Also known as a colour laser, if you're British.
We've been rocking a HP 4100N at my casa for the past 9 years or so. I bought it off of Craigslist for $50 I think. I've never replaced the toner cartridge, and the only problem I had was a memory card that went out and cost about $25 on eBay a few years ago. Lately, it's been wrinkling paper and smearing/lining when we print. I'm fairly confident that it was caused by the twins who love to open and shut all the panels making it wake up, and slamming things about.. it's also had a few paper jams. I'm guessing a $95 refurb kit with a fuser will solve the problem.
With some kids in school, color would be nice.
I've been out of the game for a while, so are there any old workhorses like the 4100N that I should be looking for? I'd rather buy used corporate than new consumer. Based on my past usage, consumable cost isn't a big deal, especially if I can get away with never buying anything :)
Thanks!
Lexmark is a pretty solid brand, this one sells for $800 new, on Craigslist near you for $125
https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/ele/d/poughkeepsie-small-business/6993482135.html
If you can get the budget to $300, this is a commercial printer that was $1800 2 years ago, new in the box with free shipping.
https://pcandl.stores.yahoo.net/kyecp522.html
that’ll last you 10 plus years like the last one
I do all of the printing for our Habitat for Humanity. We bought an HP LaserJet M553 which has worked very well for some fairly high volume printing. It's a couple of years old now, so you may be able to find a used one. I do not run HP supplies.
If you have had the 4100 for as long as you have and printed as little as you have, you might want to consider a higher end wireless ink jet. I got my bride an HP8600 with a scanner and have been feeding it generic cartridges from Amazon at about $15 a set - just picked cartridge sets that a lot of good reviews.
Every time I go looking for a printer I expect to get a laser and come home with an inkjet again. They do a good job, you have way more choice and they still end up cheaper for most users if you buy one with a good ink program.
Hey dear, I think you should visit markets because a lot of branded color printer is there. Recently, I also purchased [a canoe] and it is very perfect..
In reply to WonkoTheSane :
I’d throw a fuser kit in it, replace the feed tires, and keep it around another 5 or more years.
I have a Dell 1320c that I've had for 10(?) years and it's worked flawlessly. Only accessory I had to buy was a network card for it. Ink lasts a long time and new toner for it is still pretty cheap given how much it prints before needed replacement. I think I've replaced the black ink twice and the color ink one in those years. There were a few models around that time that you might find used. Looks like Dell resells other printers nowadays, although I'm sure mine is a rebranded something.
-Rob
Thanks for the input guys.
Inkjet is right out.. For the amount we use the laser, it probably would have cost us $500 in cartridges that would have been 98% unused. My hatred for inkjets burns with the passion of a thousand suns.
Good to know you've had good experiences with the equivalent HPs, CJ!
Steve - Thanks for those links! That Lexmark looks pretty good. I don't think I want to go all in on a new one, when I can find a bunch of HPs and such for half that on the list, but it's good to know that new isn't that expensive.
Pete - That's the conundrum... I know the printer would survive until the end of time with the maintenance kit, but color would be useful as we're getting into more school activities...
Rob - Yeah, Dell always seemed to private label decent equipment. I'll keep that in my watch list.
