Printers anyone?

[thebluebumblebee]

I'm in need of a new printer. My OfficeJet Pro 8500 is wasting more ink than it uses, and is not printing colors correctly.(I'm done with troubleshooting it) I have 3 students in the house so I need something (reliable) that gives fairly good color output. I like the features of the printer I have. Today, I ran across a CL listing for a HP LaserJet Pro 400 color M451dw. Here's what I know about them. They're not very fast, but that's only a big deal if you've waited until the last minute. PC World listed their cost per page as fairly high, but I would rank reliability above cost. Their graphic quality is quite good. No one seems to be complaining about their paper handling. It's rated for higher usage than we'll ever get close to. Will that be a problem? I have a small Brother B/W laser in the house for just text uses.

Basically, is there any reason not to get this printer? Is this to much like using a sledge hammer to drive a tack?

 

[eidairaman1]

Durability and reliability are paramount. If you were doing Professional Photos there are different printers, but you are using it for students so go for it.

 

[Dethroy]

It's rated for higher usage than we'll ever get close to. Will that be a problem?

If it was an Inkjet, then yes it would be a problem. Since this is a laser, it'll simply enjoy a prolonged life.

Basically, is there any reason not to get this printer? Is this to much like using a sledge hammer to drive a tack?

As long as cost doesn't bother you (it doesn't seem this way), then there's nothing noteworthy that would speak against it.

 

[silentbogo]

Basically, is there any reason not to get this printer? Is this to much like using a sledge hammer to drive a tack?

It depends on the price. For a mediocre laser color printer with 600x600ppi resolution and 20ppm speed, it's kind of not very appealing at it's original price...

If you can get one for $200 or less - then yes. Preferably not used or refurbished (at least with very-very low mileage).

Otherwise I would probably settle for cheaper Brother with similar specs.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828113833&ignorebbr=1

Also supports duplex printing, a little slower on PPMs, not good looking, but just as functional.
One of my favorite things about Brother printers is that they are very easy to maintain. Even service manuals are much easier to find on the net.

P.S. I've never owned a color laser printer, so if you can discretely ignore my recommendation. But I do have 4 monochrome AIO's in my possession(2x7010R, 2x7025R).

 

[FR@NK]

The touch screen on my officejet pro 8500 stopped working which then made the whole printer stuck on "Yellow ink is low" screen and wouldnt print. Replaced it last week with a color laser, Xerox Phaser 6022 which cost $150 from amazon.

 

[eidairaman1]

It depends on the price. For a mediocre laser color printer with 600x600ppi resolution and 20ppm speed, it's kind of not very appealing at it's original price...

If you can get one for $200 or less - then yes. Preferably not used or refurbished (at least with very-very low mileage).

Otherwise I would probably settle for cheaper Brother with similar specs.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828113833&ignorebbr=1

Also supports duplex printing, a little slower on PPMs, not good looking, but just as functional.
One of my favorite things about Brother printers is that they are very easy to maintain. Even service manuals are much easier to find on the net.

P.S. I've never owned a color laser printer, so if you can discretely ignore my recommendation. But I do have 4 monochrome AIO's in my possession(2x7010R, 2x7025R).

I had to hack the cw 459 model print cartridges to get all of the ink out.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/sys/5922209090.html
There are 2 of them available, from a church. One has a page count of 6068 and the other 4064! The recommended monthly page volume is 750-4,000 PPM. They come with extra toner, so I think I'd be set for several years. Basically, it sounds like the price covers the cost of the toner and the printer is included ~free.
HP used to be the way to go, but it seems like Brother has come a long way. I really like my HL-1240 that I got for $20 at a local auction house. When I had problems getting the driver to work, their support staff knew exactly what to do to fix it.

 

[silentbogo]

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/sys/5922209090.html
There are 2 of them available, from a church. One has a page count of 6068 and the other 4064! The recommended monthly page volume is 750-4,000 PPM. They come with extra toner, so I think I'd be set for several years. Basically, it sounds like the price covers the cost of the toner and the printer is included ~free.
HP used to be the way to go, but it seems like Brother has come a long way. I really like my HL-1240 that I got for $20 at a local auction house. When I had problems getting the driver to work, their support staff knew exactly what to do to fix it.

That ain't bad at all. Extra toner makes this deal even yummier!

 

[thebluebumblebee]

I feel like my needs are for a Honda Ridgeline, and this is a F250 Super Duty. But the Super Duty comes with 2 years of fuel.