Looking for an inexpensive printer

[glen]

I almost never need a printer, but once in a while I need to send off a type written letter.
Normally, I walk over to my neighbor's house with my laptop and print.
But, don't they sell printers for lke $50 now?
What is the word on the street here at AnandTech?

 

[Dahak]

do you print mostly black and white or color?
if you mostly to black and white, a inexpensive laser would be better in the long run if you do infrequent printing as a cheap inkjet the ink can clog up or dry up if not used frequently

you should be able to get a inexpensive laser for a bout $100 - $150. Yes that would be more than what you where thinking but buying a 50 dollar inkjet and the in dries up your looking at another printer

 

[tenoc]

Definitely a laser for what you want.

Prices are lower than mentioned. A B&W for $50 or colour for $120. Check ncix's current sale.

 

[Lemon law]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...UNG-_-28112195

Here is one $50.00 laser. Not to say there are not many other good choices. Ink jets are really bad for infrequent printing, laser have no problems with infrequent printing.

 

[jjmIII]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828113545&cm_re=brother_laser_printer-_-28-113-545-_-Product

everything you'll ever need in a B&W

 

[Cerb]

If B&W, what about a used HP 4050, off eBay? Snag one w/ networking, and it can be used until it really croaks.

 

[Binky]

I've got the 1655 linked above by lemonlaw. Its a great little printer for the price.

 

[weovpac]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828113545&cm_re=brother_laser_printer-_-28-113-545-_-Product

everything you'll ever need in a B&W

I have an older version of this. Has worked fine for years now.

 

[bonheur]

I've got an HP Deskjet F2280 All-in-One printer which I use a few times every month--most of the time for B&W prints. I can also use it as a Xerox machine or I can scan documents to the computer. It also came with some basic software that I rarely use.

I've got that printer hooked up to the desktop with an unusually long USB cable and it's working just fine. That printer is about 2 years old.

The ink cartridges--one for black, one for color--are reasonably priced and there is the possibility of "XL" cartridges which are cheaper per mililiter of ink. The printer was about $50 if memory serves me well. Hopefully there'll be something like that available from HP in their current offerings.

 

[Compman55]

For B&W only:
HP Laserjet 4050dn $100-200 on ebay w/ toner

For color:
HP Color Laserjet 4650dn about $200-350 on ebay w/ good toners

I would never think of owning anything but a laser. My HP 4650dn is so impressive I am mad I didn;t own it sooner. My inkjets dry up in 4-6 months on non use each and every time.

I am of the old skool, buy somthing used of higher quality, than to buy somthing brand new built like crap. And any new laser under $100 truly is crap.

The only way to own an inkjet is for the highest quality digital photo printing when you do not want to spend the money on a dye sub printer.

 

[Lemon law]

Here we gave a still on going thread at 5 to 6 weeks and still going. And our OP, glen, has not had the courtesy to weigh back in.

So what the hey, it terms of buying old but good technology, and the fact our OP only needs text, there are all those old dot matrix printers, old daisy wheel printers, and even word processors floating around the used market. Now a days, it may be tough to find drivers for old dot matrix and daisy wheel printers, but word processors are combo type writer and printer.

 

[Compman55]

Here we gave a still on going thread at 5 to 6 weeks and still going. And our OP, glen, has not had the courtesy to weigh back in.

So what the hey, it terms of buying old but good technology, and the fact our OP only needs text, there are all those old dot matrix printers, old daisy wheel printers, and even word processors floating around the used market. Now a days, it may be tough to find drivers for old dot matrix and daisy wheel printers, but word processors are combo type writer and printer.

I don;t take it personal anymore....... On the automotive forums I belong to, you help someone get their car on the road and they forget to report back. I admit I have done it. It is always good to hear back as to what they ended up buying...

 

[glen]

Here we gave a still on going thread at 5 to 6 weeks and still going. And our OP, glen, has not had the courtesy to weigh back in.

So what the hey, it terms of buying old but good technology, and the fact our OP only needs text, there are all those old dot matrix printers, old daisy wheel printers, and even word processors floating around the used market. Now a days, it may be tough to find drivers for old dot matrix and daisy wheel printers, but word processors are combo type writer and printer.

I am still here. I think I may get a Laser printer. The only thing holding me back is the space. I suppose I could store it in a cloet and pull it out to print.

 

[Lemon law]

Thank you Glen for weighing back in, but what really prompted my latest post was the fact I frequent good will stores.

Just two weeks ago I could have bought an old word prosier cheap, the only part needed to make it brand new might be a replacement ribbon.

Exactly the ideal printer to you to store in a closet, no computer needed you see, just plug it in to wall power and you are ready to go.

In short Glen you have so many options, looking to the used market may be the best way for you to go.

As for me I passed up on that $20.00 deal, even though it was really an oldie but goodie steal.

 

[WHAMPOM]

I was given a HP laserjet 5L printer and brand new spare toner cartridge. 500 pages on the installed cartridge and still printing very good. They bought a color laser and are having toner trouble, throwing alot away.