I need a printer recommendation.....

[Netfried]

Newly installed 15 Workstation Elementary school Win2000Server Network needs a printer for record keeping and minor report printing....My cousin (a network admin for a large township school district) recommended HP 4000 series printer but I think its too much for their needs...Can anyone recommend something under 600.00usd...Thanks

 

[Snickle]

Do you want connected to a Print Server or a built-in Print Server [such as JetDirect]? Will you have a switch with print server in the the network? Will a parallel-port connection be sufficient? For flexibility I'd stay away from USB simply because it may not work on older computers/OS.

Looking at a Global Computer catalog, I see an HP LaserJet LJ1220se that may work for $499 that uses a parallel port connection. Hook it to one computer and share it.

For $50 more is the LJ2200, includes USB.

Both of those have optional network capability.

 

[Netfried]

The workstations are new 2.2 gig Compaqs running XP Pro connected through a router..I can add a print server or connect to LPT1 on any of the workstations or even the server...just don't want to spend a grand on a printer if it's overkill....
G.

 

[edfair]

I would go to e-bay or look at

http://www.processor.com

for used LJIIp or IIIp used and pick up 2 for under $300 each, and have a spare.
Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[MTputerman]

My 2 cents: We have multiple LJ4000/4050/4100s. They are 'bullet proof' printers. We've tried brother and Okidata printers. The brother 1250(i think...about $600) series is working great. Some compatibility with graphics and odd fonts on the brother. The okidata printers work great, but have more problems with them than the others.
Don't go too cheap...nothing more annoying than a slow or unreliable printer. It'll die when you need it the most!

Just FYI...If volume isn't an issue, save you money on the network printing stuff. Sharing and printing to a workstation that is always on works great.

Scott

 

[CitrixEngineer]

I agree - I couldn't recommend eBay for buying a printer - caveat emptor. However, if you can get a refurb II or III series from a company that will give a warranty, they are great, reliable lasers. A 4000 series is probably overkill for a school,

The HP 4000s are very good indeed, in terms of speed, networkability and reliability, but if it's for low-volume reports, then a shared Deskjet could do nicely - and you'd have the plus of colour as an option.

As an example; The HP 5550 is a great printer, if you've got USB 2.0 to take full advantage of it. It can do 17ppm, gives an estimated 3,000 pages per month and has a 100-sheet capacity paper tray.

Maybe consider an all-in-one such as an OfficeJet to give the options of scanning, colour photocopying and faxing at half the price of the LJ4000s. Note that Scanning can only be done locally, and reliability of these things can vary wildly.

Only problem with Inkjets is reliability at high volumes, and frequent replenishment of consumables (low volume paper handling and ink cartridge replacement). Low volume, they're great and last for years. Some staff at one of my sites are still using DJ500s shared between 5 - 10 users. But their budget is very low.

Bottom line - project your printing volume needs and check out the costs of the associated consumables (toner, cartridges) and their lifetime. This should give you a better picture of the actual running cost of the printer.

Hope this helps CitrixEngineer@yahoo.co.uk

 

[drdebit]

One other comment from a user perspective inkjet vs laser- I have a laser jet and an old ink jet in my office. I sometime print reports that I want to mark up for analysis-the inkjet print bleeds under a marker.
Dave H.