HP Laser 1015 questions...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lee John Moore
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Lee John Moore

I'm just consdering buying this model (HPL 1015) as my first laser
printer. Quite impressed at 2,000 pages per cartridge but (q1) is that in
an economical or normal printing mode? Also, I just downloaded the manual
and it says the cartridges only have a lifespan of six months; (q2) is
that really true? This printer also claims to be 'network ready' with an
ethernet port. (q3) What does this mean? (q4) Does it still need
plugging into a computer (with drivers) or (q5) can it be plugged into
standalone on the LAN (with DHCP server) allowing any client PC to print
with it?

I've asked so many questions in a single short paragraph that I've just
emphasised them with (qx) in brackets. :)
 
Page count is always quoted at 5 percent coverage. That's about a short
one-page business letter with two or three paragraphs. I find 10 percent is
a much better estimate. So you should expect 1000 pages out of the
cartridge.

Network-ready means you can plug this printer into an external print server
device like an HP JetDirect, and then attach that to the LAN, allowing
others to print directly to the printer without going through a PC or
server.

If you don't need to share the printer, the 1012 may be adequate. It's a
host-based printer without PCL5e built-in.
 
Page count is always quoted at 5 percent coverage. That's about a short
one-page business letter with two or three paragraphs. I find 10 percent is
a much better estimate. So you should expect 1000 pages out of the
cartridge.
Click to expand...

Thanks for elaborating on the network readiness (too expensive for me to
follow through it seems) and your suggestion of the 1012 instead. Thing
is: £50 cartridge price for 1000 pages isn't much better value than an
Inkjet cartridge (around £20 for 400-500 pages). I was under the
impression that lasers were more economical. Or do you have to pay more
for more economical models? I'm sure I've seen figures of 8,000-9,000
pages for £40 cartridges for other (non HP) models...but that was when I
was browsing a week ago. Time to have another look I think.

Six month life of cartridges (once opened) also bothers me a lot (from a
home use POV).
 
There are numerous factors involved in an inkjet versus laser selection.
But the most important one in my opinion is quality. Lasers produce the
sharpest text quality at the fastest speeds, and is almost a necessity for
any business use. If you don't care about appearance and just want draft
printing, then an inkjet may be the most economical choice, especially if
you use refills. Of course some laser toner cartridges can be refilled as
well.
 
Thanks for elaborating on the network readiness (too expensive for me to
follow through it seems) and your suggestion of the 1012 instead. Thing
is: £50 cartridge price for 1000 pages isn't much better value than an
Inkjet cartridge (around £20 for 400-500 pages). I was under the
impression that lasers were more economical. Or do you have to pay more
for more economical models?
Click to expand...

That's it. Now you've put your finger on it. The manufacturers want
the revenue one way or the other. The rule to remember is that the
cheaper the printer the more expensive the consumables.

If you want cheaper toner and per-page costs, then you have to pay big
money for the printer. My cost per page is under a quarter of a cent
(US), but my printer was $5,000 new. (You can buy it used today for a
tenth of that figure, though.)

There are some other options to consider. If you are willing to settle
for black and white only, get a used Laserjet 4+ or 4M+. These
printers run forever. Cartridges give about 5,000 copies at 5%
coverage, and you can get remanufactured ones on eBay for $15 or less.
This will give you a cost per copy close to mine, and the printer can
be had for $100 or less.
 
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