Printers

James · Mar 28, 2024

Wasn't sure whether to put this here or in the Devices and Drivers section, but it isn't a query more just a discussion so I decided here is probably best..:

Printers are either cheap and last a couple of years, or expensive and commercial. Anyone got any household budget (sub £250/US$300ish) laser printers that have worked well for them for more than a few years? Not in the market for one, just wondering?

antspants · Mar 28, 2024

The Brother HL2270DW Mono series printer that I have had since 2012 and the thing refuses to die.
I use 3rd party cartridges and drums from a reputable supply company and it doesn’t care. It pumps out so many documents, would have to be in the tens of 1000’s over time, would be more probably over the past 14 years, no joke, especially my wife's printing books and legal/work documents all the time. ~~In fact I believe you might be able to still get them.~~ I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the next model HL or HLDW’s series if I needed to.
Got it for $150 because of other purchases I made at the time. If you’re after colour I can’t help you, our colour laser was really expensive.

I’ve always recommended Brother Lasers.

Forgot to mention. Windows 11 still recognises the printer and offers a drive package or to manage it for you.

Wisewiz · Mar 28, 2024

An upvote for @antspants’ opinion on Brother lasers. Mine have been workhorses and durable. My late Samsungs, not so much. The Brother developers are in close and direct competition with the Samsung folks, and I think the opinions widely expressed on the Net confirm that Brother is out in front and winning.

James · Mar 29, 2024

antspants said:
The Brother HL2270DW Mono series printer that I have had since 2012 and the thing refuses to die.
I use 3rd party cartridges and drums from a reputable supply company and it doesn’t care. It pumps out so many documents, would have to be in the tens of 1000’s over time, would be more probably over the past 14 years, no joke, especially my wife's printing books and legal/work documents all the time. ~~In fact I believe you might be able to still get them.~~ I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the next model HL or HLDW’s series if I needed to.
Got it for $150 because of other purchases I made at the time. If you’re after colour I can’t help you, our colour laser was really expensive.

I’ve always recommended Brother Lasers.

Forgot to mention. Windows 11 still recognises the printer and offers a drive package or to manage it for you.

I had a look & you can get similar printers to yours refurbished around £100/US$125/AU$190 or the newer models for around £200/US$250/AU$390. If they last as long as your one I think this is a good deal.

antspants · Mar 29, 2024

James said:
I had a look & you can get similar printers to yours refurbished around £100/US$125/AU$190 or the newer models for around £200/US$250/AU$390. If they last as long as your one I think this is a good deal.

I seen some refurbished also. But I would say if it’s in your budget to get a new one, don’t buy someone else's problems. Or are they refurbished from Brother?
And Gospel, I’ve had mine since 2012. Wireless, USB or Ethernet.
The best part is, when I found the reputable 3rd party refills, I was really happy.

Wisewiz · Mar 29, 2024

antspants said:
The best part is, when I found the reputable 3rd party refills, I was really happy.

Of course you were. You had found a way to beat the commercial game. Ever since the first inkjets, the printer manufactureres have been MUCH LESS in the printer business than in the ink/refills business. Gillette said, "Give 'em the razor; sell 'em the blades."

antspants · Mar 29, 2024

I’ve never had any success with 3rd party Inkjet printer refills, just these Toner refills I get.
In my experience, Canon Inkjets HATE 3rd party compatible replacement ink.

James · Mar 31, 2024

antspants said:
Wireless, USB or Ethernet

Wow, wireless was still fairly sophisticated for printers in 2012 so I am surprised to hear yours has it.

antspants said:
But I would say if it’s in your budget to get a new one, don’t buy someone else's problems

Absolutely, I always think if it is such a good product - why did they get rid of it..

James · Mar 31, 2024

antspants said:
Canon Inkjets HATE 3rd party compatible replacement ink.

Yes, my canon ink cartridges have chips on them which detect whether they are real. These sub £50 printers often cost double that a year to buy the official ink if you do a reasonable amount of printing.