Colour Lasers - Please share your opinions

[AndyX]

Hi there group,

I'm currently considering the Brother 9420-CN, a multifunction laser.
The idea of a multifunction is particularly appealing, because that
parents are not technically adept in, well, basically any form of
computer use (even email is confusing, but we're steadily improving).

Despite it's rather hefty upfront, I've managed to convince them to stop
buying ridiculously cheap inkjets that cost hundreds of dollars to
maintain (ink), and spontaneously die. So finally they will buy a laser
and I can spend less time servicing dead cheapie inkjets.

The brother unit can be had for $950 AU at present, which seems
reasonable. However, I've been researching consumables and stumbled
across a few negative reviews.

1: I've read about the OPC belts not lasting, or simply failing. Also,
as these are considered consumables, they also have a useless 90 day
warranty. What the hell is an OPC belt? I'm well versed in laser
printing tech in general, but I still haven't been able to find out what
this unit does! That aside, are these claims reasonable or simply a few
unlucky customers that have gotten lemons?

2: The reviews I've seen don't seem to indicate this unit as
particularly cost effective (based on OPC belts, waste cartridges etc.).
Since that's pretty much my incentive for going laser (despite the much
better prints), it's a bit of a stonewall. Toner prices aren't too
ridiculous, if you shop around and/or use refills/3rd party cartridges.

If indeed this model is simply a heap of crap - can you suggest a better
option? I'm straying away from Canon's offerings, because the only
comparably priced units seem to use some kind of single cartridge
function. An idea for which the designer should be punished, with
prejudice.

 

[William R. Walsh]

Hi!

Color Laser Printers have their advantages, not the least of which are high
yield (compared to most inkjet printers), the fact that toner doesn't dry up
and speed. It has been said that the output doesn't match up with the
quality of inkjet printers when photos and some other things are printed. I
have a Samsung CLP-550n and have not noticed that problem. The prints are
amazing.

1: I've read about the OPC belts not lasting, or simply failing. Also,
as these are considered consumables, they also have a useless 90 day
warranty. What the hell is an OPC belt?

Well, I *think* the OPC belt is a sort of intermediary between laying the
print down on paper and the toner transferring to the drum from the
cartridge. Most color laser printers lay down one color at a time, and of
the ones I've seen, this is done on a belt like surface (also called the
"transfer belt") which then runs against the paper to transfer the image
there.

I've not seen one fail out of several replacements, but the belt in the drum
assembly of a Color LaserJet 2500n did get dirty after a toner spill. I had
to clean it in order to get the printer working right again. My Samsung
printer is still running on its original belt.

2: The reviews I've seen don't seem to indicate this unit as
particularly cost effective (based on OPC belts, waste cartridges etc.).
Since that's pretty much my incentive for going laser (despite the much
better prints), it's a bit of a stonewall. Toner prices aren't too
ridiculous, if you shop around and/or use refills/3rd party cartridges.

Supply and consumable cost certainly has to be considered. As an example,
some printers have a waste toner bin that can be emptied and used again.
Again, my Samsung is like this. They'd have you replace the bin, but I see
no reason why the contents could not be poured into a suitable container and
discarded.

If indeed this model is simply a heap of crap - can you suggest a better
option?

I'll bet you can guess what I'm going to suggest. A Samsung color laser
printer. The output quality on mine is phenomenal, and supplies are
competitively priced for what you get. There's no comparison between the
operating cost for the Color LaserJet 2500n that I also have. The Samsung is
simply cheaper to operate and has better yield from its cartridges. It also
has a built in duplexer, which is a wonderful feature.

My only complaint is that while it does support PostScript, printing using
the PS driver is dog-slow. This is not a problem with the PCL drivers, nor
is it a problem on an Intel-based Macintosh (!!!!).

William

 

[measekite]

Hi!

Color Laser Printers have their advantages, not the least of which are high
yield (compared to most inkjet printers), the fact that toner doesn't dry up
and speed. It has been said that the output doesn't match up with the
quality of inkjet printers when photos and some other things are printed. I
have a Samsung CLP-550n and have not noticed that problem. The prints are
amazing.

snip

Everyone knows when to use a Laser and when it is better than an
inkjet. But for photos all of the reviewers all say that inkjets are
better. Two companies who make both types of printers (HP and Canon)
are both in agreement on this.

 

[Dan_Musicant]

On Wed, 23 Jan 2008 06:01:43 GMT, "William R. Walsh"

:My only complaint is that while it does support PostScript, printing using
:the PS driver is dog-slow. This is not a problem with the PCL drivers, nor
:is it a problem on an Intel-based Macintosh (!!!!).
:
:William

So, do you find yourself using the PCL drivers most of the time? My
current B&W 14 year old HP4M seems as fast in PS as PCL, so I use PS
(the 8 ppm is nothing to rave about, but I don't print that much). Color
is enticing, especially if photos could out satisfactorily. I'd really
be getting it for photos. I'm afraid of inkjets, the consummables and
fact they dry out, the fact that the printers may stop working
correctly. The HP4M has been incredibly trouble free! Comments
appreciated.

Dan

 

[AndyX]

Well, I *think* the OPC belt is a sort of intermediary between laying the
print down on paper and the toner transferring to the drum from the
cartridge. Most color laser printers lay down one color at a time, and of
the ones I've seen, this is done on a belt like surface (also called the
"transfer belt") which then runs against the paper to transfer the image
there.

That makes plenty of sense, and also explains why I've never heard of
them before - since they'd only be useful in a colour printer.

Supply and consumable cost certainly has to be considered. As an example,
some printers have a waste toner bin that can be emptied and used again.
Again, my Samsung is like this. They'd have you replace the bin, but I see
no reason why the contents could not be poured into a suitable container and
discarded.

Exactly what I'd do.

I'll bet you can guess what I'm going to suggest. A Samsung color laser
printer. The output quality on mine is phenomenal, and supplies are
competitively priced for what you get.

The duplexer sounds nice, and useful. Which particular Samsung model are
you talking about? If it's a matter of not being able to source one for
a reasonable price, is the above model worth it? It's $950 AUD from a
local umart - which is an attractive price given that elsewhere it's
around the $1,200 mark. 3rd party (I suspect) toner cartridges go for
$~98 each, and genuine cartridges $200 apiece. Even at $200 each, for a
quoted 6,000 pages at 5% (colour) and 10K for black - it's not
completely outrageous.

Oh - and is the Samsung offering a multifunction? The parents are fairly
hooked on the idea of MFDs.


Thanks for your assistance, too.

 

[Jerry]

Oh - and is the Samsung offering a multifunction? The parents are fairly
hooked on the idea of MFDs.

Thanks for your assistance, too.

Here's a search results page from ResellerRatings for Samsung
multifunction color lasers:

http://shop.resellerratings.com/SF-...ultifunction-color_printer/name-Color+Printer

Jerry