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I need a cheap printer!

Schwan

Senior member
I just started school and realized that I need a printer on my system for papers and such. I dont need anything special. Does anybody have any recomendations for a good really cheap printer?

 
Lexmark is king of cheap. They are decent printers too, but people say that they jam more often and the cartridges don't last as long as most other brands. I had one but I sold it to a friend after a few months. It was decent. With the lower end models if you can catch a sale it is literally cheaper to buy a new printer rather than replace the cartridge on it. There are some nice Epsons that can be had for not much money if you catch a hot deal as well.
 
HP printers aren't the cheapest of the bunch, but I wouldn't say they are expensive. I've always gone HP, and been very happy with what I've got.
 
Go for a laser. Most inkjets put out sloppy output, even for school, and the ink often runs down the page if you get caught in the rain. Check the hot deals forum for deals on lasers. There is a cheapie minolta laser at Costco for $100, and there WAS an 18ppm 1200x1200dpi workgroup quality Minolta laser (you know, the $600-$1000 kind) with a 5000 page STARTER toner cartridge for $200 at tigerdirect. The brother HL-1440 for around $200 shipped is also a deal, and can be found on the hot deals forum. I have seen that brother as low as $150 shipped with coupons and a pricematch.

As for whether to get an HP, if you can afford it (or find a real deal on one like I did - anyone remember ValueAmerica and the cookware and teapots for free ValueDollars?) go for the HP. If not, there are cheaper decent alternatives such as the brother.

Nack
 
I had an Okipage and loved it. Pricewatch.com has them for $135. They also have a lexmark laser for $99. 8ppm epson inkjets are starting at $43. It's all up to your definition of cheap and your needs in a printer. Some injects use wax based inks and will not run in the rain, others use soy based inks and may very well run in the rain, but I have seen some decent lexmark injets that were laser quality in black and white.
 
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