Seeing as my old printer doesn't have any Vista x64 drivers that will work (Xerox Workstation XD102), it has kind of become a sole photocopier. I'm looking for possible options for a multi-function colour laser printer. I don't really want to spend a fortune, but I'd like to see options from all price ranges. I heard that HP LaserJet printers have a nice selection (the CM1312NFI in particular), but I don't know any other options that may be better.
Needing new printer
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13Gigatons
Diamond Member
- Apr 19, 2005
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After a bit of thinking, I found a few other models, and I'm rethinking of getting a laser printer. Other than quality, what is so good about a colour laser printer? I compared this printer with an Ink printer, and by spec, it seems to be getting crushed by the HP OfficeJet L7590. Stuff like print speed, quality, duplexing, and all-in-one functionality is important to me. Why is the LaserJet printer so much expensive, but doesn't have any better specs? What's good about it, am I missing some key feature?
mpilchfamily
Diamond Member
- Jun 11, 2007
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Laser printers cost more because of the way they work. It use to be that laser printers where faster at printing. Now the only advantage they have is there reliability. The benefit of there design is that most of the parts that can go bad and wear out are built into the toner cartridge. So that is replaced every time you have to change the cartridge. On the flip side those cartridges also cost allot more then the ink jets. Ink jest are generally used in a corporate setting because of there reliability. Chances are you will be better off with a nice ink jet printer.
Ah, thanks for clearing up the differences. I guess I'll be going with the HP OfficeJet L7590, unless there is another printer in the similar price range with similar features (duplexing is a must!)
Really? I have to disagree, most companies and corporations use laser printers. Ink-Jet is the run of the mill home printing solution, with over-priced ink.
Check out this brother multifunction. Has duplexing and wireless options too.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16828113257
When comparing laser printers make sure to compare the consumables like ink cartridges. Compare yield and estimate your cost per page.
Well, I doubt I'll require such a high-end printer like that, other than the fact that it's twice the price of the comparison. How much of a price difference is toner compared to ink given how much yield each of them gives? I'm not sure I use a printer enough to be able to make up the difference through the lifespan of the printer in the difference of the cost of ink compared to toner, so spending an extra $300 for a more ink/toner-efficient printer wouldn't make much sense, unless I'm totally underestimating how often I'd have to get new ink. So far I do like the OfficeJet printer, but I'm still unclear about this ink deal.
Spicedaddy
Platinum Member
- Apr 18, 2002
- 2,305
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hmm, it's quite the opposite. Lasers are much more reliable, ink costs less per page and doesn't smudge, etc.
The downside with color laser is pictures won't look as good as they would with quality inkjets. If you're mostly printing graphs, web pages, presentations, then color laser will be fine. If you want to print photos often then get an inkjet, but you'll be spending more on ink.
I bought a Xerox 8560N for a client this summer, which is a solid ink printer. They do alot of color printing and their HPs (2600n and 3600n) were getting expensive to fill up. They're really happy with the solid ink, quality is better than color laser and ink costs less, but it's an 800$ printer...
Anyways, color printing is a world of compromises.
That's why I still use b&w laser. I recommend Samsung for lasers.On HP printers, be sure to check your price engines - I got my Officejet Pro K5400tn (same print engine as the L7590) from another vendor (techonweb or provantage both usually do better on HP than the Egg but it looks like the Egg's current low-ball price will be hard to beat) for much less than from Newegg. I also got a set of easily refillable tanks off fleaBay. The tanks on these are large and can last a good while (OEM ones cost a lot). But HP generally includes "starter cartridges" which are either special ones with not much ink or the smaller of the stanard tanks. Mine came with the smaller versions while the refillable ones are similar to the XL tanks. The black you get should be pigmented.
This OJ series are large (my K5400 takes up 1/3 of my desk) and the print engines are noisy. This is OK for an office setting, but may not be suitable for home or home-office settings though that is where I have mine.
You can also get better photo prints using the Advanced print settings (ink volume and overspray) than you'd think from the reviews - apparently they were unable to locate these settings...
Apparently the L7590 has been superseded by the L7680 (as that's the page you land on when shopping for the L7590 on Froogle, etc. - though the sites may have some 7590s left, at least Provantage does (about $205. incl. ground) and TechOnWeb is at $183. w/ free ground ship), so clearance prices on remaining stock should be widespread. The 7680 is at $350... Also check the HP store, sometimes deals are available on closeout items and/or refurbs. One last tip on these printers. The output tray capacity is only 150 sheets (20 lb. paper or thinner), so if you frequently do runs larger than that, someone will have to be on hand to keep the output tray empty as between the two input trays (with auto switchover) can hold at least 3 times the output tray capacity - second input tray is apparently an option (may be less expensive if ordered with printer instead of later, it came bundled with the K5400tn version).
HP Store is $199. with free ground ship.
It looks like the 7500, 7600 and 7700 have basically the same engines. The 7600 and 7700 are the current models while the 7500 is on the way out. The 7700 is just the 7600 with some bundled options (wireless networking and 2nd input paper tray).
.bh.
This OJ series are large (my K5400 takes up 1/3 of my desk) and the print engines are noisy. This is OK for an office setting, but may not be suitable for home or home-office settings though that is where I have mine.
You can also get better photo prints using the Advanced print settings (ink volume and overspray) than you'd think from the reviews - apparently they were unable to locate these settings...
Apparently the L7590 has been superseded by the L7680 (as that's the page you land on when shopping for the L7590 on Froogle, etc. - though the sites may have some 7590s left, at least Provantage does (about $205. incl. ground) and TechOnWeb is at $183. w/ free ground ship), so clearance prices on remaining stock should be widespread. The 7680 is at $350... Also check the HP store, sometimes deals are available on closeout items and/or refurbs. One last tip on these printers. The output tray capacity is only 150 sheets (20 lb. paper or thinner), so if you frequently do runs larger than that, someone will have to be on hand to keep the output tray empty as between the two input trays (with auto switchover) can hold at least 3 times the output tray capacity - second input tray is apparently an option (may be less expensive if ordered with printer instead of later, it came bundled with the K5400tn version).
HP Store is $199. with free ground ship.
It looks like the 7500, 7600 and 7700 have basically the same engines. The 7600 and 7700 are the current models while the 7500 is on the way out. The 7700 is just the 7600 with some bundled options (wireless networking and 2nd input paper tray).
.bh.
shortylickens
No Lifer
- Jul 15, 2003
- 80,287
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I hate having arguments in the technical forum.
Off Topic is for intelligent arguments and P&N is for baseless, stupid arguments.
The technical forum is for actually getting people help.
Lasers are the preferred printer for any office setting and have been for 30 plus years.
And they dont cost more, they cost less (over time). With a good laser you can print for about a penny a page, sometimes half a penny if you get a big enough unit with insane monthly output.
The absolute cheapest you can get an inkjet to print is about 10 cents a page. Perhaps less if you do the whole buy-bulk-ink-online-and-refill-your-stupid-cartridges-constantly scheme but NO ONE in an office setting does that. Its a huge waste of time, messy, and you run the serious risk of gumming up your printer and then its useless until it gets cleaned.
Color lasers are now to the point where they do darn good photos as well as fast general purpose printing.
The only reason you would even consider an inkjet is if your business relied on printing the absolute highest quality photos, possibly if you were a film processing place. Industrial inkjets of that quality are MUCH more expensive than consumer inkjets. And for in-house work, you would still want a bunch of cheap lasers.
HP is still my favorite brand for all lasers. Brother isnt too bad either.
I hear Xerox is doing nice things today but I havent worked with a Xerox printer in many years.
Epson is my favorite for ink, IF you have to use them.
Off Topic is for intelligent arguments and P&N is for baseless, stupid arguments.
The technical forum is for actually getting people help.
Lasers are the preferred printer for any office setting and have been for 30 plus years.
And they dont cost more, they cost less (over time). With a good laser you can print for about a penny a page, sometimes half a penny if you get a big enough unit with insane monthly output.
The absolute cheapest you can get an inkjet to print is about 10 cents a page. Perhaps less if you do the whole buy-bulk-ink-online-and-refill-your-stupid-cartridges-constantly scheme but NO ONE in an office setting does that. Its a huge waste of time, messy, and you run the serious risk of gumming up your printer and then its useless until it gets cleaned.
Color lasers are now to the point where they do darn good photos as well as fast general purpose printing.
The only reason you would even consider an inkjet is if your business relied on printing the absolute highest quality photos, possibly if you were a film processing place. Industrial inkjets of that quality are MUCH more expensive than consumer inkjets. And for in-house work, you would still want a bunch of cheap lasers.
HP is still my favorite brand for all lasers. Brother isnt too bad either.
I hear Xerox is doing nice things today but I havent worked with a Xerox printer in many years.
Epson is my favorite for ink, IF you have to use them.
HP themselves claim that the series of OfficeJet printers discussed here DO beat laser on cost per page basis using the XL size tanks. IDK their comparison basis, but I assume it would be retail price for all consumables. Refilling with MIS brand bulk ink is easy and clean with the refillable H-88 series tanks and would cut the ink cost per page greatly. Output is very nice. Large and noisy are my only complaints besides no simple manual duplexing in software like most other inkjets can do (i.e. flip the stack and run thru again), so just get yours with the auto duplexing piece up front.
.bh.
.bh.
I ended up getting a L7780 for an insane price ($200 CDN) at BestBuy (they were in clearance, I have no clue why because other stores were selling them for $500). Just got it up and running through Wifi, and I'm pleased.
Killer buy - latest model with extra input tray. Post it in the Hot Deals section if it is still going on at all stores.
.bh.
.bh.
I don't think they're selling it anymore, as it was the last one. Nonetheless, I'll post it to see if people can find one locally.
Their US web site has it at $350. BB balances inventory all the time - either blows them out where they are not selling or move to better markets for the unit . Perhaps they were just blowing inventory out at that store. Next time I go near my store, I'll see what they have there. All I'm interested is a duplexing unit for my K5400 - I think I found a decent price online for one.
.bh.
.bh.
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