Cheap color laser printers (Dell 3000n or HP 2600n)

[Choy]

I'm on the lookout for a good laser printer, preferably with color. The ones I found that had received good reviews were Dell's 3000/3100 and HP's 2600n. Anyone with any experience from them and those brands in general when it comes to laser printers? Other suggestions?

I'll printing approx 1-2000ppy and mostly bw text with a little color graphics (logos and such). Small photos, too, if possible. For quality photos I have proper inkjet.

The last 5 years I've been using a HP Laserjet 5 with any problems, so my experience of them is very positive. But a lot can change in that time.

 

[shortylickens]

My humble opinion:

HP's still rock on the laser side of printing. Color or Black.

Dont ever get any Dell peripherals.

 

[GeekDrew]

HP is still awesome for laser printing. Konica Minolta isn't too bad, either.

Do not ever even think of purchasing a Dell printer.

 

[Chucko]

I have the 2600n, and its a nice little personal color laser. The networking is also a nice added bonus. Its pretty quick, and most importantly the warmup time is very quick. It's also not very loud, if I remeber right the some people say the Dell is kinda loud. Tom's hardware just did a quick review of small personal laser printers. The HP also comes with FULL toner cartridges, which most other entry level color laser come with starter catridges.

Hope this helps,

Chucko

 

[Choy]

Guess I'm ruling out the Dell. Although I have a good experience with their tfts at least.

So which HP should I go for? The 2550L or 2600n? What are the diffs apart from tray size and networking? Or should I perhaps get the KonicaMinolta?

 

[GeekDrew]

I honestly don't know what the differences between the 2550L and 2600n are... but if it's HP laser, chances are it's good quality. Konica Minolta is good too... but I prefer HP most of the time.

 

[Choy]

After looking at the linux support, hp is now not in the running, since they don't have any good model at a reasonable price with linux support. Now it stands between a more expensive KonicaMinolta 2430DL or a Dell 3000. And according to most reviews the KM has a worthless build quality and not even half filled starting toners.

 

[wseyller]

The 2550 & the 2600 are very different.

The 2550 uses a separate drum unit and the toner cartridges rotate on a carousel. The toner must be applied to the drum one color at a time making the speed of color printing slower 4ppm color and 19ppm black I believe for the 2500 printer.

With the 2600 each cartridge is an all-in-one cartridge meaning it has the toner, developing roller, drum, charge roller all in one unit. Also this printer has 4 separate laser scanner assemblies to discharge each drum in all of the cartridges at the same time. What all this allows is that the printer will not have to wait as long for toner to be developed and applied to the imaging drum for each cartridge before it can send the paper through. Each color toner will be applied to it's own drum simultaneously and the paper can immediately be sent through and it will collect the toner from each drum in a specific order. This practice will make the color and black printer speed the same, but it is 8ppm for black & color respectively. Also this eliminates the need for a carousel which makes the 2550 more likely to break or for the carousel to jam up. Also a nice advantage for the 2600 is that is comes standard will RJ-45 ethernet port for networking.

 

[justlnluck]

If you're looking for a decent color laser for a budget price, don't rule out the Samsung CLP-510N. I've read quite a few good reviews about it. The prices for the toner are pretty decent if you shop around and it even comes with a duplexer.

http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_shop...9:-43881:-44029:-44034:929645&fid=1S10

Here is a link to some reviews:
http://www.neoseeker.com/Hardware/Products/samsung_clp510n/

 

[HDTVMan]

$250 after rebate.
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4393625?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Samsung CLP-510 Color Laser Printer
$100.00 Rebate

 

[wseyller]

I think the samsung would be a great choice. I figured the cost per page to be better than the HP.

(Office depot with OEM cartridges used for reference)

HP 2600:
BLACK - 2.9 cents per page
COLOR - 3.3 cents per page


Samsung CLP-510
BLACK - 1.3 cents per page
COLOR - 2.3 cents per page

 

[Choy]

I've heard really bad things about the HP 2550 breaking down regularly, while the 2600 seems to work better. But the lack of Linux support takes it out of the running.

As for the Samsung, the print quality is simply unacceptable. And the price here is Sweden is close to $400, matching that of HP 2600 and KM 2300.

It's too bad that linux support is so awful for printers. I had thought that the increased interest for linux had made that mandatory.

 

[KingCheeba]

It's a no brainer!

I bought one and I think it would make your decision easier

hp 2600n

 

[Choy]

Since there is no Linux support, the HP 2600 is completely ruled out. I had decided on it, when I discovered that problem. So, another lost sale for HP because of that.

 

[justlnluck]

Yes, I don't know quite what to think about Samsung's print quality. Some have said it's good quality, others have commented that it is terrible. The samples that I saw actually looked quite good. But I wasn't able to print out my own. Samsung seems to update their product line every January. Maybe the successor will improve upon its print resolution?