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    Info on cost per page for printers?

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by jonnybardo, Jan 6, 2010.

  1. jonnybardo

    jonnybardo Notebook Consultant

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    Does anyone know of a source for info about cost per page for printers?

    I'd also love recommendations for specific printers that meet my needs.
    Basically, as I said in another thread, I'm looking for the most economical color printer--either ink or laser--for under $200. I will mainly be printing b&w text, but I'd like the option for color.

    Thanks!
     
    jonnybardo, Jan 6, 2010
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  2. mystery905

    mystery905 Notebook Deity

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    I think colour lasers are too expensive to maintain.

    I have a Brother b&w laser AIO and also a Kodak inkjet for when I need colour--the best of both worlds. Both printers have low cartridge replacement and operating cost.
     
    mystery905, Jan 6, 2010
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  3. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Try review pages and sites that do comparisons.
    (Stiftung Warentest - a German "agency" that does testing used to list this)

    Under 200$ you're possibly best off with ink.

    If you were to print a lot of images, A4 etc. I can imagine a colour laser printer to be cheaper to run - but the good ones are quite expensive and rather large.

    Colour inkjet printers:
    Basic rule - a cheap printer has expensive ink.

    I think LeXmark is known for cheap printers but their ink is rather costly...

    Else...
    No name ink is cheaper but doesn't give the same colour quality - may be important to you for things like photos...
     
    DetlevCM, Jan 6, 2010
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  4. paper_wastage

    paper_wastage Beat this 7x7x7 Cube

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    laser b&w printers are the cheapest...

    (i have the refurb Brother HL2140 from Staples... costed me $30 after rebate, printed close to 2000 sheets on the starter toner, got a 3rd party extended toner replacement rated at 2800 sheets for $17.... paper free after rebate from staples... i estimate around 1 cent per page until the drum head needs replacing).....

    if i need color, i'd go to the library (or kinkos) to print.... inkjet isn't worth it anymore... unless you can get one that uses the cheapest black ink(HP88)... but my last inkjet printer required me to print frequently to prevent the heads from clogging.... no such problems whatsoever with the laser printer... you'll get used to not printing in color, unless you print a lot of photographs...
     
    paper_wastage, Jan 7, 2010
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  5. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Or graphs ;)
    Part of the clogging problem is caused by cold I think.

    Our Canon has cartridges that come at 3€ a piece or something like that... "cheapo ink" to save money - and yes, we had some clogging - but that's if it isn't used for months... and in a very cold room.

    Its over 5 years old now :) good little thing :)
     
    DetlevCM, Jan 7, 2010
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