Is a $275 laser printer justified for light use?

[Craig234]

I'm thinking of getting a new printer, and I'm leaning laser because I've had a string of inkjet printers all have problems, from paper feeding jams to generic electronic errors that 'can't be practically fixed'.

I'm leaning color because it seems 'nice to have' occasionally.

Now, it seems some printers fit the above - personal color laser printers - from about at cheap as $100 to the $150 range.

But then I see a well-reviewed printer like "Canon imageCLASS MF726CDW All-in-One Wireless Color Laser Printer" for $275.

I'm sure it's better, but I'm trying to determine if it has anything I need to justify it. About all I think of that even might do it are reliability, and print quality.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I don't see why not. The toner carts will be the next cost. The toners that come with the printer are not usually full.

 

[giantpandaman2]

It'll never pay for itself with light use. So you just have to say how much the convenience and reliability is worth it to you. Is it worth the extra $150 you're paying or so?

I have a B&W Laser that prints fast and does duplex printing. Cheap, reliable, and speedy. When I print color I just go to Costco or Kinko's (inconvenient and expensive). Overall, though, it's the best for me since I don't need to print color very often and I can't match the quality of an industrial printer with a home one.

 

[master_shake_]

no

unless it can scan fax copy make dinner and warm you up at night.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Well... you're getting a lot more than just a printer. That thing's a sheet-feed scanner as well, and prints in color, not B&W.

I have an MFP and a color laser. I scan probably a couple hundred pages a year, and when I print invoices and receipts for eBay customers (I have a little side business) I like seeing the logos in color. (Makes it look more professional, IMO). So overall I'd consider it money well spent.

But I've gone through a single set of toner cartridges in 3 years. So the additional per page cost isn't super-important. A $150 duplexing B&W laser is probably a better deal, if you're printing a lot of text every day.

But in any case, it's contingent on you having the money to spend, and nothing better to spend it on.

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

That thing is a behemoth, and probably has way more junk than you need.

I've been a fan of HP laser printers for years. Besides a few little bugs (like printing in color when I select black and white) I've been served extremely well and reliably.

I used to have a CP1525NW, which was a bit slow but had excellent print quality.

When I had a need for duplex printing, I sold it and upgraded to an M452dw. I would never buy anything but a laser at this point due to speed and reliability being so extremely good.

You might consider the M452 line from HP. It has a basic wireless color version, a wired duplex version, and a wireless duplex with color touchscreen ranging from $150-300. They are all the same printer underneath and I can vouch for excellent print quality and speed.

The toner looks ungodly expensive but it's actually cheaper to operate per page than a lot of other printers if you splurge for the high-yield X series cartridges and wait for sales/coupons/rebates.

Edit: The color printing bug is with Google Chrome, not the printer or driver.

 

[lupi]

Got an HP color laser office jet mfp a couple years ago during a spring sale. Other than not having a feeder I love it. Does great color prints and scans, and you can get enough ink discount coupons to help offset the cost for how much you use it. Just got around to changing all the initial color cartridges and on 2nd black.

 

[ElFenix]

if i'm getting a printer that big i want a 500 sheet tray. having half a ream laying around is annoying.

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

if i'm getting a printer that big i want a 500 sheet tray. having half a ream laying around is annoying.

They make just such an accessory for the M452 printer series. It's kind of obscenely expensive, almost as much as some of the printers in the series.

 

[ElFenix]

They make just such an accessory for the M452 printer series. It's kind of obscenely expensive, almost as much as some of the printers in the series.

Exactly. So annoying.

 

[LFaWolf]

Have you checked out any Brother MFC? I have a Brother B&W MFC and a color laser and I just love how easy to use the software is.

 

[Torn Mind]

Ink dries up from lack of use and costs an arm and a leg for a few ml. Buy a $25 ink cartridge ten times and you are at $250 already. That's the catch about inkjet printer. If you don't print something out at least once a week, you're toast 3-4 months later with a cartridge that has clogged nozzles.

 

[LFaWolf]

Ink dries up from lack of use and costs an arm and a leg for a few ml. Buy a $25 ink cartridge ten times and you are at $250 already. That's the catch about inkjet printer. If you don't print something out at least once a week, you're toast 3-4 months later with a cartridge that has clogged nozzles.

I agree, which is why I will never go inkjet again. High end inkjet still has its use for publishing, but for low usage, laser is the way to go.

 

[lefenzy]

Hopefully with an all-in-one like that, all your needs are fulfilled.

I guess if I were to get a printer, I'd want one with all the features:

1. laser
2. color
3. duplexing
4. scanning
5. fax

That canon looks nice. It is more of an office printer though.

These days I rely on the office printer for all my needs.