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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: BrooklineBiker on August 12, 2016, 04:19:44 PM

Title: Reliable Laser Printer
Post by: BrooklineBiker on August 12, 2016, 04:19:44 PM
Hi all,
My aged HP LaserJet 1160 just died & I'd like to replace it. I'm seeking a replacement that does what the old machine did & does it reliably. I use it for home use & print about 50 black & white pages per week. I occasionally need high-quality print or graphics. My 1160 was very reliable. However the cost of replacement ink cartridges from HP was high. I had terrible luck with the generic cartridges. The last generic I used may have killed the printer. Sigh. The reviews for mechanical reliability of under $200 US replacement models that I have seen on Amazon are distressing. Can anyone recommend a model that will last for years, will run generic ink cartridges without breaking down, doesn't come with built in advertising software like my wife's former Canon (it sent endless messages that we needed to order ink), & might be readily available on Craig's List?
Title: Re: Reliable Laser Printer
Post by: tonysemail on August 12, 2016, 05:23:00 PM
i searched the forums and ended up with a brother laser printer
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/reader-recommendations/cost-effective-printer-recommendations-new-or-used-inkjet-or-laser/

found one on craigslist for around $30
Title: Re: Reliable Laser Printer
Post by: Mother Fussbudget on August 12, 2016, 05:23:46 PM
Why not go with another HP 1160 off CraigsList? 
Have you looked into getting your existing ink cartridges REFILLED? 
Stores like CostCo do a really great job of this at low cost.
Title: Re: Reliable Laser Printer
Post by: BrooklineBiker on August 12, 2016, 07:58:59 PM
Why not go with another HP 1160 off CraigsList? 
Have you looked into getting your existing ink cartridges REFILLED? 
Stores like CostCo do a really great job of this at low cost.
Hi,
I've been watching CraigsList & haven't seen any 1160s come up locally over the last 2 weeks. I'm definitely interested in getting my cartridges refilled on the cheap :) Great tip! Thanks!
Title: Re: Reliable Laser Printer
Post by: Jack on August 12, 2016, 08:46:22 PM
Posting to follow. I have three printers (a Lexmark inkjet and two Brother lasers) and none of them work properly:
Title: Re: Reliable Laser Printer
Post by: Kaikou on August 13, 2016, 10:16:02 AM
http://slickdeals.net/f/8972843-brother-hl-l2380dw-2380dw-wireless-laser-mfc-printer-70-a-pm-or-less-was-100-staples-starts-7-31-also-ehl-l2360dw-70-rfb?src=SiteSearchV2Algo1

Under $100
Title: Re: Reliable Laser Printer
Post by: BrooklineBiker on August 14, 2016, 08:42:59 AM
Posting to follow. I have three printers (a Lexmark inkjet and two Brother lasers) and none of them work properly:
  • The Brother HL-2070N smears toner all over the page (I think that means it needs a new fuser assembly)
  • The Brother MFC-7820N gets a paper jam every single time (the roller that pushes the top piece of paper off the stack is worn smooth and needs to be replaced)
  • The Lexmark Pro901 has varying issues, including IIRC refusing to recognize ink cartridges. I gave up on it long enough ago that the print heads are probably irreversibly clogged.
  • My computer has a driver/print spooler problem with all three such that the computer refuses to acknowledge that they're turned on and ready to print, so I have to uninstall and reinstall the printer every time.
Hi Jack,
I'm sorry to hear of this. This is really discouraging.
Title: Re: Reliable Laser Printer
Post by: BrooklineBiker on August 14, 2016, 08:44:22 AM
http://slickdeals.net/f/8972843-brother-hl-l2380dw-2380dw-wireless-laser-mfc-printer-70-a-pm-or-less-was-100-staples-starts-7-31-also-ehl-l2360dw-70-rfb?src=SiteSearchV2Algo1

Under $100
Hi Kaikou.
I like the price on the printer. However what is you sense of the printer's reliability?
Title: Re: Reliable Laser Printer
Post by: Kaikou on August 16, 2016, 12:56:48 PM
http://slickdeals.net/f/8972843-brother-hl-l2380dw-2380dw-wireless-laser-mfc-printer-70-a-pm-or-less-was-100-staples-starts-7-31-also-ehl-l2360dw-70-rfb?src=SiteSearchV2Algo1

Under $100
Hi Kaikou.
I like the price on the printer. However what is you sense of the printer's reliability?

I have the 23800 and have had no problems with it whatsoever it's been a great printer I only have the toner starter and it currently in its run me over a year-and-a-half just on the starter toner cartridge. Then there is a hack to extend the life of the toner too.

There's also this printer on sale at best buy for $75. I don't have it, but good reviews:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/canon-imageclass-mf212w-wireless-black-and-white-laser-printer-black/1955337.p?id=1219520411954&skuId=1955337
Title: Re: Reliable Laser Printer
Post by: Midwest on August 16, 2016, 01:00:51 PM
I have a brother 2270 (presumably the predecessor to the 2380).  Been a great printer.  Much cheaper to operate than an HP.  Ink off amazon.

I've had my for 6 or 7 years and use it for a business at home.  It's printed 10k+ pages.
Title: Re: Reliable Laser Printer
Post by: bobechs on August 16, 2016, 01:03:09 PM
Got a Samsung mono laser printer (M2830DW) at Staples for $49.99999999.  It was what they had that day, that's how I picked it out.

Prints fine, has network and wifi functions built-in, not picky about paper etc, etc.

Original brand toner holder thing is ninety bux, though.  Aftermarket ones are around thirty.

It's OK...
Title: Re: Reliable Laser Printer
Post by: Kaikou on August 16, 2016, 01:14:42 PM
Here's another one on sale:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MFG57ZK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471374830&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=Brother+DCP-L2540DW&dpPl=1&dpID=416RNS-aIkL&ref=plSrch
Title: Re: Reliable Laser Printer
Post by: Sid Hoffman on August 16, 2016, 01:43:25 PM
From my own family's experiences, Canon & Brother have been the most reliable in the $150 and below class of B&W laser printers.
Title: Re: Reliable Laser Printer
Post by: Spork on August 16, 2016, 01:51:27 PM
Got a Samsung mono laser printer (M2830DW) at Staples for $49.99999999.  It was what they had that day, that's how I picked it out.

Prints fine, has network and wifi functions built-in, not picky about paper etc, etc.

Original brand toner holder thing is ninety bux, though.  Aftermarket ones are around thirty.

It's OK...

I have the same thing to report.  I got mine off of Amazon for about $65 last tax season when my inkjet was paper jamming with every page.  I haven't been through the original toner, but ... it seems fine. 
Title: Re: Reliable Laser Printer
Post by: El Marinero on August 16, 2016, 04:33:46 PM
I'm going to put in another plug for Brother laser printers.  The two i have have been very reliable. 
Title: Re: Reliable Laser Printer
Post by: brokemillennial on August 16, 2016, 07:21:33 PM
I have a Brother HL-2140, and it's worked reliably for something like seven years. (That said, I very rarely print things these days, but it was great when I was in school and printing things every day!)