The kids are out of school and I am retired, so my printer gets very little use now. The brother inkjet apparently has clogged nozzles because it prints in streaks, anyway I am done with it. What is the better type for my occasional use; it may sit idle for a month then print a couple pages then sit some more. Would a laser printer be better than an inkjet? Cost is not a big consideration, I just want it to work when I want to print something. I suspect my clogged ink head is due to not using it enough, but I really don't know much about them.
Best printer type for occasional use
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Get an inexpensive laser printer. I have an older version of this Brother laser printer and it works great, even after 3 years. Toner is quite cheap too.
Mind you, this one is monochrome. If you need color, then a color laser printer will definitely be more expensive, but still is worth it.
Mind you, this one is monochrome. If you need color, then a color laser printer will definitely be more expensive, but still is worth it.
Your suspicions are probably correct. As mentioned, a basic monochrome laser printer (assuming you don't need colour) will do the trick. I print some at home, more at the office, and my home one is an old bare bones HP the I got for around $100. I've had it for years, and only put in one toner cartridge since the original one. That is one thing to watch - ensure the toner cartridge isn't astronomically expensive.
I was self employed, and used a HP 4200 Laser Jet. I think it cost about $650 back in 2003. It served me well, never broke, and when I retired, I kept it.
I now use it exactly as you describe, and it has never let me down.
I now use it exactly as you describe, and it has never let me down.
You bent on replacing it? Clogged nozzles are an easy fix
Yep, done with clogged nozzles. It is going bye bye.
No, do not need color, but do want a multi-function unit (copy, scan, print)
A laser unit won't clog with occasional use and is much better than inkjet in general- better print quality, less cost / pg., etc.
Inkjet is often superior for photo printing, but if you just want a good general purpose printer that won't clog, you want a laser. I would get a color, only because the capability is there if you ever need it, and the cost is only marginally higher than a monochrome unit. One downside is you have several expensive toner cartridges to replace, however they last a LONG time, depending on your usage.
I bought my Samsung CLP-325 for less than $200 (may have been a Black Friday deal) a few years ago. I've never changed the starter cartridges in it and it's still printing flawlessly. I too, seldom print, and the printer is always ready to go when I need it. CLX-3305FW is a similar printer to my CLP-325 but with the multifunction stuff you want. My mom bought one for about $350 around the same time I purchased mine. Not sure if either model is still available, but if not, Samsung should have new models out with similar features.
Inkjet is often superior for photo printing, but if you just want a good general purpose printer that won't clog, you want a laser. I would get a color, only because the capability is there if you ever need it, and the cost is only marginally higher than a monochrome unit. One downside is you have several expensive toner cartridges to replace, however they last a LONG time, depending on your usage.
I bought my Samsung CLP-325 for less than $200 (may have been a Black Friday deal) a few years ago. I've never changed the starter cartridges in it and it's still printing flawlessly. I too, seldom print, and the printer is always ready to go when I need it. CLX-3305FW is a similar printer to my CLP-325 but with the multifunction stuff you want. My mom bought one for about $350 around the same time I purchased mine. Not sure if either model is still available, but if not, Samsung should have new models out with similar features.
Originally Posted by another Todd
No, do not need color, but do want a multi-function unit (copy, scan, print)
I just bought a Brother MFC laser and have been super happy with it. The no-name toners from Staples work great in it and aren't expensive. I got a colour one but had a non-colour one previously that I wore out after 10 years of a lot of printing.
No, do not need color, but do want a multi-function unit (copy, scan, print)
I just bought a Brother MFC laser and have been super happy with it. The no-name toners from Staples work great in it and aren't expensive. I got a colour one but had a non-colour one previously that I wore out after 10 years of a lot of printing.
My pops has a brother 5895CW for the last 8 maybe 9 years. Sees a similar use case so what you're describing - print once maybe twice a month. Hasn't missed a beat, hasn't had any issues with clogged nozzles or anything. The clean function has yet to be used.
Take a cruise through their lineup and see if they have something equivalent in black and white
Take a cruise through their lineup and see if they have something equivalent in black and white
My 15 year old HP multifunction is still going strong.
I bought a new Xerox MFP last Christmas time. 99 bucks was a steal from Office Depot website. Wireless, scan to whatever, really nice prints.
A cheap laser is what you want for occasional use.
I bought a new Xerox MFP last Christmas time. 99 bucks was a steal from Office Depot website. Wireless, scan to whatever, really nice prints.
A cheap laser is what you want for occasional use.
Yup, a laser is the way to go. I go months of not printing something, and same as you, got tired of clogged jets or dried out cartridges (costing $15-40 each).
I spent $110 for a Dell E525w (color AIO) about 3 years ago and love it. Have yet to replace a toner cartridge (a set of 4 (black and 3 color) generic toner is $25), and prints what I want when I want, no worrying about if it will work or not.
My brother in law will not listen to me, he keeps buying these cheap $50-60 inkjet printers, and after a year, is either buying more ink due to clogged jet or dried ink (for more than the cost of the printer) or just buys another inkjet.
I spent $110 for a Dell E525w (color AIO) about 3 years ago and love it. Have yet to replace a toner cartridge (a set of 4 (black and 3 color) generic toner is $25), and prints what I want when I want, no worrying about if it will work or not.
My brother in law will not listen to me, he keeps buying these cheap $50-60 inkjet printers, and after a year, is either buying more ink due to clogged jet or dried ink (for more than the cost of the printer) or just buys another inkjet.
I ended up with a Brother HL-L2395DW laser. It's not color, but will scan and copy. Shuts itself off after a few hours of non use which is fine because when I turn it on it's printing within seconds. Love it, very fast, scans nice, no issues.
Brother has really good printers. Excellent choice.
Originally Posted by another Todd
Yep, done with clogged nozzles. It is going bye bye.
Then you have the answer to your question, you answered it yourself.
Your only option is a laser printer.
BTW I have no issues at all with my Brother Inkjet MFC-6490CFW, been computing for decades now, its my first Brother, had all the other brands, never had a printer for this long, never clogs and sits idle for weeks at a time now. Fantastic machine.
Yep, done with clogged nozzles. It is going bye bye.
Then you have the answer to your question, you answered it yourself.
Your only option is a laser printer.
BTW I have no issues at all with my Brother Inkjet MFC-6490CFW, been computing for decades now, its my first Brother, had all the other brands, never had a printer for this long, never clogs and sits idle for weeks at a time now. Fantastic machine.
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