Low usage printer recommendation

[kriskexplorer]

Wasn't sure where to post this since it's not related to photo printing.

Anyway I need to replace a B/W Inkjet printer with a new one. What is the most economical way to do this?

Here is what I am looking for:
1. I would prefer to print only in black.
2. There will be times nothing is printed for a month at a time.
3. Cheap Ink or Toner.

Question:
1. Is there an inkjet printer that will print black only and won't stop printing if the color cartridge is empty or not installed? I have read that some inkjet's use alittle color when printing black only.

2. What brand of inkjet printers can print after sitting for a month? My experience is HP and Epson get clogged up. I've heard Brother and Canon doesn't have this problem.

3. If I go with a laser printer, can it sit a month without printing? Does this affect the toner's life?

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks for the help.

[Jason_Hoss]

I would recommend a toner based printer compared to an inkjet. The main issue I think you'll run into with an inkjet is that the ink would clog the heads due to low utilization. Where a toner based printer will have less issues overall with infrequent use. Toner has a wonderful shelf life in or out of the printer (its mainly carbon).

[kriskexplorer]

That's kind of what I was thinking. Any brand better then the other?

[Jason_Hoss]

Offhand, I love canon and xerox toner based printers. I also have a dell all-in-one copier/ fax/ printer (toner based) and it has worked well for my business. When buying the printer look at the replacement cost of the toner as well as page counts. By page counts I mean how many pages will the cartridge print at roughly 5% page coverage (5% page coverage is your typical fax/ word document). I assume that you plan on using this printer for invoices and what not.

[ChrisPerry]

I've had really bad luck with epson inkjets clogging from sitting around (even for 3 days) so avoid them like the taliban.

I have a canon ip4300 that i got to print one thing last summer and it sat, unused and off, since then till about 3 weeks ago and it printed flawlessly. It duplexes too and cost a whole $60. I beleive the ink is pretty cheap too - I've printed 80 to 100 8 1/2x11 full color pages and the driver still says the ink is full on all the cartriges - best results of any inkjet printer i've ever had (and i've had about 8).

As to lasers, i've only owned 2 and still have both. HP laserjet 4p from around 1994 - works like a champ even when it sites for months on end. and it's got generic toner in it these days.

My newest laser is a samsung color w/ duplexing and I love it. It's not photo quality but that's not why I got it. It was $399 2+ years ago and it's a champ. Duplexing is awesome and it's drivers offer lots of useful features that actually work.

[DougAxford]

If you're sure that you don't need color, I would stay with a B&W laser, higher in price to buy than ink, but much more reliable. I would also agree that you should look at an all-in-one because there are occasions when a good fax or copier is well worth it. I use mine for copying Bridal contracts so they have an exact copy. Personally, I still like HP, even though my main printer now is a Dell. I have a 20 year old HP that never died, just could not get toner carts for it anymore.

Toner is far cheaper in the long run than ink and you'll never have a problem with nozzles. Be wary of inkjet all-in-ones. I had two and when they ran out of yellow, it refused to print faxes. They go through a cleaning cycle every day and that's how the color ran out. I took both back and got a refund and was told that is the way they are designed - not to work when one ink runs out and they are designed to use up ink when you don't use it. OMG how stupid !!

Doug

[kriskexplorer]

Thanks all for the info. I will be going the laser route. It sounds like exactly what I need for the little amount of documents I print. I've been through a couple of color inkjets and all of the issues are ink related(cost to much, clogs up, dries out, can't print withan empty cartridge). Any good multi-function around the $200 range?

Thanks.
Kris

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