I Need a Techno Freeper to Tell Me What Printer to Purchase.

mlmr's little computer | 4/29/02 | mlmr

[mlmr]

I need to buy a printer. I run two small businesses off of my computer, one web-based and one not. I want a laser printer because I need to make excellent copies of text for handouts. I want a printer that has excellent quality, and inexpensive and easy to run because I am unable to figure out anything with more than three steps. I also want it to hold a decent amount of paper and print envelops easily. I have tried a few review sites like epinion and PC world and there just wasnt a lot there. MOst of the information was about inkjets. My only experience has been with HPs. I like them. Are they good? Or are NECs better? Plese save me!!

[mlmr]

Is the little ink box expensive on the samsung?

[mlmr]

Is a laserjet an ink jet or a laser printer. I want a laser that doesnt cost the world.

[Dinsdale]

Laserjets are tanks. You'll eventually take them into the woods and shoot them just so you can get a spiffy new one (unless you're the boss). Old hard drive make better targets IMHO, take off the cover, apply 12V, shoot.

They are/were expensive when new. Anybody want a working IID (10+ years old, not enough internal memory, 1.5 MB, to render with modern software, Freight COD). Don't expect modern plastic part printers to last as long, you get what you pay for.

[TheLurkerX]

HP Lasers. The 2000 and 4000 series are workhorses. They have a much better feeding mechanism than the cheaper lasers like Lexmark. The Lexmark printers are cheap, but the ink and toner will kill you. I still have an HP 4L I pulled out of a dumpster over 3 years ago, and it's still chugging away. I'll be the first one in line to bash HP's computers, but you can't really beat their printers.

[buffyt]

Go to a few office supply stores like Office Max and talk to the salesperson who knows about the printers. We did this and learned MORE than we needed to know! I just wanted a cheap printer to use with my laptop. There is usually someone at these stores who really knows a lot about printers, and if not, ask the manager for someone who can really help you. They can answer questions specific to your requirements. We bought a cheap one and a very expensive one, and they are both good.....

[dennisw]

I hope mlmr sees your post. If I needed a laser printer for business I would buy a used HP laser of the same vintage as yours. Heavy but durable.

[mlmr]

is there a place where one can get used equipment??

[Lokibob]

HP. I have used one for 6 years now and am really impressed. A couple of times I had a problem with it, and had to go to their web site. Did a search for maintenance and found detailed instructiuons for correcting the problem including pictures. The other manufacturers ask if it is plugged in, and if so, send in to be fixed.

Warning tho, the HP requires a special printer cable, make sure it is a cable for the machine you buy.

[July 4th]

I have two HP Laserjets. One is a few years old, 600 dpi, and runs like a champ. The other (a 300 dpi) was made in March, 1989, and has over 150,000 printed pages to its credit. If you're looking for reliability, I think there's only one way to go.

[Thud]

Hewlett Packard 2200dse LaserJet Printer if you run less than @ 200 pages a day. $799 from Amazon at:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005AV8V/qid=1020125379/br=2-5/ref=br_ts_slwth_th_5/104-9961865-8123165

If you print more than 200 sheets a day, spend $1099 on a Hewlett Packard 4100 LaserJet Printer:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005AKAO/qid=1020125579/sr=1-9/ref=sr_1_9/104-9961865-8123165

[mlmr]

You are right, I need ease and reliability. A comfortable printer.

[dennisw]

is there a place where one can get used equipment??

Go to a local used computer equipment store or go to EBAY and buy locally. The old HPs are heavy and worth picking up yourself and not shipped.

Please notice that EBAY makes it very easy to look for your items in your own locale. Let's say you live in Philadelphia and want an HP printer........

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&
query=hp&maxRecordsPerpage=100&category3=16187&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&ht
=1&st=2&EndYear=%28null%29&combine=y&sc=2&region=38

 

Also here>>>

Used Laser Printers - PCs Evolve - Used HP Printers, discount ...
... Quantities subject to change. All printers come with a 30 day ... Receiver (FIR) pod for
hp LaserJet 4050, 4100, 4550, 8100 & 8150 series, Used, 8, C4103A, $5.00, ...
www.pcsevolve.com/products/inventory_printers.asp - 36k - Cached - Similar pages

 

 

[BraveMan]

This thread is being Freeped by Hewlett-Packard . . .

Every HP printer I've owned or worked with has been trouble. My next printer will be a Canon C80 Stylus.

[balrog666]

Is the little ink box expensive on the samsung?

Sorry, I don't know yet. I haven't printed the ~6000 pages needed to require a refill.

Good point though, the HP6MP has been through more than that with many odd shaped printing like postcards, personal envelopes, and heavy gauge envelopes and, because I use it so much for the heavy work, I keep a spare toner cartridge around for it.

[I Luv Bush]

We use an HP laser at work and it is bulletproof. Very few problems, 300+ sheets a day.

[mlmr]

Thats what I meant to call it : Toner Cartridge! Is it expensive??

[balrog666]

This thread is being Freeped by Hewlett-Packard . . . Every HP printer I've owned or worked with has been trouble. My next printer will be a Canon C80 Stylus.

BWAHAHAHAHA! Sorry, you're the shill here! I've owned more HP printers than years you've been alive (I used to own a graphics design shop and commercial printer when my daughter worked in that field).

[Goldi-Lox]

First: what are your requirements (other than simplicity)? High volume? Color? Black/White greyscale?

There are several solutions: If you have a need for high volume and do not need color...definately go with a HP Laser printer. NOT a low end, but definately mid priced. It will last a good 5-10 years without major problems, and the toner cartridges are super easy to change and last for months and months.

If you need color...that's more complicated. I've had 4 different color printers. All fairly good. However, if you do not print out more than 1 page now and then, do NOT get an Epson, or any other printer with refillable tanks. They clog up and it takes forever to unclog them. Often you have to replace the printer (that's why I've had 4!) entirely, since the print head is so clogged with dry ink. Unclogging it is messy too. My current color printer is PERFECT. I can print one page a month, or 50 pages a day without any problems....it's a CANON S630, and I highly recommend it, or a model comperable. It's easy to use, easy to add ink, one color at a time (cheap too), and reliable. Don't get the cheapest...you get what you pay for.

[balrog666]

Thats what I meant to call it : Toner Cartridge! Is it expensive??

Sorry, I haven't checked. Most cartridges last 6000+ pages (less if you print a lot of graphics or solid black areas). I have an Office Max and a Staples right down the road and the internet is always stocked, so I only refill when I need to do so. But, from past experience, most refill cartridges are quite comparable in price (say $100) and last 4000 (refilled cartridges) to 6-8000 impressions (new).

Also, having indulged in refilled toner cartridges in the past (hey, they are cheaper), I will never use them again.

[boris]

Epson Stylus Photo printers are the best inkjets, period.

HP's inkjets are mediocre.

For a black-and-white laser, you cannot beat an HP.

--Boris