Also, many of them will have refurbished/reposessed/lease returned models at much cheaper prices than new.

Nordlys

Canon EOS R10

04/29/2005 01:28:09 PM · #17

I got a Brother HL-1440 a year or two ago, and really like it. It's the highest rated by Consumer Reports, and also one of the least expensive.

Nordlys