Hi! I’m looking for a Home printer (monochrome, preferably laser)
Looking for recommendations for a black-and-white printer based on a few criteria. Suggestions appreciated.
Best cheap (new) black/white printer?
Best printer for color and black&white prints
Do PCL and PostScript Matter in a Laser Printer?
Do you need HP's PCL or Adobe's PostScript? Support for one or both of these two page-description languages (PDLs) is critical for those who need it, but otherwise irrelevant. PCL was once standard for business users, and is still required in some cases, but is not usually needed. PostScript can be essential for pre-proofing commercial print jobs, particularly in concert with desktop-publishing applications that won't work without it. It also guarantees that when printing a document, page breaks and line breaks will be the same when printing on any PostScript printer, and also the same as you saw on screen, assuming the program was set to use a PostScript driver. (Converting it to PDF format serves the same purpose.)
Generally speaking, if you're in a position to buy a printer for your business, you should already know if you need one or the other of these PDLs. If you don't need them, you can often find an identical or similar model for less from the same manufacturer, minus only the PCL or PostScript support. Don't pay extra for it if you don't need it.
Ready to Buy the Right Laser Printer for You?
We trust that our list of the best lasers we've tested, plus this guide's advice, will make your choice easier. Laser printers have much to offer businesses of all sizes, from sole proprietorships to large corporations. They are worth considering, for some folks, for home use as well.
We update these picks often, but also check out our printer category page for the very latest reviews we've posted, including many models that didn't make the cut here but are also worth considering. And for more printer buying advice and reviews, check out our top printer picks overall, the best inkjet printers, and our picks for best all-in-one printers.
Will a Laser Printer Cost More or Less Than a Comparable Inkjet?
As surprising as it may seem, a laser printer can be less expensive in the long run than a comparable inkjet. You really have to look at the total cost of ownership to figure that out, though.
A common complaint about lasers is that laser toner cartridges are expensive compared with inkjet cartridges. For inexpensive models, the cost can even exceed the cost of the printer, particularly for color lasers if you need to replace a full set of cartridges (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toners). But if you compare the cost per page, rather than the price per cartridge, you'll find the running cost for cartridge-based lasers is actually less than for comparable cartridge-based inkjets. In addition, most lasers are designed to last longer than most inkjets, so you can amortize the initial cost of the printer over more pages as well.
Be aware that tank-based inkjets can beat lasers on running cost, which complicates any broad-brushstroke comparison of costs between the two technologies. The tank-based models cost more than equivalent inkjets that use cartridges, but they let you use far cheaper ink, which you typically pour from bottles into large tanks in the printer. There are also a few lasers that take a similar approach, selling toner in bulk "injectors" rather than in cartridges.
Ultimately, focusing on initial price only or on running costs only when comparing printers is likely to lead to the wrong conclusion about which will be cheaper. You need to take both into account by estimating the total cost of ownership over the printers' lifetimes. How to Save Money on Your Next Printer: Weighing the Cost of Tank vs. Cartridge Ink gives a step-by-step example of how to compare tank and cartridge inkjets. The same approach will work with any two printers. And don't forget to factor in the possible savings from ink subscription plans if any are available for a printer you're considering.
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I was recommended “brother” printers. Does anyone have a recommendation for a cheap simple monochrome laser printer? (Preferably with Wi-Fi connectivity) (Made for home use, which means it may sit for weeks not used and then used for 50 pages in one time)
Thanks!!!!!
I'm not all that knowledgeable about printers, so forgive my foolishness in advance. I live in Australia, Melbourne. I am looking to purchase a new printer based on a few factors. These include:
-Black and white printing (color not necessary).
-Reliable brand.
-Should have warranty.
-The cost of cartridge shouldn't be extremely pricey (from what I'm aware, some printers sell for cheap, but REALLY jack up the cartridge prices), assuming these are still being used.
-Having a scanner would be a plus, though this is a fairly flexible part of things, and a drastically cheaper option without a scanner may be a better choice.
-Should work with both mac and windows.
I don't need something with tons of incredible features, or extremely fast printing (slow is totally fine), or whatever. I primarily need something that will work when I need it to, won't jam frequently, won't constantly ask to have something replaced when I've already replaced it, and something where it won't dry out because I haven't used it in a while. Budget items are fine and all, but I certainly don't want to buy something that'll start crapping out on me and continually have issues after a few months. I guess I'm looking for the AK-47 of printers, if that makes sense.
I suppose that having a direct USB connect would be a minor bonus to avoid potential connection issues, but that's a very minor point.
If anyone has any suggestions, I'd appreciate hearing them.
Thank you.