My 10 year old HP deskjet 560c inkjet printer finally crapped out. I'd like to buy a cheap laser printer. Any suggestions? Would like to spend less than $300, also I don't want one that requires frequent costly toner cartridges. This seems the trend with injets, practically give them away, but equip them with tiny cartridges that cost an arm & a leg to replace. At least with these you can refill them (the ones which don't "expire"), don't know if this is the case with toner carts? Only need mono, text most important. That and a BIG toner cartridge! ;-)

TIA

Dan

Dan,
I would visit some of the sites where you get comparison reviews such as Cnet.com and determine for yourself what you consider affordable.
Another place is :rolleyes:epinions (http://www.epinions.com/cmhd-Printers-All-Laser_LED)

Toner sales is how printer companies make their money, there are some who charge quite a lot and there are some who charge more.
:rolleyes:

Thanks for the reply. I've looked at the sites like epinions, always hard to tell how "authoratative" those opinions are. I'm leaning toward the Brother HL-5140, sells for about $230 & has gotten pretty good reviews for text printing on PC Mag (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1608017,00.asp) and ZDNET Australia (http://www.zdnet.com.au/reviews/hardware/printersscanners/0,39023422,39116510,00.htm) My only reservation is it gets only fair ratings for graphics. Not all that important for me at the moment but all things being equal I'd naturally prefer both good text & good graphics. A 6700 page toner cartridge for this printer sells for $50 - $75, which seems reasonable & is way cheaper than ink carts (unless you refill, which is what I always did).

If anyone has any other thoughts I'd like to hear them.

Dan

Dan,
I always look at the feedback comments as well the site opinions themselves, it can be revealing (sometimes). I only use these types of sites as a starting point.
More here will comment I am sure.

While your Out looking
Check out the HP lazerjet 1012

$200

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rick
[B]While your Out looking...

I don't use Outlook, I'm more of a Thunderbird man :D

Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out!

Dan

Without a doubt, the Lexmark Laser printers are the best on the market today. With toner cartridges that last either 10,000 or 25,000 copies. The trouble is, they are out of your price range. I have a Lewxmark T-612 and it is awesome.

I would look at: URL=http://shopper.cnet.com/HP_LaserJet_1150_printer/4014-3155_9-30430321.html?tag=pl]This[/URL] and check out the comparisons. There will be something that matched your needs and price range.

My only comment is that I have used a HP LaserJet 4L for the past 10 years without a bother - lots of use and still going strong. They are in the region of $200-250 nowadays I believe. The toner seems to last for ever (well for ages and ages).

Might be worth considering...

I purchased a HP Laserjet 5 about a year and a half ago...$150.00 used! I picked it up from Data Sales who lease to major players like American Express etc...

The page count was acceptable, and it has continued without a hitch...they are workhorses...

In fact, I just picked up a HP 4500 color laser printer for $500 with a duplexer and 500 sheet 3rd tray to print up some brochures that Kinko's wanted nearly a buck a page (both sides) to do 1000 of them...

I printed 2000 and have a color laser now in my arsenal for a fraction of the cost...

Corporate workhorses they be...Dave has been great to work with...http://members.ebay.com/ws2/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=wildinmn

Thanks for the replies, I finally did buy the Brother HL-5140. Seems to fit my needs & not too expensive @$229.

Dan