Posted by Cris_AR on 5/6/09 1:23pm
Msg #287484

Color Laser Printer

I need to buy a color printer. I already have a Brother MFC8860DN which I am comfortable with, just want color.
Any suggestions? Naturally I want one fast enough for edocs, yet unsure on speed requirements really needed.
The less I have to spend the better.

Reply by Notary/VA on 5/6/09 1:25pm
Msg #287486

I think HP have a fairly reasonably price color laser printer, at least that is what the guy at Best Buy told me. I was looking at the Canon brand but the toner is too expensive.

Reply by Cris_AR on 5/6/09 1:32pm
Msg #287489

I am trying to compare price/speed.
I will go back and look at HP's again.
Do you know what the lowest speed needed is?

Reply by CopperheadVA on 5/6/09 1:48pm
Msg #287492

I have an HP 2600n color laser which I love and my kids get compliments from their teachers when they turn in a report or do a project with pictures from my HP, but there is no way I would use it to print loan docs - the toner is waaaaaaay too expensive for that.

I have a separate B&W laser printer for my loan docs.

Reply by Cris_AR on 5/6/09 1:51pm
Msg #287493

I would like one for all b/w and color.
What makes it more expensive for the b/w copies?
I have read the toner colors are expensive but I would not use as much as the b/w.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 5/6/09 2:05pm
Msg #287494

For my Color HP LaserJet 2600n:

HP Q6000A Black Toner Cartridge at Staples $82.99
Compatible Q6000A Black Laser Toner Cartridge at LD Products $46.99
(Yields up to 2500 pages)

For my B&W HP LaserJet 2430tn:

HP Q6511X at Staples $228.99
Compatible HP Q6511X at LD Products $60.00
(Yields up to 12,000 pages)

I buy my toner cartridges from LD Products. I would have to buy 5 of the Q6000A cartridges for $234.95 to print the same amount I can print with one HP Q6511X for $60.00.

Reply by Cris_AR on 5/6/09 2:13pm
Msg #287495

Thanks, I understand now.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 5/6/09 4:38pm
Msg #287537

You also have to look at how the color cartridges are set up, i.e. is there one color cartridge or are there separate cartridges for each primary color (so you only have to replace them as you use them up, in case one color tends to get used more). The latter likely will cost you less in toner over time, but the printer will probably cost more up front.

If I were concerned about printing in color, I'd get another separate printer, just for whatever color needs I might have and keep a B&W only printer for docs. I think that would be the most cost effective, but that's not based on a thorough evaluation. It also depends on what kind of volume you expect to do with edocs.

Reply by Rich/PA on 5/6/09 11:22pm
Msg #287616

I'd suggest considering toner/ink cost + quality you require as a big factor in making any such choice.

Reply by Gary_CA on 5/6/09 4:37pm
Msg #287536

I'm happy with my Okidata

I've got a C5150N which is discontinued now, I've had it going on 4 years. It has performed great and the consumable costs are reasonable. When this dies I'll buy another Oki.

I've also got a Brother 8860DN which I HATE! It's a great machine, faster than the Oki, does everything, I bought a second tray for it.... but it has one itty bitty problem that makes it UNUSABLE. The space the printed paper comes out in is about 2" high so if the paper curls, just a little, after about 10 pages is starts throwing pages all over the floor. Or sometimes it accordion folds them like it's making origami fans.

Grrrr.... such a good machine with one design flaw... bozos.

Reply by Jim/AL on 5/6/09 9:28pm
Msg #287596

I have an Okidata coloralso but it costs to much to maintain

even though I rarely ever used color printing it went through fusers numerous times and then a drive belt to drag it under the four toner cartridges. Great printer and fast, but maintenance costs were outrageous. Unless you really need color, I say stick with black only

Reply by Gary_CA on 5/6/09 9:39pm
Msg #287600

Shhhh

You're gonna bring me bad luck. Mine has started bugging me for it's first fuser change. I'm debating dumping it when the fuser quits fusing. No belt yet.

Up tilll now it has been great.