Which laser mono printer looks best?

[MrPabulum]

Hey all,

Time for law school, time to ditch 4 year old Samsung ML1210. From what I've read, the Oki 4250 looks like a great printer, and happens to be roughly $20 cheaper than the Brother (Newegg!). I know Brother is quality, but was also wondering: what have been people's experiences with Oki printers?

 

[MrPabulum]

Bueller?

 

[Excelsior]

A used HP 4100n.

 

[MrPabulum]

any other thoughts? :beer:

 

[wseyller]

consumables for the oki are expensive. I would go with an hp laserjet. Any used one would do fine.

A used Hp4000 series would probably be the best if you can find one reasonably priced. It is probably the most common laser printer in the industry and it works well. The hp 4100 is a new model with a similiar engine. all the components in the cartridge are basically the same. The hp4100 has a chip, but it will run without one. The hp4000 can run a 4000 or 4100 cartridge. the high yield cartridge for either printer is rated @ 10,000 pages 5% for an oem cartridge.

 

[HDTVMan]

HP actually is selling their laser printers at cost to just below cost. They no longer make money on them but hope to make the money in the consumables. So HP quality is high because they dont want you rebuying their printers just the supplies. Which you can get good knockoff parts as well.

 

[MrPabulum]

Well, my old office had a HP 4150, which worked quite well. The cheapest I could find the HP4100 (or any variant of it) was about $400 used. As nice as it might be, $400 is a tough sell against a $189 Oki 4250 or Brother 5150 for $205. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place?

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: MrPabulum
Well, my old office had a HP 4150, which worked quite well. The cheapest I could find the HP4100 (or any variant of it) was about $400 used. As nice as it might be, $400 is a tough sell against a $189 Oki 4250 or Brother 5150 for $205. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place?

I guess..but the 4100n I got for my parents is most excellent.

 

[MrPabulum]

I do not doubt the quality. The 4150 in my old office is great: printing was excellent and the input was 400-500 pages. But $400 is a tough swallow to carry a coconut. Now, if it was $200-250, then it becomes a very interesting option. Anyone know where I could find it at that price? :beer:

 

[wseyller]

Normally with the oki the cost per page is usually so high it cost an arm and a leg for the drum unit and toner. I've seen many people adbandon these printers after the starter cartridges are out of toner because sometimes it usually cost more for the cartridges than the printer does. How do you think they make money from you.....from the sale of the printer??? Think again. I imagine that they lose money on the printer to lock you in to their consumables.

The brother is a good printer. They have not changed much in a while expect for toner formulation. The drum unit and toner cartridge design is simliar to older models that have done very in the market over the years. Toner isn't too costly but you will feel your pockets burning when you have to replace the drum unit which will occur approx. every 5 or 6 toner cartridge replacements.

The hp printer will be the best choice. This may depending on how much you print. If you print alot it may cost you less in the long run. This printer uses an all-in-one cartridge that has the drum, toner, and developing section in one unit. You can find very good deals on this cartridge (hp4000 &/or the hp4100) which will lower your cost per page. Also these printers are less costly for repairs that the ones above.

 

[MrPabulum]

Hmm...so it comes down to a Brother or HP 4050. Any recommendations on where I can find a used HP 4050 for less than $250? :beer:

 

[wseyller]

I you will be looking at least $400. If you need a cheaper printer try an HP laserjet 4, 4plus, or 5. This was a great series of printers. They are work horses. They are slower than the HP4000 series but they are very efficient if you don't need 1200dpi res. Toner is quite cheap and reliable for these printers. They are cheap and easy to repair and will run forever.