Looking for a new printer

[twitchee2]

Well I'm going to be going away for college soon, 7 months, so Im starting to think about the stuff I need to take. I'm going to be taking my desktop first then if I need a laptop Ill get a laptop. But my currently I have a office jet G85 printer and the thing is a beast and its slow. I need something compact for my dorm, something that is nice, fairly fast and so on. I honestly don't know anything about printers right now. Should get a all in one? laser? I'm not too sure. Any input would be appreciated.

PS any other suggestions on what to take with me are always welcome. I'm going to work for a couple of hours then I'm going to take some time and research a little bit.

Thanks

 

[sjandrewbsme]

I guess it depends on your major and the labs in your school. I was an ME major so lots of the stuff I printed was color and on larger sized paper (graphs, models, drawings etc) - I printed them @ work or in the labs. If you're a liberal arts major with lots of text printing, I would suggest a good laser. I just picked up a brother laser printer (at work) and couldn't be happier - cheaper in the long run than inkjet, doesn't smudge (good for proofing with a highlighter), and prints 5X faster than any inkjet.

This one here is $90 after MIR.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16828113160

 

[moosey]

I agree with the above. If you don't need color, I'd go with a nice compact laser printer. Something along the lines of an HP laserjet 1020 or something like that.

 

[twitchee2]

Well thats something I need to think about. Im doing a mechatronic engineering major (mix of CS, electrical, and machanical) so I really don't know how much of whats being printed will be charts and what not.

 

[herbiehancock]

I'd still invest in an inexpensive laser printer......you're going to be doing much more than printing out charts and graphs. You'll have LOTS of papers to print out and unless you just love buying inkjet carts. over and over, no matter how cheap the refilled ones are, the laser will end up saving you a lot of money in the long run.

If you find out that you absolutely need color, you can always find a decent inkjet on sale somewhere on pretty short notice.....heck, even the cheapie Canons or HPs are not bad in their output these days.

Laser first, color later...........if you can afford it.

 

[Nocturnal]

Can't go wrong with a rather inexpensive laser printer. The entry level models from Samsung, Brother and HP are great.

 

[twitchee2]

Ok I will narrow my search a little to mainly laser but keep my eyes open for cheap color ones. I think thats the best way to go at this time. If anyone has any other suggestions on what I should consider taking with me, that would be greatly appreciated as well.

 

[twitchee2]

Ok another question on something I that might be good thing to get. What about a larger monitor. a widescreen perhaps. I currently have a samsung 712n, works great small but gets the job done. Would it be a benefit to get a widesceen or larger monitor for writing papers. anyone have experience or a preference? thanks.

 

[Lemon law]

To twitchee2,

Sadly the inexpensive prosumer color lasers will not save much money over an inkjet when printing color--and does not offer very attractive monochrome per page costs either.
And given that they costs around $300. or so, the initial purchase price is steep. But usually a inexpensive monochrome laser is cheap in initial purchase price--and in per page
consumable costs---figure a penny or page or so.

If you still want color---an inkjet is still a viable option---but you better learn to refill your own or no ink jet will be a inexpensive option---and then only one brand is a really good choice---and that is a Canon--something like a ip4200 or 4300---even with the curse of a chip is very easy to refill---and will even beat a laser on per page black text costs at less than a half cent a page---and offer very good color for a penny a page.---and at $100.00 or so initial purchase price---or spend another $50. and get a scanner in the mix..

Google nifty stuff forums on how to refill.

 

[twitchee2]

I will look up how to refill the ink, probly a good thing to know. I think the best option for me would be to get a non color laser printer, and then on the pages I need color Im sure someone around would let me print on their color. Thanks for the responses.

From a monitor stand point. What are some of your experiences/preferences for monitors when it comes to actual work such as research and typing papers? Would I be best off with my current 17in LCD? Or should I be looking around for a deal on a wide screen?

PS- gaming aside.

Thanks for all your input.

 

[wantedSpidy]

I find my wide screen useful when using Visual Studio or Eclipse for coding. No real preference while writing papers, a standard 17" should suffice for that.

 

[twitchee2]

Well Im majoring in engineering part of which is a from of CS. Im sure i will be doing some coding of sorts. i still don't know.

 

[twitchee2]

well if anyone else has a suggestion or comment from there experiences, please let me know.

 

[sniperruff]

i'd suggest getting a laptop and no printer. lots of schools let you print for free (although crowded at times). with a laptop you can take your work anywhere with you, a huge plus if you ask me.

 

[twitchee2]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
i'd suggest getting a laptop and no printer. lots of schools let you print for free (although crowded at times). with a laptop you can take your work anywhere with you, a huge plus if you ask me.

thats a good point.

 

[Tegeril]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
i'd suggest getting a laptop and no printer. lots of schools let you print for free (although crowded at times). with a laptop you can take your work anywhere with you, a huge plus if you ask me.

I'd suggest the exact opposite regarding the printer. Get a printer. You don't want to go to a computer lab when you need to print something, especially if you're running behind, or if you're going to school in a cold environment.

 

[zephyrprime]

Ditch the desktop and get a laptop. There's just no room in the dorms. Also get a compactish inkjet.

 

[piasabird]

Most colleges have printers in every computer lab. You dont really need a printer. A lot of people in college are playing video games over the network in the dorms. If you are going to rent/share an apartment you might need a printer. I prefer a black and white Laser. They seem to print forever. Laser's might cost more up front but they last longer and print better. Some colleges have computer sales every year when they sell their older equipment.

 

[twitchee2]

I think I'm definitely going to be looking around for deals on laser printers. seems like the best option for me. any in particular that stand out above the rest, or are they all roughly the same?

 

[Never Knows Best]

Laser printers are fairly expensive especially a color one. I would go with a Brother all in one. Just make sure not to get one with cartridges with the nozzle built in. Find one that uses ink tanks. So you can replace individual tanks as the color runs out. Unless you already have a scanner then a laser B/W would be a decent choice.

I would also go with a laptop if it's in your price range. By not getting a laser printer you would have a lot left over for one. That way by having a laptop you can setup your desktop to compile code, and run simulations that you write up on your laptop.

 

[twitchee2]

Originally posted by: Never Knows Best
Laser printers are fairly expensive especially a color one. I would go with a Brother all in one. Just make sure not to get one with cartridges with the nozzle built in. Find one that uses ink tanks. So you can replace individual tanks as the color runs out. Unless you already have a scanner then a laser B/W would be a decent choice.

I would also go with a laptop if it's in your price range. By not getting a laser printer you would have a lot left over for one. That way by having a laptop you can setup your desktop to compile code, and run simulations that you write up on your laptop.

The thing with the laptop, is want to wait and see what I would need when I get there. As of right now I would LOVE to get a macbook pro, I personally hate windows but I manage. Right now, I'm just figuring out what I need/want so I can budget from there.

Are scanners really that necessary? The all in on I have now was my parents and it was replaced by a all in one laser. I have used the scanner maybe once in 2 years. so I'm not to sure how necessary a scanner is.