laser printers anyone?

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  • January 23, 2012 at 7:26 pm
    ibkim2
    Participant

    Our inkjet printer has bit the dust and we are needing a new one.  I’ll just be getting started with homeschool, but understand that if we invest in a laser printer, the printing cost should be much cheaper in the long run.  I’m planning on printing out the MEP lesson plans and questions each year, daily copywork pages, coloring sheets, and fun stuff for my preschooler.  I’m not planning to print long books because we are getting an e-reader on which I plan to download many of the books available for free. However, I may print some of the beginning readers available in the public domain.   

    So, is a laser printer worth the investment?  Are they long lasting?  Is there a high maintenence cost involved?  Do you have any brand names or price ranges to share with me?  My dh saw  a Brother brand laser printer available through Walmart for $150, but my past experience with Brother brand has not been good, but that has been years ago.  We only want to go this route if it really will pay off within a couple years of homeschooling, especially since the purchase will come from our saving account.  

    Have a blessed day,

    Kim

    January 23, 2012 at 7:32 pm
    suzukimom
    Participant

    I agree with the laser printer.  We have a color laser printer – the toner cartridges are expensive, but last us at least a year of fairly heavy use…. our ink jet the ink cartridges were a bit expensive but would only last a couple of months tops.  I’m not sure I would get a colour laser printer again – having a colour inkjet and an inexpensive B&W laser printer would probably be a better plan.

    But yes, if you are printing out MEP, I’d lean towards the laser printer.  There generally isn’t a high maintenence cost – just toner.  At some point the “drum” will need to be replaced – at that point it is generally more cost-effective to buy a new one.  But that is years down the road.

    We do well with hp brand.  Years ago I had an Okidata that worked for ages – not sure if they are still around.  

    hth some!

    January 24, 2012 at 1:41 am
    shelli
    Member

    Thought I would mention quickly that I do not recommend purchasing the brother laser printer.  Our (my husband and I) business is pertaining to cartridges and printers.  While a brother printer may seem like a good buy up front for the supplies end you need to purchase a toner AND a drum which can get costly.  I personally would recommend an HP laser printer and their cartridges can easily be found compatible which is a tremendous cost saver!

    HTH,

    Shelli

    January 24, 2012 at 2:26 am
    bradstreet
    Member

    I agree with Shelli on the benefits of an HP laser printer. We’ve only had two printers during the past 19 years…both HP B&W laser printers. They’ve been extremely reliable and cost effective for us. We only replaced the original one because of compatibility issues with a new computer…not because it was mechanically worn out.

    January 24, 2012 at 2:50 am
    Wings2fly
    Participant

    You might find more info. in this post from last year. We have our Brother still that I wrote of on this thread:

    http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/help-with-decision-for-a-new-printer

    January 24, 2012 at 4:17 am
    ibkim2
    Participant

    Thanks everybody, this information has been very helpful to dh and me.  After reading these responses and Sarah’s link we are settled on a laser printer vs. an inkjet.  Dh is going to look into the hp ones many of you have as well the ones from Sarah’s link.  

     

     

     

    January 24, 2012 at 6:36 pm
    mom2fourboys
    Participant

    I have to disagree about the Brother Laser Printer. I purchased my Brother laser printer a couple of years ago and it has been great. I do agree that the laser cartridges and drums can get expensive, however I purchase generic cartridges. I have had no problems with them. I found a reputable seller on Ebay and have purchased soley from them. My cartridge would cost $69 if I bought a Brother cartridge, but my generic one costs $21.95 on Ebay. The drum would cost around $120 from Brother but it cost me $49.95 on Ebay. It prints just like the Brother cartridge, and lasts just as long. I received a hint from a friend about making the laser cartridge last longer. The Brother printer has a sensor built in the cartridge to read the toner level. If you place a piece of black tape over the clear window on the cartridge it will last for at least 2,000 more pages because the sensor sees black and tell the printer that the toner is still full. It has saved me a lot of money. 

    Just my two cents about a Brother Printer. 

    Tammy

    January 24, 2012 at 8:17 pm
    Doug Smith
    Keymaster

    I agree with the cost saving of laser vs inkjet. It will cost you more in the beginning but you’ll save in the long run.

    You might also want to take a look at the Samsung printers. I picked one up a couple years ago because of the good balance of features for the price and I’ve been quite happy with it.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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