Need a new printer - cheap, mono laser

masraum · 09-09-2020, 08:59 AM

Our printer is dying. It's an old HP color laserjet. I think it's 10 years old.

We are looking for a simple, cheap black and white laser printer that supports duplex printing and wifi. We don't print nearly as much as we used to (may go months without printing anything), so small and inexpensive should fit the bill. Most of the big brands have models that fit, Brother, HP, Lexmark, Xerox that run $100-200.

What I'm trying to figure out is if there are any brands that we should avoid or any brands that are currently standing out as especially reliable.

stevej37 · 09-09-2020, 09:08 AM

I bought a Canon laser earlier this spring. Works great with wi-fi and it was only $95 at walmart.
The cartridge that it comes with is stated as a 'trial cartridge'....it lasted 6 months and is now needing replacement.
A new cartridge is $80 at walmart...thinking of what to do..buy the cartridge or a new printer?

Roswell · 09-09-2020, 09:13 AM

The duplex printing is an expensive option. I have had positive experiences with HP products, they seem to last forever...

javadog · 09-09-2020, 09:14 AM

A while back, when I was on the phone with a Canon rep, *****ing about how my Canon printer seemingly consumed ink 24/7, even if i didn't use it, he recommended an HP printer that was about $100. Can't remember the model, I'd like to figure it out so I could buy one. Not going to buy another drop of ink for this Canon POS.

stevej37 · 09-09-2020, 09:16 AM

^^^ Ink jet? He's looking for a laser printer.

masraum · 09-09-2020, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog

A while back, when I was on the phone with a Canon rep, *****ing about how my Canon printer seemingly consumed ink 24/7, even if i didn't use it, he recommended an HP printer that was about $100. Can't remember the model, I'd like to figure it out so I could buy one. Not going to buy another drop of ink for this Canon POS.

Right, many, many years ago (20-25) we had an inkjet printer or two. We then went through 2 color laser printers that were both HP and lasted a long time, but both were larger and more like a small office printer. We're now looking for something much smaller. I suspect this sort of thing won't last as long, but if instead of 10+ years, it only lasts a few years, the price difference will probably mean that we'll come out about the same.

masraum · 09-09-2020, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roswell

The duplex printing is an expensive option. I have had positive experiences with HP products, they seem to last forever...

It's not actually. These days, it's almost standard. There are multiple printers in the $100-200 range that include duplex printing, including several at the bottom of the range.

If no one has anything specific, then I'll probably get another HP.

legion · 09-09-2020, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roswell

The duplex printing is an expensive option. I have had positive experiences with HP products, they seem to last forever...

This. I bought a monochrome laser printer from HP 10 years ago. I'm on my third toner cartridge (we don't do a ton of printing). Our problem with the Ink Jets is we would frequently go a couple of months without printing anything and the print heads would dry up. I got sick of paying $80 for two new cartridges every time I wanted to print something.

Find the printer that works for you. It looks like Brother has some inexpensive duplex printers. I have no experience with them.

masraum · 09-09-2020, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevej37

I bought a Canon laser earlier this spring. Works great with wi-fi and it was only $95 at walmart.
The cartridge that it comes with is stated as a 'trial cartridge'....it lasted 6 months and is now needing replacement.
A new cartridge is $80 at walmart...thinking of what to do..buy the cartridge or a new printer?

Yeah, I've noticed that most seem to be coming with those "introductory" cartridges. I think they are supposed to print 1500 sheets from one of those. I think that'd last us years as much as we print these days.

Another thing that I like is the ability to keep printing after the printer thinks it's out of toner.

javadog · 09-09-2020, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^ Ink jet? He's looking for a laser printer.

I'm looking for a laser printer, too.

Any idea which $100 HP laser printer the Canon rep advised me to buy?

stevej37 · 09-09-2020, 09:35 AM

My Canon MF 232 will spit out a full page of b&w print in less than a quarter of the time that my ink-jet took.
Very happy with it...just don't care for the cartridge replacement costs.

masraum · 09-09-2020, 09:53 AM

HP wifi, duplex $128
https://www.amazon.com/HP-Laserjet-Monochrome-Two-Sided-4PA39A/dp/B07HB6NPP4/

HP wifi, duplex $168
https://www.amazon.com/HP-LaserJet-Wireless-Replenishment-G3Q47A/dp/B01M1SPL20/

HP wifi $119
https://www.amazon.com/HP-Laserjet-M102w-Wireless-Replenishment/dp/B01LBWELIW/

masraum · 09-09-2020, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevej37

My Canon MF 232 will spit out a full page of b&w print in less than a quarter of the time that my ink-jet took.
Very happy with it...just don't care for the cartridge replacement costs.

Toner cartridges are never cheap for sure.

legion · 09-09-2020, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

Toner cartridges are never cheap for sure.

True, but they also don't really expire either. The printer can sit unused for years if need be.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Brother HL-L2300D - $99 on Amazon. I bought this one for my father. He prints a few dozen sheets a year. He is on his second cartridge.

Cajundaddy · Cajundaddy's Garage

These have been reliable workhorses for both home and office. 3000 page toner cart. duplex, prints from mobile devices or PC/laptop.

https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Monochrome-HL-L2350DW-Two-Sided-Replenishment-dp-B0763WDSYZ/dp/B0763WDSYZ/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

dad911 · 09-09-2020, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

Toner cartridges are never cheap for sure.

Brother here too. clone cartridges less than $10 on amazon.

Shop the cartridges, not the printer.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

How about $69? "Renewed"

https://amazon.com/Brother-RHL-L2300D-Monochrome-Printer-Printing/dp/B083MYW72S/

masraum · 09-09-2020, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-beard

Brother HL-L2300D - $99 on Amazon. I bought this one for my father. He prints a few dozen sheets a year. He is on his second cartridge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

These have been reliable workhorses for both home and office. 3000 page toner cart. duplex, prints from mobile devices or PC/laptop.

https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Monochrome-HL-L2350DW-Two-Sided-Replenishment-dp-B0763WDSYZ/dp/B0763WDSYZ/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

perfect, and the DW has wifi.

Heel n Toe · 01:01 PM

HP here... LaserJet P1102w... don't remember how much it cost, but it was around $100 IIRC.

We don't print much either and ours has been trouble free. It does duplex but we never use that. Have been through the cartridge that came with it and 2 more (both were Cartridge World refill/exchange).

ebay and/or Amazon has refilled cartridges available at a very reasonable cost.

EDIT: Weird, I certainly don't remember it being more than $100... just saw this refurbed one on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/HP-LaserJet-P1102w-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B07H74BDBS/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=HP+LaserJet+P1102w&qid=1599685154&sr=8-7