Help: Looking for a new printer

[dcloud]

The printer I have had for the last three years (Epson Stylus Color 640) bit the big one on me recently. I had not used it for a couple weeks and I couldn't get it to print anything. Then I discovered that the small holes in the printer holder/cartridge were clogged with ink. I had some people tell me it was time to find a new printer.

Well I have been doing some research and I've found that most recommend a laser printer, since the ink won't likely clog in any holes with a laser. I have been keeping an eye on the Brother HL-2040, which seems like a nice printer, but I wasn't sure. Many people recommend I get another Epson or even an HP.

I've also been looking at the Canon IP6210D, although that's an ink jet printer. It fits my budget, but then I don't want to end up with the same problem I had with my old Epson.

So I'm posting here in hopes all you tech gurus can help me narrow down my search. Thanks.

- dc

 

[dcloud]

Oh yeah, I should add that what I mainly want the printer for is home/personal use. Printing resumes, documents off the Web, etc. Nothing fancy. I don't need any network printers or large monsters that do everything.

Although I noticed this Canon MP500 printer the other day on Newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16828102182

I'm still wnating some feedback if I can get it before I decide on anything. Thanks again.

- dc

 

[dcloud]

Ok I just found another printer - the HP Laser Jet 1020. This little printer is in the running for first place so far. It has a small footprint, excellent text quality, and the price is right ($110 at Newegg). The toner cartridges are a bit pricey, but then again I would get more from a cartridge than inks and less chance of it drying up on me.

I checked out some of the reviews a buyer comments on this printer and everyone seems to agree its a good deal for the money.

- dc

 

[dcloud]

Found another one .... Samsung ML-2250:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16828112023

Seem to be two pretty good printers. Any feedback?

- dc

 

[DaveFarquhar]

The cost per page on any laser is going to be lower than an inkjet. The downside (which I'm sure you probably know) is at the price point you're looking, no color.

My sister has an older version of the HP model you're talking about, and she's been happy with it. I have a good friend with the Samsung, and he's happy too. If I were buying, I'd buy whichever has the less-expensive toner cartridges.

Dave Farquhar

http://dfarq.homeip.net

 

[Jomama46]

I just bout an HP 6540. it is fast and sweet. It has a black and a tri color cartridge. The carts are small so they are not expensive (about 25 bucks) and they wont have a chance to dry out. I like the tri color cart as I figure if blue runs out how far behind can yellow and red be.
The paper cartridge is about 250 sheets. Plenty, my old HP was 100 sheets, wore me out putting paper in it.
This one is USB only, the next model up was the same except it had a nic. So check this one out. I got it at Microcenter for , I think $150.

Jomama

 

[dcloud]

Jomama, you are correct. The HP 6540 has been at the top of my list for a few days now (currently I can get it at Newegg for $116.99). Frank, I could not find any ink cartridges for the 6540 on that site. Are those refills, compatibles, or the real thing?

Thank you all for your posts.

- dc

 

[dcloud]

Just wanted to let you guys know I bought a new printer, a Samsung ML-2010. I went with a laser this time, because of the clogged ink problem with my old Epson and the dry air in my apartment. I found it at Best Buy for $80 with a $30 instant rebate. They wanted $35 for the dang USB 2.0 cable and I passed. Radio Shack wanted $25. So I went to Newegg and bought two USB 2.0 cables for $10 (that include shipping).

I had to wait a few days to use the printer until the cables came, but it was worth it. This puppy prints literally in the blink of an eye, and the text and images look great, too. It's just a black and white, but I didn't need a photo printer or anything fancy.

Also with the adjustable toner usage set at 5% I can get 3,000+ pages from one cartridge. True they are a bit pricey ($70 at Newegg), but considering all the other advantages (no dried ink, more printing per cartridge, etc) its well worth it in my book.

 

[DaveFarquhar]

At 3,000 pages for a $70 cartridge, that's still 2.3 cents a page. An inkjet isn't going to beat that. Keep an eye out for a sale and you may be able to knock that cost down. Factory-sealed toner cartridges turn up on eBay from time to time, usually because someone had cartridges and the printer broke, or someone got a bunch cheap at a going out of business sale. Refilled toner cartridges can be a lot cheaper, but there's a thread here elsewhere about how I got burned by one. Don't buy one unless it has a money-back guarantee.

Most stores stock cables at incredibly high prices to help their margins by selling them to people who need them immediately. I once paid $70 for a SCSI cable that sold for $10 via mail order, but the company I was working for needed it that day. You're almost always better off mail ordering cables, as long as you can wait a few days. And if the price is good, buy two, in case you or a friend needs one someday.

Sounds like you did great.

Dave Farquhar

http://dfarq.homeip.net

 

[dcloud]

Thanks, Dave. I checked on the web for prices on that toner cartridge for the ML-2010 and while I'm not a big fan of the "compatible" ones I did find a true toner cartridge for $65.

On another note I visited your web site (Silicon Underground) and it's quite interesting. I signed up for an account there.

 

[dcloud]

Dave I tried signing up for an account on your web site, but it doesn't seem to be working.

 

[nicksims]

dcloud,

re: "because of the clogged ink problem with my old Epson and the dry air in my apartment"

I have an HPcolorlaserjet 4550. I live/work in a pretty dry climate. To combat the aggravating jamming with the laser (more so for card stock and envelopes), I'm using a humidifier. Nothing fancy, just the basic cheap thing from a drugstore. It really did the trick- it added enough humidity to the air to combat the jamming (when it would pull multiple pages due to static electricity).

Nick