Printer memory question

[akira34]

Alright, I have a Samsung 2151N printer here with 16MB of memory installed. I've been thinking about getting more memory for it, but have to figure out if the additional memory will really make a difference for me. I know for color printers it helps, but this is just black and white... I have the option of adding up to 128MB more in memory (not that expensive, running under $60) which could be of use. I found the memory for the printer here, in case anyone is wondering...

So lets have the opinions... Is it worth it to spend the $60 + shipping to crank it up to 144MB of RAM or no?

 

[LED]

It depends as quality/speed will improve cause additional memory allows you to print better/faster at higher resolutions so are you using the Printer for High res and multiple pages, copies as well as networking will/should benefit with more Mem too ...

 

[akira34]

I was afraid someone would say that... Considering how cheap the memory is, I might as well get the 128MB more and put it in... The printer is really good as it stands, especially since it can hold a full ream in the stock tray. Resolution is good (1200x1200) and it even has full duplexing built in (standard on the networked model)...

Looks like I'll order the memory next week, so that I can have it for that weekend (if not sooner)...

I'd appreciate any additional thoughts between now and Monday about this...

 

[shortylickens]

You didnt say much about what you're doing with it.
I have a little HP laser and one half meg is plenty. I always get smooth printing even on hundred page documents.

16MB should be enough UNLESS: You are actually using it as a network printer and have many people sending multi-page, large, color documents all day long.
In that case I would probably upgrade it.

You also didnt say you were unhappy with its performance. Are you a hardcore gamer? I dont think more RAM is the answer to every problem.

 

[akira34]

Of course I'm a gamer, isn't everyone here a gamer?? I sometimes print largish files to the printer (always over the network since I picked up the network printer). I only [currently] only have two computers that connect to the printer, but I have had more at times (up to five before I trimmed down).

There are times when I send a page to print, it leaves my system, and then sits in the printer for a while before coming out. By 'a while' I'm talking about several seconds longer than I would have expected.

As for your little HP printer... HP wasn't even a viable option when I was looking for a laser printer. I needed it to be network ready from the start and HP wanted at least $100 more for a similar model. Plus, the HP couldn't hold as much paper in it's tray at a single time, and the toner cartridges on the HP were no better in price (if anything more). So, I got a high resolution (1200x1200 max), networkable, full duplex (something not even available on the models from HP at ~$100 more than the Samsung), 500 sheet capacity in the included tray, printer.

Maybe more memory isn't the issue right now, but I'm sure there will come a time in the printer's life that I'll be sending larger documents to it and it would be nice to have. I don't want to not get the upgrade now (since it is so cheap) only to not be able to get it when I do really need it... Especially with the memory being about $50 for the 128MB. It's not like it uses standard computer sized memory either...