Google’s LLM got one critical fact wrong, of course. If you only need occasional color printing, an inkjet is still the wrong answer. The right answer is probably just to have Staples or your local print shop print for you, honestly. The ink dries out in disused inkjet machines and that’ll cause you no end of headaches. Or force you to buy a set of expensive cartridges just to print one damn page, because the last thing you printed was three months ago.
Color laser printers aren’t even that expensive anymore. Sure, a set of color toner cartridges may cost well north of what a set of inkjet cartridges would run you, but the difference is that the laser toner will probably last many home users a lifetime.
It’s also worth checking your local library which might offer some basic printing services. Could work out cheaper
Maybe I’m in the minority, but I like my EcoTank. I got it cause we print a decent amount of pictures and laser can’t do even passing quality photos. Having no cartridges to worry about is much less of a hassle than it used to be.
That said, laser is fine for most people.
Hey, I own that printer! It’s a good printer.
Remember kids, always buy laser, never inkjet.
Yup, I’ve had a previous model (HL-2170W) since like 2006. The nic is dying now, but the printer works fine.
Brother printers are the only brand anyone should buy.
Same, and the only maintenance I’ve ever needed for mine is putting paper in it
Hey, I had to change the toner in mine!.. once… after like a decade.
Bought one used several years ago for $75 and it’s still on the used starter toner.
Anyone have a recommendation for a small color laser printer? Like shoebox size.
My place is pretty small, and I don’t have much desk or shelf space. It doesn’t make sense for me to waste desk space on something that I use 1-3 times a year.
I’ve been using one of these tiny HPs. The ink is a fucking racket, and I’d love a laser alternative. This size is great. I can fold the trays and throw it in a drawer. It’s only 16 x 5.5 x 7in.
Edit: Found one. It the HP LaserJet Pro M15w
If you only need it 1-3 times/year, why not just go to your local library? In my area, it’s $0.10 for B&W, $0.25 for color, and I can get some books to read at the same time (I go almost weekly).
I’d agree with the exception of artists who sell their printed work (ex: photographers, graphic designers). They’re not only making money from their prints but also printing in color frequently enough that the cartridge doesn’t dry out.
All the photographers I know have a deal with a local professional printing service. It’s not just the higher printing quality, the service can also do bound albums, hard covers and other stuff that’s impossible on a home printer.
Sorry, the printer of the year is still the 2008 HP 4730mfp. Still going strong 16 years later!
Until HP figures out how to brick it remotely when your credit card expires.
All printers are bad and the Brother Printers are consistently the least bad.
My Brother was giving a toner end of life message and refusing to print.
I took the toner end cap off via two screws and reset the gear toggle, and now it prints again.
Cool story.
There’s a menu setting to turn that off
I did it, but eventually it didn’t. So I gave in and replaced the toner.
I got nearly 3k prints from the starter cartridge, so not bad. My replacement should get like 25k. Given that I had the original for ~8 years, I don’t think I’ll ever need a B&W printer ever again.
Same here. You need to reset the gear under the toner end cover.
Pop the end cover via two or three screws, then rotate the white gear back to 12 o’clock
Ah. I’ll try to remember that when my toner goes out again in like 10 years.
