recommendations for new printer

nehama · Oct 25, 2011

I have had bad luck with HP printers, the last of which just died, so I'm searching for a new and better, but not too expensive one. I need something compatible with Mac OS X Version 10.6.8. I'd prefer one that doesn't hog ink and prints good quality text, suitable for sending to agents. I don't need all sorts of extra bells and whistles (fax, scanner and all that), although I realize most are all-in-one these days. I've spent a good part of today researching and can't seem to find what I need. Any suggestions?
Also, could I have played a part in the failure of my latest HP printer? It died after little over a year. Since I print mainly black-and-white text, I neglected to replace the color print cartridges, because it seemed wasteful to put them in only to have them sit there and dry out. Today when the printer died it was due to an ink system failure, according to the code, which the person at HP said meant the chip inside the printer failed. Could I have caused it? If so, I don't want to do the same thing again.
Thanks so much for your help.

Alexys · Oct 26, 2011

If you're looking for something to print text, consider a B&W laser printer rather than an inkjet. They don't have problems with the ink drying out, are usually cheaper per page printed, and you're more likely to find one that's just a printer rather than an all-in-one device.

Brandwise, well, you're going to get a lot of different opinions. I like Epsons, but the three I've owned have all been inkjets (or dot matrix). A lot of people seem to like Brother laser printers.

Deleted member 42 · Oct 26, 2011

Alexys said:
Brandwise, well, you're going to get a lot of different opinions. I like Epsons, but the three I've owned have all been inkjets (or dot matrix). A lot of people seem to like Brother laser printers.

Absolutely get a black and white laserjet. I'd suggest HP, Brother or Canon, for Mac OS X.

My first HP laserjet was purchased in 2007, and it's still going strong, on it's second cartridge, and more than two cases of paper.

I wouldn't get a WiFi enabled one, but if you've got an Airport you can connect the printer 's USB cable to the Airport and have wireless printing.

Maryn · Oct 26, 2011

My HP LaserJet is even older. (It's a LaserJet 1200.) I'm all the way up to my third cartridge. I get at least twice as many pages as it's rated for, consistently. I have suffered two, count-'em-two, paper jams, both with sheets from a ream with a curl to it.

As technical purchases go, I consider this selection a home run.

Maryn, more than satisfied

kuwisdelu · Oct 26, 2011

I don't print enough these days to justify buying one myself, but I hear great things about Brother's B&W Lasejets.

BDSEmpire · Oct 26, 2011

Brother makes fantastic laserjets. Here's one on sale right now that prints quickly, has built-in duplexing and wireless without being terribly expensive. You will probably take a year or more to go through the initial toner cartridge and replacements are cheap.

http://www.staples.com/Brother-HL-2270DW-Mono-Laser-Printer/product_887222

Your price per page compared to inkjet is incredibly low once you switch to laser. I have the cheaper version of that at home - no duplexing or wireless - and love it. I've also got an Epson photo series printer that I use for color work.

I used to publish my own zine and was amazed at what a difference laserprinter output made compared to inkjet. Not having your cartridges dry out is a big plus.

Another Editor · Nov 2, 2011

I'll add my voice to the chorus of people who say that you should get a black & white laser printer. I have had very good luck with Samsungs. I got one in 2002 and it was still working at the end of 2009 when I replaced it; if I take it out of storage, it will still work (albeit with a very faded printout performance). The only reasons I had to replace it were first, I needed something that printed in color (not recommended in your case because all the toner you need to print in color is expensive) and second, they stopped making toner cartridges for that one by 2008 or so; I only had to replace the toner cartridge once, 4 years after buying the printer.

freginold · Nov 3, 2011

I agree with Alexys. If you're only looking to print black and white, go with a laser printer. And very few printers can match HP for durability, ease of use, and reliability. HP LaserJet printers last forever, with VERY few problems. And if you're not printing a high volume, toner will give you less problems than ink.

BDSEmpire · Nov 3, 2011

freginold said:
And very few printers can match HP for durability, ease of use, and reliability. HP LaserJet printers last forever, with VERY few problems.

This was certainly the case with their venerable Laserjet III and IV lines. The new series of HP laser printers have been pretty lackluster in my experience.

In the court of nerd opinion, Brother and Samsung have taken HP's place in the home and small business market for reliable, no-hassle laser printing. Mainly because their drivers aren't an abomination to use or download and the machinery seems to work with the same quality as the old Laserjets. They just run faster and have nicer features.

If you don't print too much and don't mind the wait for the printer to warm up, getting a used Laserjet III isn't a bad deal. You can find them in closeouts, Craigslist and surplus sales for super cheap. Toner cartridges are readily available and with a little care they will last another decade. Too bad they print slow as crap and ARE REALLY LOUD TO OPERATE. Still, they're a tank of a printer and if you score one on the cheap it's worth the minor hassle of getting them setup.

Robbert · Nov 3, 2011

In 2008 I bought a used Canon black & white laser printer. It's still going strong and works with OS-X as well as Windows. Approx. 3.500 pages per (€ 50) cartridge.

Matera the Mad · Nov 4, 2011

B&W laser uber alles! You might find a solid used one on e-bay for a good price.

Carmy · Nov 4, 2011

I had it with HP two years ago and bought a Kodak all-in-one. It takes up far less room than the HP I had. Would need to turn it inside out to find the model and can't remember what I paid. (Hey it is two years ago!) I've never regretted it and it's never given me any trouble.

recommendations for new printer

nehama

Alexys

Took a wrong turn at the Pleiades

Deleted member 42

Maryn

I Tried

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

BDSEmpire

Kindly Bumpkin

Another Editor

freginold

BDSEmpire

Kindly Bumpkin

Robbert

Practical experience FTW

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

Carmy