Best Colour Laser Printer? (~ $300)

Click_It on 23/03/2018 - 09:57
Last edited 23/03/2018 - 10:39 by 1 other user

I'm not in any hurry but I will need to replace my aging Brother HL-4150CDN due to the drum or belt (I think?) gone bad.

I paid $335 back in 2013 for it. I've used generic toners the whole time and it gets 6000 pages for each, which in generic form are a real bargain. I've had real trouble finding anything which comes close today, even it's replacement models cut back to around 2500 pages.

Do I need 6000 pages per toner? Yes and No. I used to print colour manuals and absolutely needed it, those days are probably behind me now but I still love knowing that a new toner will last >12 months. So if not 6000 pages, then something close to it.
Do I need colour? Yes.

Photo quality? No

Multifunction? It'd be nice but not necessary.

Fast PPM? No

Affordable toners? YES!

What's wrong with my Brother HL-4150CDN? According to diagnostics the drum still has about 50% life in it, but I get lots of black and coloured spots throughout the page, I've tried cleaning them with special clothes a few times which helps but never fixes it completely. The printer has moved home 3 times including interstate so it's been shook around a fair bit. It's possible a new drum or belt (or both?) for $150ea will bring it back to new but unless I'm certain that'll fix it I don't want to go down that path. And I'd only want to replace 1 not both ($300 isn't worth it)

I'd even buy another HL-4150CDN if I found one in good condition for the right price. I found someone recently willing to sell me 2 for $90 each, with less usage than mine has on it, but pulled out of the deal.

Computing

Comments

  • holdenmg on 23/03/2018 - 12:05

    This:
    https://www.arc.com.au/product/40964 for $292.22

    • Click_It on 23/03/2018 - 14:29
      +1

      You know what, it's not out of the question. One obvious advantage of getting another is I have a use for the spare toners I still have. A little sad that the price has only dropped $40 in 5 years but it has been a good printer in my experience. Their newest replacements only tweaked a few things like aesthetics and reduced toner capacities, like the HL-8250CDN just changed colour and got shittier toner cartridges for a $ premium lol. Nothing in the Brother line near $300 does 6000 pages anymore.

      Every now and then I look for second hand units, some have been punished while others barely used. Luckily the problems mine have don't seem to be too common (must be due to all the moving around).

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