Color Laser Printer Review

[dogmama]

I know this thread came up a few months ago, but the answers didn't really help me. I'm looking for a great color laser printer for my new business that will be compatible with the latest MAC OS and not need new toner every other week.

Or, do you suggest that since I will mainly be printing black and white... I just use an ink jet for basic color proofs?

thank you
diane

[PrintDriver]

Laser printers eat toner. Same as inkjets eat ink.
I know it's not helpful. Have you done any cost comparisons on the number of prints you'll get from a laser cartridge compared to an inkjet?

Are the proofs you are doing just layout proofs are spot color proofs?

Do you require a printer that has network capability or are you connecting directly via USB?

What is your budget?

[urstwile]

Have you tried checking out Macworld's site? They frequently review products, including printers.

Lasers tend to be more efficient in terms of using toner than inkjets (at least home office type inkjets) are when using ink cartridges, so I think a laser is going to be more suited to your needs, ultimately.

[dogmama]

Honestly, color accuracy is not important for these proofs. I try to email clients pdf proofs or at least show them the proof on my screen and most people seem fine with that. I've had very, very few clients worried about the color on the final piece... I'm usually the one who is anal about it.

So, I don't want to spend too much. I recently saw an HP for $250 - but it was not compatible with Mac. The next model up is apparently usable, but I read somewhere that when you run out of one toner, you have to change them all at once. Toner conspiracy?

[urstwile]

Is it a laser printer?

[dogmama]

Yep, it was a color laser printer on sale... can't remember the model number.
(http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=771814)

[PrintDriver]

Well, you do need to read the specs on whatever you buy. Some laser or inkjet printers come with all in one cartridges (though black is usually separated from the CMY cartridge).

If you need network compatibility check out the Epson 4800 for an inkjet. The cartridges are individual and fairly large (network card is extra $). Printheads are not in the cartridges so printer can't sit idle for days on end or printhead may clog. For direct USB connection the lower priced Epsons with smaller ink cartridges bearing the printhead on the cartridge... Check out the 1400 (nice prints but ink cartridges are specific and hard to find in office supply stores) Or the 1800 (never tried it).

The only color laser I really know anything about is a rebranded Panasonic laser copier/printer. Too much $$$ for machine and supplies for a one-person office. Prints very nice and is Mac compatible though.

I gotta say, if you are comparing printers, start writing down model numbers, pages per ink cycle, cartridge costs and any other feature notes important to you. Saying you 'heard' the laser cartridges have to be replaced all at once isn't good enough.

[urstwile]

A Google search resulted in this:

Color laser printer review (http://www.consumersearch.com/www/computers/color-laser-printers/index.html). The Dell sounds like it might not be a bad option, and it works with Mac. Here's a CNET review of the Dell (http://reviews.cnet.com/laser-printers/dell-3100cn/4505-3159_7-31133334.html).

[PrintDriver]

The Dell doesn't print 11x17 if that is important.
4000 pages per cartridge.
$45 cartridge per color (black cartridge is a little cheaper)

It's things like this you need to note.

[Ovaltine]

Have you seen the ads Walgreens has put out? They offer cartrige refilling for $10, I'm pretty sure this is only an inkjet offer.

Perhaps if you're going to print mostly b/w you could have the laser for the b/w and the color as inkjet, especially if color isn't all that important to you. If I could (at home) I'd have my own Pantone color guide, color correct to the #s and just use the printouts to double check layout and other things.

[PrintDriver]

Have you ever read the Wilhelm reports on non-OEM inks?
Only use em if you aren't keeping (or selling) the prints.

[Ovaltine]

All I know is, the inkjet I have only cost $50 whereas the inkcartrages cost %20-$30 each, it's almost better at that point to buy a new printer every time. Pitiful. And I would never sell a home-printed printout, nor would I assume a home printed print (regardless where the ink came from) would truely stand the test of time. Pretty much I print them for the moment. They need not last longer than a month or two, and I don't know many inks that won't last that long.

[dogmama]

Thanks for all the tips... I'll keep looking and researching printers. I have to admit that I have an HP designjet 120 that I've hardly ever used. It's just too difficult. It was a Christmas present - I had asked my parents for a printer that would print 11x17 and that's what I got. Since then, I've learned to be very specific.

[milano.design]

I have the HP 9800 deskjet. prints 11x17 (13x19 sheet size too) I love it cept for the ink cost. i have the smaller HPDeskjet5650 too for smaller 8.5x11... i bought them for cheapness. Only problem if you are still using quark you will have RIP problems. Not so if using CS programs.

I used to use EPSON..1280 and i loved it but it was such a clunker.

I can get pretty color accurate if i use PHOTO paper and let the program handle the output as opposed to me manually playing around with things. Its good enough for design comp purposes....

[PrintDriver]

Ovaltine, you'd be surprised at what people do to make a buck.
Check out this link:
http://www.wilhelm-research.com/hardcopy/hardcopy.html
Chart is on page 7 (enlarged on page 9). There's your couple of months.
:p

[mojoprime]

yeah, PD's right, and what's worse is that some manufacturers state in the fine print that if the printer becomes damaged in some way through the use of non-OEM tanks, they won't repair it. everybody from consumer reports down to macworld says to use OEM carts. it sucks, but if you want consistent quality and your printer to last more than a week, it's the way to go. as far as the walgreen's refills go, there again is an issue: sometimes they leak, sometimes they clog and then you have to use half a tank to get them going again.

dogmama, if you're really not printing that much color, then the epson 4800 that PD said would be awesome; i'd love to have one of those. you might be able to get away with one of the less expensive epsons; the 1400 got good reviews, and i think the bigger ones, the r1800 and r2400 got great reviews as well and would let you print a full bleed and trim down. but tabloid printing size is really important, if you can afford to get it. i wish i had that capability now.