What is the modern equivalent to the HP 4000 series?

[SpatiallyAware]

We have a bunch of HP 4000s that are due for replacement. We have some with a million pages flagged on them, and many have gotten to where maint kits are a waste to install. Also, newer laptops don't have parallel.


Requirements:

-B&W only, I don't want to keep stock of any more color toner/ink.
-Maintenance-kit capable
-"Tech User friendly" IE regular IT people need to be able to install maintenance kits, clear jams, etc. Anything that requires shipping to service can't be considered.
-USB connection

11x17 would be REALLY nice but not required.

 

[Mixolydian]

Also, newer laptops don't have parallel.

JetDirect/Ethernet?

 

[imagoon]

Those printers are work horses. I personally was in your position and I determined that going and buying the Ethernet ports for $10 a piece and setting up network printing to get around the LPT issue was the best option.

Why are the maint kits a waste to install? I had several of those that made nearly 4-5million prints running strong with what amounts to $30 of parts except the fusers.

The 4300 / 4350's were good replacements for those that needed the 40-50 pages a minute.

 

[Mixolydian]

The 4300 / 4350's were good replacements for those that needed the 40-50 pages a minute.

The only problem is that they've been discontinued for almost 8 years now.

 

[imagoon]

The only problem is that they've been discontinued for almost 8 years now.

Yes and you can pick them up refurbed for dirt cheap. I was picking up fully loaded 4300's for $600. (IE 4 trays, 192MB RAM, Duplexer, Network card, PCL boards)There are tons of companies out there that will happily support them since they are dirt simple to work on.

I worked with Illinois Paper and Copier for example. Dirt cheap supplies and support contracts that made replacing them completely uneconomical. HP still makes new parts to this day for them also.

 

[Viper GTS]

The maintenance intervals on these printers are so high that unless there is something fundamentally wrong with the print engine the kits are probably still your best bet. The older 4000/4050/4100 models are absolute workhorses as mentioned, and EIO jetdirect cards are easy to come by (and not terribly expensive). The 4200/4300 seemed far more fragile when they came out but maybe time proved them OK as well.

If you want 11x17 you're looking at something that is the successor to the 5000 series... Not sure what that would be since my knowledge of HP printers is forever frozen in time in the early 2000's.

I would avoid the temptation to go USB on these. These workgroup printers really shine on ethernet. It's the far better option. Leave USB to $100 personal printers.

Viper GTS

 

[dave_the_nerd]

The Laserjet Pro 400 is the equivalent today.

I don't think they make 'em like they used to, personally. If you can, you're probably better off replacing them with the Laserjet Enterprise 6xx series on a 2:1 or 3:1 basis. A heavier-duty printer will tend to last longer.

If you go the other route, the Brother HL-5xxx series are good, nearly-disposable printers that will put out a few hundred thousand pages with minimal maintenance outside of drums & toner.