Thanks to OP for this thread!
We were experiencing exactly the same problem as you - we had an HP 5180 all-in-one that I had bought around 2007-2008. Worked well, except for the ink problem.
Since we don’t print often, it would tell us that the ink was expired and needed to be replaced, even if we just wanted to print a simple B&W doc, and one of the color ink cartridges was expired, and the larger black ink was still good.
I wound up following y’all’s recommendation and getting a Brother b&w laser - the HLL2370DW.
Our criteria were:
- Apple AirPrint compatibility
- WiFi compatibility
- Long-lasting print capacity
This printer meets these requirements.
We shouldn’t have to replace the toner for a while, as estimated capacity is 700 pages. I bet we don’t go through 700 pages in years! And thanks to y’all, I know that toner is non-volatile, and won’t expire. Perfect for our needs!
Initial installation and software updates on my laptop was easy using the included CD-ROM. You can also download the software from their website.
It seems to work quickly and easily printing either through a computer, or from our iPhones.
I bought mine at Office Depot and they price-matched Best Buy, for $139.
I actually just realized tonight that Brother offers an all-in-one for only $10 more (HLL2390/2395), and if I had it to do over again, I’d go that route, even though we rarely use copy or scan function.
Thanks for the advice, guys, and Happy New Year!