Solid Ink vs Laser 1

[TotalDesignZ]

Guys, I was looking for some advice on printers and found this forum.

I was recently recommended a solid ink printer and although I've heard of them, I've never looked into them so I did after getting the recommendation. HOWEVER, I've done a LITTLE bit of reading and wound up reading these pages.
Link

As you can see, one of them has a lot of negative stuff to say about the solid ink... (Link)

Now, I know real world info is usually better so I'm asking here. I don't print much so it'll be powered down most of the time and the power consumption is not an issue for me. The sticking together part of it's not dry might be an issue and the ink easily coming off is another but I'm thinking the person that wrote that second article may not know as much.

I like my Samsung laser but having problems with it pulling in sheets of labels and then of course, them getting stuck.
The biggest problem is samsungs HORRIBLE tech support.

I would also love to find someone here that has maybe both types of printers that could print out some samples for me (no, I dont' mind paying) with my files and preferably undoctored as I doubt I'll do much color profiling.

I LOVE the idea of it being more environmentally friendly and I've always hated the waste of the containers from ink and toner.

Please address clogging issues and negative stuff too as that's important.

I found a xerox machine I liked till I discovered it wasn't solid ink and I thought, hey, I'll get a multi function machine and I can get rid of my other stuff but apparently that wasn't available, oh well.

Xerox sells this machine for 599 right now

http://www.direct.xerox.com/.../shop/office-equipment/printers/colorqube-8570

and I've found it online for 440 new. Of course, Xerox wants me to buy from them but they WILL warrant it regardless of where it's from AND they will sell extended warranty for it for as long as you want. VERY expensive though but IF they follow through (UNLIKE samsung) it might be worth it considering it's onsite.

The person recommending the solid ink suggested square trade. Any experience with them and high end printers?

By the way, I know this is just ONE review but since I can't understand half of the stuff in the text, I thought I'd post it for comments.

Link

Now, here's a link to what I've been through with Samsung and today it has been 12 days since the printer took a dive and
I still don't have it fixed. Had they replaced it, I would have been up and running but they refused to. They've stalled
all the way and have done nothing but complicate and delay things.
Link

The tech was here today and told me it had a problem pulling the glossy labels I had tried to print
and suggested a straight paper path.
Well, I always insisted on this when buying ink jets because I used to print business cards
but never thought of it when I bought the samsung because I dont' do cards any longer.

I don't know if there is a solid ink printer with straight paper path but that would be a big plus.
HOwever, I am curious about solid ink regardless so I would still like your input about the differences.

Let me also say that I chatted with a xerox rep online and it was an awesome experience while HP's people
totally suck. NO knowledge at all, dont' read the questions and do nothing but keep apologizing instead
of concentrating on getting your questions answered. Now, if xerox's tech support is the same and it
does what I want, I WANT ONE OF THEM! Nuff said.

I see that the qube 8570 can print on thick media from all paths but labels are different as they tend
to come off when going around drums and rollers n' such.

Thanks for any advice

George

 

[rclarke250]

Let's see if I can answer some of the questions, I don't own both. I repair both. I own a Xerox Phaser but it's color laser. My biggest complaint with the solid ink, is time. You can't move that machine for over 30 minutes after doing a shutdown, or you get an ink spill, and unlike toner, that you can vacuum up, no dice with the ink. You say you won't be doing a lot of color printing, then go with the laser printer. 12-15 years ago, I saw a lot more clogged nozzles requiring the print head replacement then today, in fact in the last 3 years, I've only had to replace 1 head for 3 nozzles that were clogged so bad that I couldn't get them clean with a cleaning cycle. Price per page printed is higher on solid ink, but it looks really good. After all it's melted crayons. They have come a long way in solid ink printing, the pages don't stick together, although you mention labels and that I don't recommend printing in a solid ink. There is more maintenance involved with a solid ink, you must keep a very good eye on the waste tray. The big issue I see today, is people try to move the printer while it's still hot. Either to load ink or paper, that results in an ink spill, that is not covered under warranty, those that call it in can save the printer, those that don't, are buying a new printer, because no matter how you clean it, you never get all of the spill out, and it causes binding and then it breaks the clutch or motor posts, the cost of repair exceeds the cost of the printer. Thankfully Gap employes young people that can't learn, and I replace 3-4 every year as billable service. They have started sending mounting kits, that literally bolts the printer in place so they can't move it.

 

[TotalDesignZ]

Thanks. Just the kind of info I was looking for.

I don't plan on taking it for walks regularly so that's about the ONLY issue I won't have
with the machine.

The other issues however are NOT something I want to deal with and this kinda settles it.

Funny with the mounting kits

Thanks

George

 

[jimbopalmer]

I have and love my solid ink printer.

Do not turn them on and off frequently.
Do not move them frequently
Do not leave the paper somewhere it gets over 120 degrees

But if you printer stays in place and turned on, it is a very nice printer.

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[TotalDesignZ]

palmer, how about printing the clear, glossy, adhesive labels in it and what does the paper path look like (which model do you have)?

I don't plan on moving anything or turning it on or off.

What's this thing about the paper? Does it not sit in a magazine in the printer
or do you put paper in it everytime you print?

Thanks

 

[jimbopalmer]

I print mailing labels in the bypass tray just fine. (it's paper path is simpler) I use a Phaser 8550, the ancestor to the ColorCube 8570.

http://www.office.xerox.com/printers/color-printers/colorqube-8570/enus.html

You are printing with melted crayons, if the temp goes over 120 (as in a laminator) you have melted crayons again.

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[TotalDesignZ]

Yeah, I looked at the cube.

I got the temp thing now. You meant leaving the print outs where it's hot. Gotcha