Ink Jet v Laser Printers (for the home)

[Stella]

I'm conflicted.


I've had several HP all-in-one ink jets.  Not a big fan of HP since this particular product seems to die rapidly, customer service is mediocre, and in general, the ink dries out if not used and the ink does smudge - even after it's fully dry.

Laser cartridges are pricey to replace.

Big box retailer customer service says more and more people are going to ink jets.

Besides general print and scan functions, I want to be able to print pretty pictures for framing (like the dimby pony).   


What are the pros and cons & general opinions of ink v laser?    Gracias, oh wise ones of the DMF.   

[ducpainter]

Laser is cheaper if you do a lot of volume printing.

HP printers suck.

[derby]

Laser cartridges are pricey to replace.

Laser is cheaper if you do a lot of volume printing.

yup... toner carts seem more expensive, but you need to be comparing cost per page.

[ducatiz]

What are you printing?

If you are printing a lot of photos, buy a photo printer and use the manufacturer's own paper. 

if you just want general printing your world is open.

usually the problem with ink smudging I've found is that people use cheap paper.  use a heavier bond of paper. 

if you print a photo onto regular paper it will smudge due to the volume of the ink being sprayed.

we have a canon photo printer and it works beautifully.  90% of the printing I do with my HP officejet is "draft" quality text, so no smudging ever and I use 98lb bond paper.  never had much of a problem with it, it's 6 years old.

[Stella]

I don't currently print significant quantities of anything - partially due to a failing HP but would like to, and will, print more.  "More" estimated at being still very low quantities - 50 sheets/month max - all personal use.

With a background that includes print ad work, I understand paper.


Just looking for who has what type of printer, likes, dislikes, etc.

Is it true that the ink jet trend is getting stronger?

[ducatiz]

I don't currently print significant quantities of anything - partially due to a failing HP but would like to, and will, print more.  "More" estimated at being still very low quantities - 50 sheets/month max - all personal use.

With a background that includes print ad work, I understand paper.


Just looking for who has what type of printer, likes, dislikes, etc.

Is it true that the ink jet trend is getting stronger?

Its definitely true, just look up the term "giclee" ... Artists are selling prints using "giclee"... what is it?  a high quality ink jet.  They just don't want to call it "ink jet" so they made up a word for it.

[JEFF_H]

as someone who also prints infrequently at home...the ink drying up from not being used is a PITA
laser always works, always ready...no head-cleaning, etc

the big box retailer probably suggests inkjet because they make a lot of money selling ink cartridges.

[Stella]

as someone who also prints infrequently at home...the ink drying up from not being used is a PITA
laser always works, always ready...no head-cleaning, etc

the big box retailer probably suggests inkjet because they make a lot of money selling ink cartridges.

What brand do you have?  Is it multi or single function?

Thnx!

[herm]

HP laser jet 1022 here. several years old at this point.

bomb proof! hands down the best B/W printer i have ever paid for myself.

for anything larger than 4x6, i have always preferred the Epson products for printing pictures.

[MendoDave]

Xerox Phaser 6130 Net work ready color laser printer. I would like to have a multi function but other than that this printer is the Bomb compared to all the other inkjets I've had over the years. Ive had it about 3 years now. About 9 months ago I finally changed the black toner (with an extra one that came with the printer)



It can be a little fussy getting the IP address set up for it but after that it just sits back there in the back room and prints for me when I ask it to. The color prints are passable photo quality.

The 6130 has been replaced with the 6500 and goes for about $350.

[zooom]

if you want to be truly cost effective...go dot matrix!!!

[MendoDave]

The cost savings on a nearly free (or even somebody paying you to take it away) dot matrix printer is offset by the high cost of rare and expensive USB to Parallel printer cables. 

[He Man]

Im going laser next, the amount of dried ink cartridges is riduculous. you spend so much on repalcing it and getting no use out of it.

[Speedbag]

I have a cheap POS Brother B/W laser in my home office, and it rocks. I've had it at least two years. Pretty sure it's still on the original toner cartridge; when the toner light comes on I pull the cartridge, beat it around on the desktop a little, pop it back in and off we go for a couple more months.

Based on previous experience with inkjets, I'll never buy another one.....

[Punx Clever]

I like laser.  Cost per page is cheaper, doesn't smudge (no ink to smudge), they are faster, you can stock pile an extra toner cartridge and it wont go bad...

I have a brother B/W laser printer... connects via my houses wi-fi.  Only a power cable, any computer can use it, no fuss no muss.  It's not color, and it's not multi-function.  But I highly recommend Brother