B&W only printers

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alan Browne
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A

Alan Browne

Girlfriend's father is about to splurge on a laser jet. We're trying to get him
to chill.

His need is to print statements and records (banking, investments, etc) from web
pages, e-mailed statements.

He is determined not to have color.

So, what represents the best value in the low price range of printers?

--sharp text/lines
--long lasting inks (7 years or more).
--reasonable speed (a few pages per minute)


Thanks,
Alan.
 
Girlfriend's father is about to splurge on a laser jet. We're trying to get him
to chill.

His need is to print statements and records (banking, investments, etc) from web
pages, e-mailed statements.

He is determined not to have color.

So, what represents the best value in the low price range of printers?

--sharp text/lines
--long lasting inks (7 years or more).
--reasonable speed (a few pages per minute)


Thanks,
Alan.
Click to expand...


Look for a rebuilt/refurbed HPIII Laser printer. Bullet Proof. I
have documents printed on my old HPIII from 1990 and they are still
clear & black. I had to scrap it last year after it had produced in
excess of 400,000 printed pages in 13 years.
 
Alan Browne said:
Girlfriend's father is about to splurge on a laser jet. We're trying to
get him to chill.

His need is to print statements and records (banking, investments, etc)
from web pages, e-mailed statements.

He is determined not to have color.

So, what represents the best value in the low price range of printers?

--sharp text/lines
--long lasting inks (7 years or more).
--reasonable speed (a few pages per minute)


Thanks,
Alan.
Click to expand...

What is YOUR problem? An Ink-jet? If he's not printing photos, laser printer
is the perfect choice. If you can shell out $250 more, you could even get
color laser printers. Of course, it's not photo quality but nevertheless,
professional looking text and no worry of smudge (rain, sweaty hands, etc.)
are my reason for having a (color) laser printer.
 
leo said:
What is YOUR problem? An Ink-jet? If he's not printing photos, laser printer
is the perfect choice. If you can shell out $250 more, you could even get
color laser printers. Of course, it's not photo quality but nevertheless,
professional looking text and no worry of smudge (rain, sweaty hands, etc.)
are my reason for having a (color) laser printer.
Click to expand...


And what are the costs of colour toner? Compared with B&W?


--
regards,

|\ /|
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\../
\/os

mccm dot vos at hccnet dot nl
URL http://home.hccnet.nl/mccm.vos/

ICQ 326628
 
leo said:
What is YOUR problem?
Click to expand...

What is your problem that you have to use all caps?
An Ink-jet? If he's not printing photos, laser printer
is the perfect choice. If you can shell out $250 more, you could even get
Click to expand...

The problem with laser printers is initial cost. The cost per text
page is arguably lower for laser, but the intitial outlay is much
higher. Given the number of pages per month he is printing, it would
take a long time to recover the difference by using the laser printer.
An HP or Canon ink-jet/bubble can be had for under $100 (CDN) and
comes with a B&W cart (color too, but he won't use that). Additional
carts are about CAD $20 - $30 ... at his rate of use it would take him
over a year per cart.

Laser printers here begin at about $300 (CDN). Carts, over $100. The
cost per page is lower, but he won't recover the difference for well
over 10 years at his rate of usage.
color laser printers. Of course, it's not photo quality but nevertheless,
Click to expand...

I think I made it clear that he is interested in B&W only.
professional looking text and no worry of smudge (rain, sweaty hands, etc.)
are my reason for having a (color) laser printer.
Click to expand...

I have ink jet for color photography and I've never had a smudge after
drying. Perhaps because I'm careful, but so it is the case with all
my photography prints, negatives and slides.

Alan.
 
Look for a rebuilt/refurbed HPIII Laser printer. Bullet Proof. I
have documents printed on my old HPIII from 1990 and they are still
clear & black. I had to scrap it last year after it had produced in
excess of 400,000 printed pages in 13 years.
Click to expand...

The III is only 300 dpi. It will do, but you can get a rebuilt 4M+ for
about the same. The 4M+ is 12 pages per minute, has genuine Adobe
PostScript, and can take an optional duplexer. The 4+ is the same
thing without the PostScript SIMM. Toner carts for the 4 series are
dirt cheap. I got four remanufactured ones for a friend in an eBay
auction for $10 each including shipping, each good for about 5,000
pages. All the 4 series are 600 dpi with HP's resolution enhancement
technology.

You could also look at a 4 or 4M instead of the 4+ and 4M+. They are
essentially the same, but the + series is 12 ppm and the 4 series is
only 8 ppm, and the 4 series can't take a duplexer.

Either the 4(M) or 4(M)+ is indestructible. My friend's 4M+ has over a
million copies on it. You just need to get a maintenance kit every
couple hundred thousand copies. Otherwise, keep it full of toner and
paper and it will run forever.

Look for refurbished ones on eBay. HP sold zillions of these units, so
they will be around for a long time.
 
Alan Browne said:
Girlfriend's father is about to splurge on a laser jet. We're trying to get him
to chill.

His need is to print statements and records (banking, investments, etc) from web
pages, e-mailed statements.
Click to expand...

Amazed his investments never go into the red. Please let me know how he does
it asap :-)
 
Most color inkjet printers will end up draining there color cartridges
during cleaning cycles, even if they are not used for printing, and many
will not print once the color cartridges are empty.

I also live in Canada, and laser printer prices have dropped quite a
bit. I see lower end light-duty models on sale for about $175 (600 dpi).

If he goes for one, do ask about how many prints (at 5% coverage
usually) the printer will output with the first cartridge.

Some companies provide partially filled "starter cartridges" with the
printer at purchase.

Art
 
Arthur said:
Most color inkjet printers will end up draining there color cartridges
during cleaning cycles, even if they are not used for printing, and many
will not print once the color cartridges are empty.
Click to expand...

My printer will print B&W when the color cart is empty or removed, no prob.
Usually have to be sure that B&W only is selected in the printer setup for the
particular job.
I also live in Canada, and laser printer prices have dropped quite a
bit. I see lower end light-duty models on sale for about $175 (600 dpi).
Click to expand...

Lowest I've seen is $300 (not that I've looked very hard).
If he goes for one, do ask about how many prints (at 5% coverage
usually) the printer will output with the first cartridge.
Click to expand...

Aware of this, thanks.
Some companies provide partially filled "starter cartridges" with the
printer at purchase.
Click to expand...

Thanks, good point.
 
Barry/Marek: Thanks.

Marek said:
The III is only 300 dpi. It will do, but you can get a rebuilt 4M+ for
about the same. The 4M+ is 12 pages per minute, has genuine Adobe
Click to expand...
<snipped>
 
Alan Browne said:
My printer will print B&W when the color cart is empty or removed, no prob.
Usually have to be sure that B&W only is selected in the printer setup for
the particular job.
Click to expand...

DeskJet's since the DeskJet 5550 will allow printing with only a black (or a
color, or both) cartridge installed.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, not speaking for my employer HP
 
Alan said:
Lowest I've seen is $300 (not that I've looked very hard).
Click to expand...

You need to look a bit harder ;-). Just this week a computer chain is
offering a 600 dpi Lexmark (also sold under the Samsung label, with more
memory as I recall) for $199, and they throw in a 128 meg USB jump drive
for 99 cents. Prices are coming down on laser printers, and like most
others they get you on the consumables (in this case toner cartridges) now.

Art
 
You need to look a bit harder ;-). Just this week a computer chain is
offering a 600 dpi Lexmark (also sold under the Samsung label, with more
memory as I recall) for $199, and they throw in a 128 meg USB jump drive
for 99 cents. Prices are coming down on laser printers, and like most
others they get you on the consumables (in this case toner cartridges) now.
Click to expand...
That has one big disadvantage - it's made by Lexmark.
 
Hecate said:
That has one big disadvantage - it's made by Lexmark.
Click to expand...

My Lexmark E210 is MADE by Samsung (the ML 1210 was still on their web
page) not the other way round. The problem is that you have to buy a
LEXMARK replacement cartridge, but they are still sold in at least one
Michigan Office Depot store. Supplies for rebranded pritners can be iffy.

Lexmark has a reputation for selling overpriced ink/toner and I'd agree
with that. I bought a SAMSUNG ML 1740 instead of another E210 cartridge,
but I don't want to give the impression that I'd displeased with the
E210/ML1210 for basic text and graphics. The E210 will remain in use with
another computer and works fine. If you want superior monchrome grahics
you will hve to pay more, but for e-mail it's a great buy, so if you arfe
looking at a Samsung ML 1740/1750, I think you'd be happy with
the after-rebate price. (I paid $85 US.)

Brendan
--
 
Alan Browne said:
What is your problem that you have to use all caps?


The problem with laser printers is initial cost. The cost per text
page is arguably lower for laser, but the intitial outlay is much
higher. Given the number of pages per month he is printing, it would
take a long time to recover the difference by using the laser printer.
An HP or Canon ink-jet/bubble can be had for under $100 (CDN) and
comes with a B&W cart (color too, but he won't use that). Additional
carts are about CAD $20 - $30 ... at his rate of use it would take him
over a year per cart.

Laser printers here begin at about $300 (CDN). Carts, over $100. The
cost per page is lower, but he won't recover the difference for well
over 10 years at his rate of usage.


I think I made it clear that he is interested in B&W only.


I have ink jet for color photography and I've never had a smudge after
drying. Perhaps because I'm careful, but so it is the case with all
my photography prints, negatives and slides.

Alan.
Click to expand...

I mean printing envelopes, etc. in plain paper - not using coated paper. Low
end lasers aren't ready for photographs anyhow. For his purpose, nothing can
beat b/w laser in terms of long-term cost and maintenance.
 
Actually, it's probably made by Samsung, but it probably is also left
with Lexmark drivers, which might be just as bad ;-) However, the
Samsung version is also available, often for less.

Art
 
([email protected]) said:
Are all Samsung printers made by Lexmark?
Click to expand...

The problem with those who were scared by a Lexmark as a small child is
that they see all things through phobic glasses.

Lexmark bought Samsung units and put their name on them, just as Dell buys
Lexmark inkjets and puts a Dell nameplate on them. In neither case are
the results a scourge on the face of the earth, despite what dedicated
Lexmark nay-sayers would have you believe.

Each brand, including Lexmark, has strong and weak points. I happen to be
a happy Lexmark inkjet customer, having bought a new one each time I
upgraded to a new computer. "me" got bit by one way back when and hasn't
gotten over it. One of the reasons I've stuck with Lexmark is that there
are relatively few complaints in this news group, unlike Epson, which has
fanatically devoted customers despite chronic and deadly head-clogging
problems. Those are inkjets, of course, so you can't carry experiences
over to lasers, in which Lexmark specializes. Apparently not having a
low-end laser they re-branded a Samsung ML 1210 that has provided sterling
light-duty service for me. So I've moved onto the Samsung ML 1740, with
which I hope I will have similar good things to say. This is a roundabout
way of saying ignore the naysayers and judge for yourself. You can spend
a little or a lot on a laser, depending you your needs, and shouldn't
write off this or that "brand" until you've looked for things, good and
bad, said about it.

Brendan

--
 
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