Based on over 20 years of personal experience (I owned the earliest Apple Laser Writer too), I think that in general, laser printers are more long lasting than inkjets. Ten years ago, I got an AIO inkjet from HP. It die after about three months of use. It also suffered from problems with print heads. What is your experience?
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Are laser printers more long lasting than inkjets?
- Thread starter hajime
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I hate the new ink jets. They migrated towards non user replaceable printheads. You don't print often or you use third party refill kits, and your printheads are ruined. And you have to throw the printer away
It was better in the old days when Hewlett-Packard would sell you a brand new printhead with every cartridge. They used to say back then that you could refill those cartridges 3 times before ruining the printhead. Now you only get one printhead for the life of the printer and when its shot, its shot.
The printers even run automated cleaning cycles that waste ink to keep that printhead alive
It makes no sense why you use third party inks, when you risk ruining your printheads.
I got a hp office jet pro. It has replaceable printheads. But the printheads cost more then what a new printer costs.
I wish we could go back to the old days
It was better in the old days when Hewlett-Packard would sell you a brand new printhead with every cartridge. They used to say back then that you could refill those cartridges 3 times before ruining the printhead. Now you only get one printhead for the life of the printer and when its shot, its shot.
The printers even run automated cleaning cycles that waste ink to keep that printhead alive
It makes no sense why you use third party inks, when you risk ruining your printheads.
I got a hp office jet pro. It has replaceable printheads. But the printheads cost more then what a new printer costs.
I wish we could go back to the old days
Thanks for your info. So, if I am only interested in high end AIO inkjet or mid range AIO laser printer, I better get a laser printer? High end injket printers cost similar or in some models more expensive than laser printers.
I recall that after leaving home for about a year, the ink clogged. I had to replace all inks while my Brother laser printer worked fine.
I recall that after leaving home for about a year, the ink clogged. I had to replace all inks while my Brother laser printer worked fine.
Always go with the laser printer. You get more sheets for the cost of toner and you are not fighting bad design (both physically and economically with the print heads). If you need color, save up for a color laser.
years ago we switched to a black and white laser over a color inkjet because of these same issues. It sounds like it's only gotten worse since. In reality we rarely if ever miss the ability to print color. Toner lasts forever even when you print infrequently, and even not accounting for the extra costs of ruined cartridges, print heads, or entire printers, the cost per page for laser is a fraction of that of ink.
Cost of inkjet printers is so low these days, they can only be considered disposable. I have a Canon InkJet that I looked after: solid built thing - had it for 7 years heavy use. Separate, replaceable, ink-tanks and heads. Still on original heads. Canon did not hoverer update their drivers since OSX Mavericks, and the thing is now obsolete!
Another vote for laser printer-- it works when I need it.
For those rare occasions I need color, I keep an inkjet (the printhead-in-cartridge style) with the cartridges removed, their printheads taped, and in a sealed bag keep them fresh.
For those rare occasions I need color, I keep an inkjet (the printhead-in-cartridge style) with the cartridges removed, their printheads taped, and in a sealed bag keep them fresh.
I would stick with lasers; they seem far more reliable than inkjets in my experience. Every inkjet I've bought over the last several years has developed one problem or another--the entire printer had to be thrown away. The printers themselves are so cheap they are disposable. An outrageous situation.
Laser IMHO. Also, I have found drivers on Apple's web portal for newer printers work perfectly for older printers, and identify the older printers properly too. I use an older Samsung ML2010 that still works fine, kicking out single-sided letter/legal docs - Apple's newest list does not include this Samsung, but the driver that does support the ML line works perfectly, so keep in mind that Apple seems to support some of my laser printers long after the manufacturer gives up on them...
Twenty years ago, laser printers printed in postscript. As a result, I could use it with the Mac, Windows, Linux, etc. without any problem. How about these days? I suppose laser printers these days can also print from Android and iOS devices. I am considering HP MFP M477 fdw or M277dw. Too bad color AIO laser printer that can also print in A3 papers are over $1000.
It looks like these days, most laser printers print at 600x600dpi while inkjets can print at much higher resolutions.
What does "600 x 600 dpi, Up to 38,400 x 600 enhanced dpi" mean in the case of HP LaserJet PRO MFP? Do we see noticeably better print quality in enhanced dpi mode?
BTW, what does it mean when "Native Office" is listed as one of the Print languages?
What does "600 x 600 dpi, Up to 38,400 x 600 enhanced dpi" mean in the case of HP LaserJet PRO MFP? Do we see noticeably better print quality in enhanced dpi mode?
BTW, what does it mean when "Native Office" is listed as one of the Print languages?
If you want to print photos and can only have one printer, get an inkjet.
If you don't need photos, get a laser.
Otherwise, get both.
If you don't need photos, get a laser.
Otherwise, get both.
Had a few inkjets but they always seemed to dry up just when I needed to print something, and the ink costs a small fortune.
Bought a cheap (brother) laser 7 years ago and it has been flawless since, mostly on off-brand toner cartridges..
I print about 100-200 pages a month and it never goes dry..
Probably got another 4 years or so before I need to replace the drum at which point I will probably get a new printer..almost the same price.
Never buying another inkjet again.
Bought a cheap (brother) laser 7 years ago and it has been flawless since, mostly on off-brand toner cartridges..
I print about 100-200 pages a month and it never goes dry..
Probably got another 4 years or so before I need to replace the drum at which point I will probably get a new printer..almost the same price.
Never buying another inkjet again.
The enhanced DPI is layering dots of different colors and/or sizes in the same place for a richer appearance. This uses a lot of ink.
Because ink bleeds an inkjet print will never look as sharp as laser. While inkjets are better for images. Laser is better for documents.
I think this is common knowledge these days. I don't know of anyone who thinks otherwise.
Looks like the poll results backs this up.
Looks like the poll results backs this up.
I have a samsung laser and an epson inkjet.
I am a printer engineer at our work.
I repairs customers printers.
Inkjets are crap.
However my own epson at home is wireless.
It is NEVER turned off.
this stops the cleaning cycle every time i turn it on and off so saves my ink.
It also keeps the head warm and prevents head blocking.
18 months never missed a beat!
But love my samsung colour laser.
Cheap to print (not to buy) at about 3p a sheet.
If you want an inkjet that lasts AND cheap to run....
Brother or Epson = everyday
Canon = photos
Compatibles for these printers are cheap (don't go too cheap as bad ink).
Brothers don't mind not being used for a bit as print head designed to work differently than the others as ink is pumped to head not gravity.
I am a printer engineer at our work.
I repairs customers printers.
Inkjets are crap.
However my own epson at home is wireless.
It is NEVER turned off.
this stops the cleaning cycle every time i turn it on and off so saves my ink.
It also keeps the head warm and prevents head blocking.
18 months never missed a beat!
But love my samsung colour laser.
Cheap to print (not to buy) at about 3p a sheet.
If you want an inkjet that lasts AND cheap to run....
Brother or Epson = everyday
Canon = photos
Compatibles for these printers are cheap (don't go too cheap as bad ink).
Brothers don't mind not being used for a bit as print head designed to work differently than the others as ink is pumped to head not gravity.
I've been extremely happy since I tossed our family's Epson inkjet and invested in a Brother laser printer.
Just don't get the cheapest one. With your volume, it's already in SoHo-territory and a cheap one will wear out rather quickly.
Brother / HP business-class printers are good choices. I think the Mac-support could be a bit better on the Brother-side, but I may be wrong - haven't bought a printer in a long, long time.
Brother / HP business-class printers are good choices. I think the Mac-support could be a bit better on the Brother-side, but I may be wrong - haven't bought a printer in a long, long time.