Hi
I'm looking for a good deal on a laser colour printer.
It will mainly be used to print notes and occasionally photos.
Saw this on posted a few days ago and was wondering if I should go with it or there is a better option for my needs: http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/93001
Thanks
I got a Dell 1350cnw for $161 delivered last week. Very pleased with the device, and the service from Beecom. Main advantage over the brother is inbuilt wifi. It also has an app for printing from android or ios devices (which isn't very good, but is adequate).
Don't buy a colour laser printer for uni unless you are prepared to spend big on toners. The easiest way is to buy inkjets that are economical (large cheap original inks) and fast. HP Officejet 8600 has very cheap original ink and prints faster than a colour laser printer. Better quality picture prints as well
Colour laser have a black toner cartridge too, and aftermarket toner is cheaper per b&w page than inkjet.
Edit: I just googled, and indeed the HP inkjet claims 1.8c per page, compared to the Dell laser I have claimed 3.5c per page. With aftermarket ink the laser is 1.5c. But, the HP pao2x linked to has aftermarket cartridges that do 1000pages for $8, so under 1c per page.
So I take beck the suggestion, unless you need laser quality, and go with the Officejet if you are after lowest print costs.
Plus 1 for the Officejet pro 8600
There are two models 8600 and 8600+ To me the main difference being plus has dual sided scanning.
Other features they have are web printing, direct printing via airprint from your phone etc
On the printer you linked to, there was a members comment that said
Awesome printers for grunt work, not good for photos etc but fine for basic color.
Might want to check that, if you go that brother laser/LED printer
Just get an inkjet. A laser printer is cheaper per print in the normal retail market, where both toner and ink cartridges are expensive. But ink cartridges for inkjet printers on eBay are crazy cheap, while toner keeps it high price.
What I would do : Get an inkjet from ebay sine they go for nothin, make sure the ink sells on ebay, then the printer will last you forever with forever cheap inks!
OK I guess I'll be going for an inkjet.
I know I'll mostly print in black/white but there are some occasions when I want to print like a photo or poster and I want to be able to do that as well.
It would be fantastic it someone could link me a printer for uni that saves money as well as a link to the ink. I want to be able to print as much with my money as possible.
But how many colour pages will you be printing? You can print colour A4 at officeworks for 88c each which is probably going to be hard to beat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=qB…
I'd just get a mono laser, and skip colour completely.
Davo
Great video link, worth watching for anyone considering a printer.
But what to do? as you said one could buy a Laser and use Office works for a colour copy.
But Laser printers also come with a low capacity cartridge, and in some cases the replacement cartridge costs as much as the printer.
Or alternatively in both Laser and Inkjet cases, buy the printer, then get cheap replacement ink/toner.
Yep you can then lose your warranty, but unless the unit dies within one or two replacements, you will be ahead. Then in worst case you have to buy another cheap unit. Or if you are like the majority who use cheap inks, you will get 1,2 or more years with cheap ink and colour printing which, will be far less than even 88c at Officeworks. (who BTW wont print money copies even for Comancheros….)
But Laser printers also come with a low capacity cartridge, and in some cases the replacement cartridge costs as much as the printer.
The easiest way is to look up the cost of a new cartridge for the printer you want.
5.8c/page - https://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/products/Technology/Pr…
6.4c/page https://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/products/Technology/Pr…
4.7c/page (for the larger capacity) - https://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/products/Technology/Pr…
Generally the more expensive the laser printer is, the better value the cartridges are. Maths it up!
I agree with your maths, I was just pointing out, that lower cost lasers, the ones that the OP was discussing, mostly come with lower capacity toner cartridges included in the shipment just like many inkjets do.
Once you go off market with ink/toner the maths changes.
And of course comparing black with black the cost comes down. It's just when and if the OP really needs colour, then inkjet, is far cheaper. And as I said before new inkjets are waterfast, so now don't have this old issue to consider.
Even buying cartridges for laser printers you still come out ahead compared to inkjets. But of course a scrimper will use a refilled toner cartridge or do their own refill.
As for colour OP, how often do you need it? If a photo, get it at a photofinisher for 9c or whatever. Printing a poster can significantly drain your cartridge. You might think a billboard ad to find a new home for your cat merits a colour page, but honestly no.
If you still have your heart set on inkjet then look at refills of course or even CIS systems.
Ok scrap the colour I think I'll go for a mono laser.
What's a good deal with wifi as well, I'll be printing from my macbook and basically just uni notes.
I saw a Samsung ML-2165w at HN for $89. Not sure if it's a good price or printer.
buy a printer with auto duplexer… saves you some pain
Yup for uni, definitely a mono laser. Brothers are good, we are on our second Brother in 10 years or so. Uni students do a lot of printing. They scan and copy, so very useful.
Right now though I also want a colour laser (for photos, creative projects), but I am in no hurry and will wait for a great special.
For Uni, I actually strongly recommend just a mono laser printer, just my opinion.
But, the one you posted is a good deal although the colour quality won't be as good as ink jets. I'm sure though you won't really need too much quality for uni. I say go with it.