Laser Colour Printer...what to choose?

[lavaghman]

Hi,
need to get a new good quality printer. Was thinking about a colour laser but was also interested in some multi-function features (photocopy, fax, scanner). Is there a printer that combines all? Does anyone know of an article that compares/reviews new laser colour printers?

[Have very small network (3 PCs) currently have a B&W laser and small colour inkjet connected directly (USB & Parrell) into server PC]

 

[etarhan]

You'd better contact your photocopy equipment supplier. Almost all of them have a large portfolio of MFP's that can perform all the functions that you're interested in.

Good luck,
Engin

 

[zepper]

If you can afford it, a dye-sub printer from Xerox/Tektronics will give you the best color output of the laser-type machines. But remember, the toner or color blocks are very expensive - much more so than even ink jet. At least with ink jet you can do your own refills and save some money (I guess you can do that with laser too, but I'm not so familiar with doing that). I've not seen any 3rd party supplier for the dye-sub color blocks.
. If I had the money, I'd have a laser for b/w printing, a dye-sub printer for color, and use a scanner and fax modem to handle faxes/copies. As it is, I have a Visioneer 6600 scanner that cost me $25. (does surprising good scans) after rebate and a Canon i450 that cost less than $60 shipped to do it all. Can't touch my cost of ownership with any laser MFP as I do my own refills.
.bh.


He who dares not offend cannot be honest. -- Thomas Paine.

 

[kiddpete]

I just saw a review of a Xerox printer that is a solid ink machine. They claim it's very competitive with laser color printers. See

http://WWW.PCMAG.COM.

BTW, if you use an inkjet, use third party refills ONLY if you don't value the quality of the output. All credible sources, that I've seen, advise using both ink and paper from the printer's manufacturer. Third party inks have consistently tested as lower in quality, and prints made using them may fade as soon as 1-2 years.

 

[printerman]

solid ink from Xerox is like colouring with a crayon, also there is minute waste, but to get it repaired is ONLY Xerox and parts are hard to get.
HP & Lexmark is easy to obtained parts from wholesalers.
For MFC, the main cost is the consummables (ink) or a laser MFC, its the cost of the toner.

Roy Hanson
Technical Support
eco-toner systems, inc.
London, ontario, Canada
printerman@isp.ca