Posted by LynnNC on 3/30/09 10:55am
Msg #282652

I bought an HP4250n a year ago...

...with a second tray and have never taken it out of the box. It is too big and I plan to sell it.

I want to get a printer that is fast and efficient, but, smaller. I already have an HP 3330 multifunction printer, so want a fast single function dual tray printer.

The HP P2015D mentioned on a 3/29 thread is smaller, but I would prefer one that is faster than it's speed of 26 pages/min. I did a search and found recommendations for:

Brother HL 5140 21 ppm
Brother 5150DLT 20 ppm
Brother HL-5250DNT 30 ppm

The first two are too slow, and I am not familiar with the cost of toner and drums for the Brother printers. I am partial to HP, but am open to other suggestions.

Reply by JamesLee/VA on 3/30/09 11:10am
Msg #282654

Lynn,

Check your PM please

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 3/30/09 11:41am
Msg #282656

Do a search here, too, Lynn....printers have been discussed

several times....if memory serves me (and it probably doesn't)...I think the Brother is more cost-prohibitive than the HP - HP's may be higher priced but there's no drum issues with them - you replace the toner and that's that - I've heard (and have not tested the theory) that the Brother drums can go, and a drum can be as expensive as the printer itself...

Reply by Luana Lonergan on 3/30/09 11:54am
Msg #282658

Re: Do a search here, too, Lynn....printers have been discussed

Lynn, Linda is correct. I have a HP3050 that I have had for 2 years. Is not dual tray but the greatest printer I have ever used. I wanted a dual tray and checked out the issues on the Brother. Very similar respones, drums on the Brothers are a huge issue and for the price of a new drum, you can buy another printer.
I would never switch to any other printer.

Reply by James Schultz on 3/30/09 12:56pm
Msg #282661

Re: Do a search here, too, Lynn....printers have been discussed

I purchased the drum for my brother HL-5240 for $ 32.00 on E-Bay.This is for the drum only, you must remove and replace the drum, which is very easy to do.

If you buy the whole assembly, then it costs $150+, not worth it if you go that route.These drums will last a long time, well past the 25k light that will come telling you it's shot.Simply reset the printer and go another 25K. I believe I replaced my drum after 75K as the print quality was finally starting to suffer.

Reply by LynnNC on 3/30/09 2:07pm
Msg #282678

Linda - I did a search back to 04/2008...

...and that is how I came up with the list in my post...interestingly, nearly all I read about were Brothers.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 3/30/09 2:16pm
Msg #282681

Re: Linda - I did a search back to 04/2008...

It was just a thought, Lynn...I thought I remembered hearing negatives about the Brother and the drum, etc..etc...like I said, if memory serves me, and it probably doesn't...

Reply by LynnNC on 3/30/09 2:44pm
Msg #282689

Re: Linda - I did a search back to 04/2008...

As you did, I remembered negative posts about the drums on the Brother, but, practically every recommendation over the last year has been for a Brother!

Reply by MistarellaFL on 3/30/09 4:56pm
Msg #282713

I love my Brothers, and if you look, lower prices are abound

<a href="http://www.tonerdealers.com/catalog/product_info.php?ref=8&products_id=251&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">DR510 - Eclipse Compatible (NEW)</a>

Reply by MW/VA on 3/30/09 12:57pm
Msg #282662

Sent you a P/M.

Reply by RickinVA on 3/30/09 1:23pm
Msg #282666

Why not let everyone see the

comments instead of sending PMs? That's one of the things for which this
forum is famous, as well as it's purpose. IMHO

I bought a Brother 5250 DLT last year and it has been fine for me. I don't
do as many closings as a lot of you, possibly due to my rural area or the
fact that my fees are mostly set in stone, but it has worked flawlessly for me,
and toner is relatively inexpensive through inkjet superstores.com. I have a
5140 single tray that is just sitting waiting for the 5250 to quit working.
Haven't had to use it since I got the 5250.

Rick

Reply by MW/VA on 3/30/09 2:44pm
Msg #282690

Re: Why not let everyone see the

I seem to have lousy luck with printers, and the 5250DNT I had for 6 mos. malfunctioned.
Brother did send me a replacement, but it left me without the printer last week (EOM).

Reply by Stoli on 3/30/09 3:21pm
Msg #282698

Toner for the Brother HL 5250DNT is $65 at Provantage n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 3/30/09 3:28pm
Msg #282700

Re: Toner for the Brother HL 5250DNT is $65 at Provantage

Lots less for compatible carts at LD Products.

Reply by LynnNC on 3/30/09 6:19pm
Msg #282722

Re: Toner for the Brother HL 5250DNT is $65 at Provantage

Ane even less on eBay.

Reply by Joan_OH on 3/31/09 4:57am
Msg #282794

I think you are making a mistake

I have the HP 4200, the 35ppm printer to your 45ppm printer. After about 350,000 pages printed, I have probably only had 1/2 dozen james. I love this printer so much I bought a second for my office. I'd buy a 3rd for my car if my inverter could handle it (and yes I tried). I pay $25-$30 for refurbed cartridges that are good for 12K pages and yes, I do get 12K.

If you want to increase your cost of printing substantially, go ahead and replace it with a Brother with their expensive consumeables.

My first printer was an HP 3330. Although it worked out well for me, I think at this point I might go nuts pacing waiting for the print job to complete.

Joan

Reply by BrendaTx on 3/31/09 6:19am
Msg #282796

The HP4250n is a work horse that prints...prints...prints...

with no problem. I'd embrace it like a puppy and make room for it. JMHO

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/31/09 7:47pm
Msg #282908

Has anyone tried the HP 2050 series?

Here's a link to this printer info: http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF25a/18972-18972-3328059-14638-236263-3662052.html.

I'm in the same boat as you, Lynn, with same current printer and partial to HP. I just don't want to have to deal with worrying about printer issues like drum replacement, and I'm used to refilling my own toner cartridges. However, my mfp 3330 is now five years old. It's still cranking away, but I'd love to be able to use it as a back-up and get something much faster with dual trays.

I've been doing a bit of searching and I'm looking at the HP 2055x at 35 ppm. It has a faster processor and more memory than the more expensive 3005 series printers, but is somehow rated for fewer copies per month -- and significantly less expensive with two trays.

For you techno savvy folks out there, how important do you think is the recommended monthly print volume and/or duty cycle? That's my one concern about this printer. (I'm sure I printed a good bit more than the recommended max of 3,000 this month - maybe even approaching double that. The 3330 mfp I'm using is rated for 10,000 max pages/month. I'm appreciating it more and more as I look for a replacement!)

Reply by jba/fl on 3/31/09 10:06pm
Msg #282943

Re: Has anyone tried the HP 2050 series?

"For you techno savvy folks out there, how important do you think is the recommended monthly print volume and/or duty cycle?"

That's an odd thing to me: duty cycle, monthly print volume. What happens if you go over? Does it strike? Quit? Can someone explain this to me? I'm not in need yet, but plan to switch from Brother to HP when the time comes, but don't understand this concept. Are there other things I should understand as well?

Reply by JanetK_CA on 4/1/09 2:08am
Msg #282953

Re: Has anyone tried the HP 2050 series?

I did a Google search for "duty cycle" and if I recall, the consensus was that it varies by vendor, but is mostly for marketing and comparison purposes. The max # of copies (I think) is supposed to give an idea about how hearty the machine is and how much use it can handle over a month's time without breaking down and causing some indeterminate problems, or shortening the useful life of the printer. Naturally, there are going to be lots of variables depending on the printer, but that's about the extent of what I know.

BTW, as critical as a printer is to my business these days, I think I'm giving up on the idea of trying for a bargain on a used or refurbished model. Some times "bargains" can cost more in the long run. Doesn't mean I wouldn't love a great deal on a new one, though!

Reply by trnsa_IL on 4/1/09 1:38pm
Msg #283027

Janet, I just purchased this printer on Monday. The duty...

cycle for this printer stated 50,000 pages per month with up to 35 pmm. I wanted a dual tray printer that was faster than my MFP Hp 3030 @ 15 pmm. While I love my 3030 (I actually have 2 of these), I was tired of waiting so long for docs to print. I will use it as my scanner, fax, and for a back-up printer.

I also saw the 750 to 3000 pages per month. But then I read the definition of duty cycle on the specifications page and decided to go with this one. The next one up was double the price. Good Luck.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 4/1/09 5:51pm
Msg #283068

Re: Janet, I just purchased this printer on Monday. The duty...

When I did a search and read up on "duty cycle", the consensus I came away with was that the max pages was more meaningful than the duty cycle, esp. for HP, I believe. But I don't remember the source. Frankly, I was surprised to see the max recommende pages so low - and like you, I'm not keen on the idea of paying twice as much!

I'd love to hear how things go with the new printer!