Somebody gave me a HP Color Lasewrjet 2550n printer

Doomer

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Dec 5, 1999
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Seems to work pretty good but 2 of the color carts and the drum are down to 25%. Is it worth buying supplies for it or would my money be better spent on a newer color laser?
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
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Mar 4, 2000
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In order to answer that, you need to do a simple cost analysis. The carts have to be replaced in time even for a new printer. So, the swinger is the drum. Use it until it dies - that costs you nothing. Weigh the cost of a new drum vs. the cost of a new printer. And, eventually, the new one will need a new drum as well.

The life of the 2550 drum is about 5000 color pages. 25% would give you over 1000+ color pages available. Translate that into time. That should help you decide.
 
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pauldun170

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Sep 26, 2011
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Seems to work pretty good but 2 of the color carts and the drum are down to 25%. Is it worth buying supplies for it or would my money be better spent on a newer color laser?

You'd be surprised how long that 25% might last.
How much printing are you going to be doing?
 

Doomer

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Don't really do a whole lot of printing so the need for new supplies may be several months off. Also, after market drum and toners are considerably cheaper than OEM and they do seem to work according to most reviewers. I guess the worst that could happen is it dies a mechanical death and I'm stuck with expensive supplies and no printer to use them in.
 
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corkyg

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Mar 4, 2000
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Don't really do a whole lot of printing so the need for new supplies may be several months off. Also, after market drum and toners are considerably cheaper than OEM and they do seem to work according to most reviewers. I guess the worst that could happen is it dies a mechanical death and I'm stuck with expensive supplies and no printer to use them in.

Agree. DOn't buy any supplies until absolutely necessary. Based on your stated usage, you're probably good for a year or more. :)