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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses various experiences and opinions regarding laser printers, particularly focusing on different brands and their performance. Participants share their personal experiences with specific models and the costs associated with purchasing and maintaining laser printers.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal, Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, mentions the ongoing cost of black ink for their current printer and considers switching to a laser printer due to increased printing needs.
  • Another participant shares their positive experience with HP printers, stating they have been reliable over many years.
  • A different participant discusses their Brother printer, highlighting its usefulness and cost-effectiveness in terms of ink usage.
  • One user notes the high upfront costs of laser printers, including the price of cartridges, and suggests that their printing volume may not justify the investment.
  • Another participant mentions the benefits of monochrome laser printers for infrequent printing, emphasizing the longevity of toner cartridges compared to inkjet cartridges.
  • One participant expresses their cautious approach to purchasing a printer, indicating they are still researching options before making a decision.
  • A participant shares their experience of switching from a Brother laser printer to an HP model, noting better reliability with the HP printer.
  • Another user states they have had no success with Brother printers but have had good experiences with HP models.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ regarding the reliability and performance of Brother versus HP printers, with some participants expressing strong preferences for HP while others have had positive experiences with Brother. There is no clear consensus on which brand is superior.

Contextual Notes

Participants' experiences vary widely based on their individual usage patterns and needs, with some focusing on cost-effectiveness and others on reliability and performance.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for consultants considering a laser printer for their business needs, particularly those weighing the pros and cons of different brands and models.

NooraK
NooraK
Gold Member
Messages
5,854
I've been tossing around the idea of buying a laser printer for the last few months. I haven't been keeping good track, but I feel like I'm constantly buying black ink for my current printer, even though I print almost everything in "draft" mode. And if I'm going to increase my show schedule, my need for printing will only increase.

I saw this at Office Max:

http://www.officemax.com/catalog/sku.jsp?productId=prod1280004

And there's also this one, which is wireless-capable:

http://www.officemax.com/catalog/sku.jsp?skuId=21564362&csId=2-69-306-56-3-26014-25994-56-306-33-56-306-136-0-2

Those of you who have laser printers, what are the cons you have encountered? Do you have problems printing things like labels? What about unusually sized things like envelopes or note/post cards?

DH isn't too keen on those two, because he doesn't have a good impression of Brother. HP seems to get good reviews often, but the cheapest Office Max had was this:

http://www.officemax.com/catalog/sku.jsp?productId=prod1280002&history=zyv8iqzp|prodPage~15^freeText~p1006^paramValue~true^refine~1^region~1^param~return_skus^return_skus~Y

TIA for any help or insight you can provide!
 
I have had several HP printers over the years. They are bullet proof. I have one right now that is probably 10-12 years old and still going strong. I have a Samsun laser that I really like, too. I have way too many printers: an Epson (also a photo printer and I hate it), a Samsung (color laser that my stepmother gave me--love it), and HP all in on that I mentioned above. HP is amazing.
 
I have a Brother 5040 that I bought when I started my PC Biz and it was totally useful when I was in my heydey. Printed everything easily and without worry for running out of ink or spending too much on ink.Instead of printing in color, I just got a package of assorted Astrobrights and I'd print my flyers on different colored papers to make it interesting.
 
I toyed with the idea of getting a laser printer when my HP went kaput. Basically, lasers are great but a super heavy upfront cost! Take for example, ink cartridges. I think you need 5 different ones and they cost, on average, $80 EACH. So, as you are looking at the cost up front, to get a good quality laser printer, you are looking at about $300 (and more if you want wireless and color lasers...&/or AIO's) then about $400 more to get the cartridges.

I also spoke to MANY people who have lasers (and have used inkjets) and also spoke to an extremely knowledgeable guy at Office Max (usually they don't really know what they are talking about...but I got really lucky) and the consensus was that I don't do heavy enough printing to justify the cost of a laser. I avg. 10 shows a month and do a lot of printing (plus print a lot for personal stuff)

I ended up w/ the HP 6500 and I am THRILLED. It was $150, plus I got $50 in Office Max rewards, and got $5 off EACH ink cartridge I bought that day. The ink cartridges are $15-20 each, and if you get the XL cartridges it'll last you thru some large amount in printing (like, 3,000 sheets in one cartridge).

So, for $250 (or $200 when you factor in the $50 Office Max rewards rebate) I got myself loaded w/ a heavy duty printer and lots of ink that will last a long time.
 
If you don't print frequently, and don't care whether you can print in color, then a monochrome laser printer is a great choice! You don't need to worry about ink drying out in the cartridges or on the heads between printing jobs. And while the toner cartridges are more than inkjet cartridges, they last a lot longer. I have an HP that's no longer available, but it's 8 years old and still going strong. I only need 1 cartridge a year, so the $60-80 cost works out to only $5-7 per month. Compare that to the inkjet a clustermate has - she has to get the cartridges changed or refilled every 6 weeks or so, at a total cost of about $40. (And her inkjet won't work if one color is empty, even if she's trying to print using just the black.) I do like Joy does and print flyers in B/W on colored paper. Nobody has ever complained about them. Find online reviews of the models you're looking at. Amazon and buy.com are good places to read reviews. Some printers don't have updated drivers for some operating systems, so look for that (especially if you're using Windows 7, Vista or Mac OS).There's a Brother laser that's fairly regularly available for about $50. DH has found very mixed reviews on that model (sorry, I don't remember which one it is). But you should read the reviews and decide what annoyances are or aren't a big deal to you.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
Thank you all for your input!

I am most definitley a researcher, and that's one of the reasons I haven't taken the plunge yet. I haven't had time to do all the research I want to do. I'm thinking that $50 isn't a huge price to pay to find out if it suits my needs, and if my needs increase in the future, I will have more personal knowledge to determine what I need to upgrade to.
 
I had a brother laser printer for less than a year before it died. I switched to an HP laser and have had it for 3+ years and it is still running good. I have the HP laser jet 1020. i usually buy the HP ink cartridges for it because i feel they last longer than when I was buying the office depot brand ink for it.
 
Can't really comment on laser vs. other, but as far as brand goes, I have no luck at all with Brother, but have great success with my HPs.

HTH!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for in a laser printer?

When considering a laser printer, look for key features such as print speed, print quality, connectivity options (USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet), monthly duty cycle, and whether it supports duplex printing. Additionally, consider the cost of toner cartridges and the printer's overall energy efficiency.

Are laser printers better than inkjet printers?

Laser printers are generally better for high-volume printing due to their speed and lower cost per page. They produce sharp text and are more efficient for black-and-white documents. However, inkjet printers may be preferable for high-quality color prints and photos.

How do I find reliable reviews for laser printers?

To find reliable reviews, check reputable tech websites, consumer review platforms, and forums where users share their experiences. Look for reviews that provide detailed insights on performance, reliability, and customer service, and consider both positive and negative feedback.

What is the average lifespan of a laser printer?

The average lifespan of a laser printer can range from 3 to 7 years, depending on the brand, model, and usage. Regular maintenance and proper care can extend the lifespan, while heavy usage may lead to a shorter lifespan.

Where can I shop for laser printers online?

You can shop for laser printers online at major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, as well as specialized electronics stores. Additionally, consider visiting manufacturer websites for direct purchases and exclusive deals.

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