Home Printer - EcoTank v Laser ??
Home Printer - EcoTank v Laser ??
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ramblo93

Original Poster:

184 posts

126 months

Wednesday 6th January 2021
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Currently have an el cheapo Cannon inkjet (several years old) that constantly tells me it is running out of ink (e.g. says it's low on black, i change the black, it says it's low on colour, i change the colour the black doesnt work). Often get streaks when printing. How i haven't thrown it out of the window yet i do not know.

I like the idea of very cheap ink replacement of the eco tanks but also believe they can suffer form clogged nozzles etc like regular inkjets. The reliability of lasers appeals and I would get a B&W one but the wife insists we need colour. This seems to ramp up the costs of replacement toners significantly. Also laser seem to be very big in size which the wife isn't keen on.

Whatever we get must have wifi printing. Typical home use obviously at the minute with lots of printing for home schooling.

Any advice/recommendations?



OMITN

3,070 posts

122 months

Wednesday 6th January 2021
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Went through a bit of this over the summer.

I went for the hybrid option: bought a B&W laser printer and have retained our inkjet for occasional colour printing (e.g. schoolwork).

We have a dedicated study at home (currently occupied by my wife - I’m on a self built desk on the landing!). The laser sits under the study desk and is connected to the router by ethernet. However, the model I bought also does wireless and AirPrint.

nyt

1,939 posts

180 months

Wednesday 6th January 2021
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I bought a discontinued laser printer with cheap clone toner.
A Dell 1320 from memory. Has been working fine for years.

I got fed up with inkjets blocking because I'm only an occasional user.

ETA: Make sure that there are up-to-date drivers available

Edited by nyt on Wednesday 6th January 10:50

seyre1972

3,068 posts

173 months

Wednesday 6th January 2021
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Yes agree Laser Printers are larger in size - however dependent upon age of your child(ren) I bought a Colour Laser printer as/when my daughter was in year 6 of school. She's now in year 13, and other than a set of spare cartridges (bought at same time as printer) only consumable has been paper.

The amount of printing they do as they hit senior school ramps up significantly. So while you may save space/money in the short term - the £450 I paid 7 years ago has worked out quite well.


I got HP Colour Laserjet Pro MFP M475 - I'm sure it has been replaced with a newer/upgraded version (look out for Cash Back deals HP do quite often) I just missed out on a £75 rebate - so in theory would have only cost £375 for 7 years usage !!

otherman

2,266 posts

195 months

Wednesday 6th January 2021
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I've been happy with my ecotank, had it three years now. You do need to use them at least every 3 days or so. Cheap to run.

chip*

1,846 posts

258 months

Wednesday 6th January 2021
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See my recent thread on a similar quest:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Our printing needs are low and mostly geared towards my girls school stuff (we update photos of activities into her journal for 'Circle time' to help her with confidence building in public speaking, dealing with questions etc..and she's only 3.5 years old in kindergarten!!). I randomly plucked a number out the air for my original budget, but eventually spent under £300 for a Brother laser printer, primarily because it will simply print without any inking issue for my irregular use.

Mr Pointy

13,414 posts

189 months

Wednesday 6th January 2021
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ramblo93 said:
I like the idea of very cheap ink replacement of the eco tanks but also believe they can suffer form clogged nozzles etc like regular inkjets. The reliability of lasers appeals and I would get a B&W one but the wife insists we need colour. This seems to ramp up the costs of replacement toners significantly. Also laser seem to be very big in size which the wife isn't keen on.
If you buy a laser printer than has compatible toner cartridges available then you will drastically reduce your printing costs. Samsung or Brother are good options. Mr chip* picked up a Brother DCP-L3510CDW (I think) & it seems a good buy for £275:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07HZPFBBP

chip*

1,846 posts

258 months

Wednesday 6th January 2021
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I eventually bought the Brother 3550 model, which has the convenient sheet feeder. Stock was very low / non existent back in Nov20, so I bought from Curry's (not my preferred supplier) . Quick check, and I see the 3550 is now readily available from several popular websites.

https://www.viking-direct.co.uk/en/brother-dcp-l35...


ramblo93

Original Poster:

184 posts

126 months

Tuesday 13th April 2021
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I eventually got the Brother L3550CDW. Very happy with it as it just works.