So... I am looking for a new printer. I only have some basic piece of crap HP now, and it is a total pain to use really. It takes literally 10 minutes to print a page! So, basically what I NEED is something that prints in black quickly, that is reliable and not claiming there are errors frequently and refusing to print for no apparent reason. On my want list, if there is such a printer that would allow me to print directly onto bubble mailers that would be amazing as it would save me from having to buy labels. I don't need anything with 'fancy' features like wifi, bluetooth, faxing, scanning, integrated touchscreen, blah blah blah... though I wouldn't complain if it was network ready. USB connection, and drivers that don't insist on taking over my entire computer will do nicely. Basically I use it for doing mailings 99% with an odd document or something here and there. Also, I have a small budget, so am not looking for industrial grade stuff here. I'm just a little home hobby 'business' guy. TLDR, I want something that is affordable (ink/toner too!), reliable, that prints fast.
Sounds like you definitely want a laser printer. The extra cost/complexity of something that can print directly onto bubble mailers wouldn't be worth it, judging by the fact that even big Ebay/Amazon sellers still use labels. I really like my Samsung (ML-2580n). What I look for is a decent (250 sheets or more) enclosed (load and forget dust free) paper capacity, at least wired networking (it's just handy and neater) and running cost/initial outlay. Basically look for something that has decent reviews (either pro or user) and you can afford, then look up the running costs and weigh things up. Should cost maybe £50-100 depending on what you're looking for features wise. In my experience lasers are much quicker, more reliable and economical than inkjets.
Brother make a decent slew of small business printer products - and it may be that what you need isn't a printer but a label printer? No need to buy ink/toner, just the labels and a separate small inexpensive all in one scanner/photocopier/printer for your other office tasks...
If you don't mind the noise due to the loud fan, and 10min before sleep (so the fan spins for 10min after you print something). Then check out the Brother HL-2270DW. -> Super fast print (27ppm) -> Continuously fan print after the first page (thanks to the fan to cool off the system) -> Duplexer built-in (so it can flip the page to print double sided) -> Lots of memory. Has 32MB of memory -> Support 250 pages in a drawer -> Not huge -> Wireless G -> Ethernet 10/100 -> USB 2.0 -> Easy setup -> Web by printer IP advance printer settings and status. (so no weird app needs to be installed, just put the printer IP address (if its on network) and access the settings). -> Override mode for when the toner is empty -> The toner is ridiculously easy to open (has a plug that you remove) to fill it up with third party toner . Toner cartridges from third party is really cheap as well, and easy to find (at least in Canada) -> No chip counter on toner, so you can print until the last drop of toner powder. -> Packed with options, and maintenance features: a slider to clean the drum unit corona wire, reduce paper curl option, ghosting reduction option, density adjustment and toner saver. -> Light weight drivers It comes with a sample toner, which such, rated to print only 700pages, but I was able to reach a bit over 1100 pages with it with my usage, and shake the cartridge twice.
+1 for a laser printer. If you use duplex a lot, an integrated duplex unit would be great. I had a Konica-Minolta 1300W first, toner lasted 1500 pages, a new cartridge cost more than the printer itself, so i bought a generic-cartridge and had a really bad result afterwards. Maybe a professional refiller can get better results though. Now I've just bought a Ricoh Aficio SP 1210N (which is a rebranded Brother HL-2150) which is ridiculously cheap at the moment. (I've paid 38pounds on amazon germany) The toner probably won't last that long (~700pages?) but the entire thing is cheaper than a refill, and is network-capable (provided you've kept your updated allright) Turns on fairly quickly (way faster then the Konica) holds its paper internally, dust free.
Seems like some good suggestions. I will have to make some comparisons for best value. Do you know if these have any issues with half sheets for labels? I usually get the 21.5cmX14cm labels. I know some printers seem prone to jamming on smaller sheets. I considered getting one of those thermal label printers as it would be pretty ideal really, except I don't have a lot of space for things and those are not really suitable for documents. I don't really want to keep 2 printing devices around.
I don't know.. I never tried, or looked for such issue with my printer which I suggested. I saw no one complaining when I looked for reviews and user review for the unit about it.. at least I don't recall.
Certainly the A3 Brother all in one at "work" has no trouble with smaller page sizes, if memory serves it's happy down to A6... Ahh the joy of internet specifications Brother seem to post all the available print sizes, so the one at work is: "Sizes A3, A4, LGR, LTR, LGL, EXE, JISB4, JISB5, A5, A6, Photo(102x152mm/4x6"), Indexcard(127x203mm/5x8"), Photo-L(89x127mm/3.5x5"), Photo-2L(127x178mm/5x7"), Post Card 1(100x148mm/3.9x5.8"), Post Card 2 (Double)(148x200mm/5.8x7.8"), C5 Envelope, Com-10, DL Envelope, Monarch, JE4 Envelope" The "paper & handling" tab on the product details.
I ended up cheaping out and went for a Ricoh Aficio SP 100e since it was on sale for $45 with toner cartridge include. I kept putting it off, but could no longer as this morning I went office space on my old printer. It kept claiming there was some error and refused to function no matter what I tried. I could take no more.
I'm cheap I dont print labels as such just bits of paper then use clear tap over works quite well with the wide clear packing tape rolls and is a lot cheaper and doesn't turn black if package gets left in the sun.
I love laser printers, so much better for my usage needs thant he ink jet I have. I was sorry to have to get rid of my epson acculaser C900. It was awesome, only lacking in the duplex front. Sadly space and budget forced me to go inkjet when it died. If I could do over and had a little mopre space then I'd go for this Lexmark. It has colour, duplex and network support all in a compact laser printer. Plus is only just over £100 at ebuyer.
Finally arrived today. Seems pretty good except the paper loaded detection seems kind of fussy. Had a really hard time getting it to work on Win 8.1, absolutely refused to detect it when I had it plugged into my router print server port, seems it didn't like that I had it plugged in a usb3 port either for some reason when tried to install it locally. Very quick and crisp prints. Overall I guess I would recommend it for the money I paid.
