need a new printer

I don't print much and got sick and tired of wanting to print something and finding out the ink had dried in the head. Too much fussing about trying to unclog them or tossing a cartridge with plenty of ink but not able to print so I bought a laser printer. It can sit 6 months and then print a perfect page first time.
 
I know you didn't ask about lasers but wanted to mention a couple of things you might not be aware of:

1. For black and white or text, a laser is a fraction of the cost of inkjet on a per-page basis.

2. For color, an LED "laser" is comparable to inkjet in cost and MUCH less trouble.

3. Brother sells B&W lasers for less than $150. I've had a 2270DW for several years now and it has been 100% dependable and cheap to use.

4. After waffling for a year or two, I bought a Brother HL-L3230CDW LED color laser for under $250 and so far it has lived up to the Brother reputation. The sticking point for me was the cost of consumables, but there are aftermarket sources at around the price point of ink.
 
The cost of ink jet cartridges is primarily from the print head that's part of the cartridge. There are printers that don't have the print head in the cartridge, and the cost of ink is much more affordable for those.

For years I used Epson printers, mainly because they don't have the print head in the ink cartridge. But my last Epson printer soured me on Epson: It was still working fine right up until it gave me an "end of service life" message, meaning I had to buy a new printer, even though there was nothing wrong with the one I had. I have to believe this "end of service life" nonsense has cost them a lot of customers.

For several years I've been using an H-P OfficeJet Pro 6978. The print head is not part of the ink cartridge. I only get the "XL" cartridges, and although they're not cheap they last a long time. It's an all-in-one with a sheet feeder, does duplex printing and scanning, and can handle legal size paper.
 
I have the HP 6978 also, just bought new HP ink color cartridges for $23 each of three colors, the black is larger and a little more expensive. I have tried the refilled inks, but had poor results. I like two sided printing to save paper, and the scan feature has proven very useful. Amazon has them new for $319.
 
> I have the HP 6978 also... Amazon has them new for $319.

That printer is on sale for 90 bucks at <a href="https://www.staples.com/HP-OfficeJet-Pro-6978-All-in-One-Inkjet-Printer/product_2256786">Staples</a>.

Also, the $319 printer on Amazon is USED!
 
I'll have another vote for a laser printer. We ditched the ink jet money pit years ago and never looked back.
Do you absolutely need to print color? If not, go with a B&W laser and your costs go way down.
Even a color laser is cheaper, in the long run, than an ink jet.
 
If you shop Costco and Sams Club, Office Depot, Staples, Amazon etc etc etc Laser printers are getting CHEAP however if you buy replacement ink cartridges they might cost as much a you paid for the printer grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr I've had good luck buying replacement ink on Flea Bay. I prefer the ALL IN ONE flat top printers that have the scan and scan and copy feature. I like so you can you can use paper or envelopes etc to print on...........Ive had Canon and Epson and HP, currently satisfied with my HP Desk Jet 2652 Print Scan Copy.

John T
 
Could I put in a word for a printer/scanner here? In todays world,having a scanner too is almost a necessity if you do much of anything online. We can't even apply for state gas tax refund here in Michigan anymore without a scanner or a smart phone to take pictures of receipts. It's been a while now, but we got a Canon printer/scanner at Wally World for about $40. A lot of machine there for the money.
 
go to laser printer, did that in my business couple years back, no comparison on print capacity. have 3 hp units. black white
 
Canon MP560 is what we have.
Not reloadable but cheap as dirt to keep running.
Just bought 3 sets of generic ink cartridges for it off ebay $20 total including shipping. (15 cartridges)
They come with a new chip in them and have worked perfect every time.

Probably an obsolete model by now but if you do some searching Canon still makes printers that take the PGI-220 CLI-221 ink sets.

Seems most companies do their best to build machines that will only work with their overpriced ink, many if you refill them the chip in them won't let you use it once it has decided the cartridge is supposed to be empty.
Finding one you can get generic ink cartridges for would be my first priority.
 
Laser Printers can be left unused for weeks without "drying up" To me that is the deal breaker with inkjet. The second is cleaning print heads is squirting ink into a "black Hole" wasting massive amounts. I just purchased a Xerox Work Center 6027ni It uses tanks of toner that are changed with no disassembly. It has expensive toner, but makes thousands of copies per fill and has 1600dpi horiz and vert. That is dramatic resolution. Multi function as well. Jim
 
H-P envy 5540 at my shop print scan and internet ready can send info from phone to printer or pull up from internet tricolor cartridge is only 20 bucks just my suggestion
Staples has i good selection of printers and if you get a good tech there they will steer you to the right printer for your usage Good luck !
 
you have all been very helpful! i will be balancing what my needs are against advice i've been given! thanks again!
 
We have a Brother laser printer capable of printing both color & Blank and White but we only buy B & W replacement toner cartridges. All cartridges are expensive enough but B & W prices are much cheaper. We don't need color anyway.
 

We would never ever consider an ink printer again . We have a Brother scanner combination colour laser printer and are much pleased with it .
 
Any time that I buy a printer, laser or ink based, I first look for the general specs that I'm after, second for the possible models, I look at the reviews, lastly I look to ensure low cost third party toner or ink is available. Those three criteria must all match before I would seriously consider that model of printer.
 
No matter what you choose to go with I would suggest that you take a look at LD Products for replacement ink/toner.

I started buying from them 15 years ago and they are now the single source for both home and our business needs. Great quality and pricing that shows how absurd the OEM ink is.

There's always some sort coupon deal if you get their email notices.
LD Products
 
Another vote here for laser. We have a big copier/printer/scanner here that will do everything but brush your teeth, but we keep a Brother laser for backup. Gave up on inkjet 25 years ago and before office needs demanded a serious copier/printer we had all manner of small lasers and found Brother better than most at a reasonable price point.
Jim
 

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