Posted by HisHughness on 6/22/04 6:46pm
Msg #3355

Some advice, please

I have an older black & white HP LaserJet, and a couple of recent HP InkJets. I need a color LaserJet copier/printer. I print my own brochures, and that's become pretty expensive on an InkJet. Also, I have heretofore refused to hassle with e-dox because of previous nightmare experiences, but I thought I'd give them a try again. Any suggestions from someone more knowledgeable than I? I'd infinitely prefer HP, and I don't need the scanner/fax, though I understand that's probably going to be part of the bundle. Thanx.

Reply by AnoninNJ on 6/22/04 6:53pm
Msg #3356

I'm also shopping for a laser printer. From reading things in this forum, I've concluded that HP is the way to go. I'm just not sure if the multi-function models will hinder my ability to accept e-docs. I just saw the HP 3013 or 3015 (I'm not sure now) at OfficeMax for $300. I'm considering it, but want to check in here to make sure a multi-function model will work okay. Any thoughts?

Reply by Newbee on 6/22/04 6:59pm
Msg #3357

When I'm shopping for computer hardware or electronics I usually research at
CNET Shopper. They give product reviews.

Here's a link to their website.

http://google3-cnet.com.com/2001-1_7-0.html?tag=hd.ts

They also have price comparisons so you can see who has the best deal on what you want.

Reply by AM~NC on 6/22/04 9:47pm
Msg #3364

I know HP is probably the best but can also be more costly.

I bought a Dell P1500 laser printer about a month ago for $159 (sale price). Two paper trays (second tray was add'l $122) so docs can be printed onto the appropriate size paper automatically.
Dell is fairly new to the printer game but I've always liked/preferred Dell PC's so figured I'd give their printers a chance. So far so good!
Also they are running a no-interest till October on their own credit card. This gives you a few months to pay everything off without being hit with the interest.
I also recently bought one of their inkjet all-in-ones (print,copy,scan,fax) and I'm loving it. (A960) Great color print quality.

Reply by PAW Notary Services on 6/22/04 11:18pm
Msg #3366

Dell printers are actually NEC Technology printers. (Merged a few years back.) NEC has always made excellent equipment, even PC's and printers. They are best know for the monitors, though.

Anyway, for loan documents, a laser printer is the only acceptable printer. Inkjet printing fails durability tests as well as the water and smear tests. (New, expensive inks do last longer and don't smear or smudge as bad though.) Besides, the cost of ownership and printing on a laser printer is cheaper than an inkjet. Cost to print on a laser is 1/3 to 1/8 the cost to print on an inkjet. Laser printer will outlast inkjets 2 to 3 times. On the downside, lasers cost more to purchase.

Now, for printing some edocs, especially those that you download from "data warehouses", you need to have PCL (Page Control Language or the new Printer Command Language) software. PCL was developed and is licensed by HP. So, only HP printers have "native" PCL support. All other manufacturers have PCL emulators. Most applications use PCL 4. PCL6 is the latest release and I don't know of any company using PCL6 generators yet. A few are using PCL5e generators. So any printer you buy should have PCL5e capability at a minimum.

I have heard of some problems not using HP printers when trying to print PCL compliant documents. I have no first hand knowledge of any problems.

HP printers may cost a bit more than some of the others, but, in my opinion, the HP printer will outlast any others on the marker, their service is superior (if you need it) and their products are just plain more reliable.

Reply by HisHughness on 6/22/04 11:36pm
Msg #3370

Thanx, Paul. Unfortunately, you didn't answer my central question: I need an HP >>color<< LaserJet with copy capability. I don't need fax and scan capability. The cheapest I've found is $1,300, with printer/copier/fax/scanner bundled. You have any suggestions that are lighter on the wallet?

Reply by Joan-OH on 6/23/04 8:10am
Msg #3375

Try buy.com. HP Color laser printer for $570

http://www.buy.com/prod/HP_Color_LaserJet_1500L/q/loc/14067/10345322.html

Reply by PAW Notary Services on 6/23/04 8:36am
Msg #3377

The "bottom" of the line for HP Color Laserjet printers that also support PCL5e and above is the HP LJ 3700. (AFAIK) (The HP LJ 1500 doesn't support PCL!)

Color laser printing is still very expensive as the technology is fairly recent and still considered "new", so the cost is still relatively high.

Reply by Linda/NOCa on 6/23/04 11:40am
Msg #3395

I have a HP2200 which I am very happy with. I do edocs and once in a while you get a bad one as it might be corrupted, but all in all I have done them quickly and they come out nice on the laser hp printer.

Reply by mike mchenry on 6/23/04 3:34pm
Msg #3411

i use a mfc 6800 brother and have no problem with e-docs

Reply by Tom on 6/23/04 8:55pm
Msg #3424

From everything I've read HP seems to be the way to go. HP has native PCL while the others emulate PCL. A few months ago I bought a used (less than a year old) HP 1200 for under $200 including insured shipping from another notary. It has served me well and was a lot cheaper than buying a new 1300. Check EBay and the notary borads. Post on the boards that you are interested in buying a good used printer.

Reply by Joan-OH on 6/23/04 9:09pm
Msg #3426

Good Printer Here

HP 3300

http://www.compu-america.com/prodDisplay.asp?CatID=47&ProdID=118437