David Jenkins
|
| posted on 7/4/13 at 11:54 AM |
|
|
Laser printer?
I'm looking for input from the Locost collective...
I want an inexpensive laser printer for playing around - mostly to make resist masks for PCB etching (and other more decorative stuff).
However - I would like it to work with Linux (but not 100% essential as I do have a Windoze machine), and ideally it would work over Ethernet, so I
started to look at HP kit. Realised that doesn't come cheap, so I'm starting to look at other makes. Trouble is, I have not idea what
makes are good or bad.
Here's my requirements:
Black only - no requirement for colour.
Printing only - don't need an 'all-in-one' machine.
Works with linux (but not essential).
Connects via Ethernet (but I do have a wifi access point otherwise), or I can use USB.
Basic criteria:
Cheap. This is for playing, not day-to-day use.
Toner cartridges not a total rip-off (some have been 90% of the cost of the printer).
I used to have a Panasonic laser printer that was truly excellent, in that you could fill it with toner for £15 a shot up to 5 times before you needed
to replace the toner drum, but that died of old age some time ago. I now run a HP Photosmart 2575 ink-jet printer that's good for almost
everything I do - but it can't do the PCB resist thing. 
Any recommendations? Or makes to avoid?
[Edited on 7/4/13 by David Jenkins]
|
|
|
|
|
mookaloid
|
| posted on 7/4/13 at 12:23 PM |
|
|
Depends on how much you want to spend but here's a tip - the cheap samsung ones look good, however when they get to a certain page count on the
drum (something like 10k sheets) they stop working until you put a new drum kit in which costs more than a new printer............
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
|
|
|
David Jenkins
|
| posted on 7/4/13 at 12:25 PM |
|
|
That's the sort of inside info I'm looking for... 
|
|
|
jossey
|
| posted on 7/4/13 at 01:47 PM |
|
|
i use a samsung printer and really struggled with getting a driver to work for linux.... would not print pdf docs.
Thanks
David Johnson
Building my tiger avon slowly but surely.
|
|
|
geoff shep
|
| posted on 7/4/13 at 02:30 PM |
|
|
Same here - I have a colour inkjet but wanted a cheap and cheerful laser for B&W and with water resistant ink and got one of these. It works from
Mac or windows and I have it working over wifi at the mo. Unfortunately seems to have gone up - it was £45 when I bought it, but it's a
start.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004R5AU1S
|
|
|
David Jenkins
|
| posted on 7/4/13 at 02:32 PM |
|
|
I made an executive decision - just placed an order for a Brother HL-2250DN - separate toner and drum cartridges to save running costs, duplex
printing, linux drivers available AND it can be connected on my home ethernet. Just about everything I wanted! It's not 'business
quality' and maybe wouldn't last long in a busy office, but it'll be fine for home use.
Oh - and it was £72 + delivery via a supplier on Amazon.
|
|
|
